Heat pumps added to boiler manufacturing

Vaillant Industrial UK will begin manufacturing heat pumps alongside its UK range of high efficiency boilers from 2022 at its site in Belper, Derbyshire.

Vaillant currently makes around 500,000natural gas and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) appliances at the Belper plant for the UK market.

From 2022, the capacity will be increased to include the aroTHERM plus air-to-water heat pump. Launched in 2020, the aroTHERM plus uses the natural refrigerant R290 with a Global Warming Potential of just three. Capable of achieving higher flow temperatures of up to 75^o, the aroTHERM plus is fast becoming one of the most popular heat pumps in the UK market.

Vaillant believes that no one single technologywill address the decarbonisation challenge. A combination of hydrogen gas boilers, heat pumps and hybrid systems along with controls and internet connected solutions will be key to meeting the Government’s targets.

This diversification in the market brings new opportunities as well as challenges for installers and consumers. Vaillant believes there must be an urgent increase of support for installers in the industry to expand their skills to accommodate heat pumps if the Government’s target of 600,000 heat pumps sold per annum by 2028 is to be met.

Supporting this need for training and upskilling on heat pump technology Vaillant offers vocational courses to support the transition to new heating technologies as well as industry leading product training and CPD with its blended learning approach to knowledge about the decarbonisation of heat. This can be carried out online and in one of its six Centres of Excellence and other partner training locations across the UK.

Klaus Jesse, managing director for Vaillant Group UK and Ireland commented: “As a leading heating manufacturer, we take our responsibility to support the decarbonisation challenge very seriously. Having been at the forefront of research and development of high efficiency gas appliances as well as heat pumps, Vaillant is also investing heavily in future hydrogen and green gas technology. There will not be one technology which singularly addresses the climate challenge, and it’s important that both the Government and the heating industry recognise and educate the market on the benefits of each technology, based on the needs of the customer and the property.”

Business & Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The announcement from Vaillant is a significant boost to our plans to kick-start a heat pump manufacturing base in the UK so we can develop a range of new low-carbon technologies, create jobs and meet our all-important target of installing 600,000 heat pumps each year by 2028.”