First Vaillant heat pumps roll off the line in Derbyshire
Vaillant has unveiled a multi-million-pound heat pump production line at its Derbyshire HQ, making it the first manufacturer to produce both heat pumps and high-efficiency boilers in the UK.
The new line was officially opened by John Forkin, MD of Marketing Derby, who was joined by Pauline Latham, MP for Mid Derbyshire. The £4 million investment in low-carbon production capabilities reinforces the company’s commitment to ensuring that all UK homes can be heated via the most effective technology for that property, a heat pump or boiler.
The line in Belper will produce Vaillant’s aroTHERM plus air-to-water heat pump, which uses the natural refrigerant R290 with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of three. It can achieve hot water flow temperatures up to 75°C so that the water is stored in the cylinder at a useable temperature without the need for a back-up heater.
Henrik Hansen, managing director of Vaillant Group UK & Ireland, says: “We know there is no single solution when it comes to heating our homes in the UK as the breadth of property type is diverse. Heat pumps are a here-and-now technology that can offer decarbonisation benefits: however, the future is likely to be made up of a mix of heat pump, hybrid and boiler technologies. Ultimately, we want to help consumers feel in a position to make an informed choice about what will work for both their lifestyle and their property.”
