Boosting innovation – Johann Vaillant Technology Center

Vaillant Group produces around 2 million gas heating appliances per year, which are used by our customers in over 60 countries. The quality of the gas varies from country to country. Nevertheless, the appliances have to generate heat reliably all over the world. The extensive functional tests of gas heaters also include the admixture of corrosion-accelerating gases or the enrichment with hydrogen in increased concentration. For operational lifetime testing, the duration of the test cycle amounts to several months.

Every product technology undergoes over 100 different tests at the Vaillant Group. In the process, knowledge is also gained about material properties, noise emissions or electromagnetic compatibility. The highly modern test rigs and special laboratories in the Test Center allow the Vaillant Group to check, examine and certify all stages of product development, from the prototype phase to series production. Everything under one roof.

At the Vaillant Group, we monitor every single step in the product development process. For this purpose, the Test Center has nine different laboratory areas and over 180 test stands. These include a drop test room, a wind test room and also the sprinkler laboratory for testing protection against moisture. Tests are carried out both according to standard procedures and in specifically set-up test configurations.

The Vaillant Group is developing heating appliances for the use of hydrogen. Operational tests are currently being carried out in the Test Center with appliance models from available product series and from older boilers ranges. Among other things, the admixture of hydrogen in different quantities is being tested. At the same time, the Vaillant Group development teams are testing a series-ready appliance with 100 per cent hydrogen – as another technology with the potential to contribute to a low-carbon future.

The Vaillant Group exposes its products to extreme conditions to ensure their quality, safety and efficiency. A heat pump, for example, undergoes over 100 tests during its product development process. Among them is the reliability of its function under all climatic conditions. In the climate chambers, temperatures from –20 °C to +30 °C and humidity levels from 30 per cent to 95 per cent are simulated. This prepares the unit for use in any location in the world.