Vaillant aroVAIR VA 2-015 CN – console fan coil 1.5 kW (cooling/heating)

Product detailed description

Vaillant aroVAIR VA 2-015 CN is the smallest member of the aroVAIR VA 2 CN range of console (parapet) fan coil units, designed for supplementary cooling and heating of smaller rooms in systems with an air-to-water heat pump. Code 0010035091 denotes the lowest output class of this series, with a cooling capacity of 1.50 kW and a heating capacity of 1.57 kW at the highest fan speed – an ideal ratio for bedrooms, children's rooms, smaller offices or cottages, where high output is not needed but quiet operation and unobtrusive dimensions are important.

What a fan coil is and why choose it instead of a classic air conditioner

A fan coil unit is a device that delivers heat or cold not via its own compressor, but by means of water supplied from an external source – most often an air-to-water heat pump such as the Vaillant aroTHERM. Water flows through a three-row copper heat exchanger with aluminium fins inside the unit, and a built-in fan with a direct-current (DC/EC) motor forces it to flow into the room. Thanks to this, the VA 2-015 CN fan coil needs no refrigerant, no outdoor unit and no piercing of the wall for refrigerant piping – it only needs to be connected to the house's existing heating/cooling circuit via two G3/4" water connections.

This makes the range an ideal solution especially for households that have had an air-to-water heat pump installed and want to gain the option of active cooling in summer in addition to underfloor heating – without having to install a separate split air-conditioning unit. Since it is a two-pipe design, the same heat exchanger serves for supplementary heating in winter and for cooling in summer, depending on the water temperature supplied by the source.

Technical parameters of the VA 2-015 CN

The following values come from the manufacturer's official technical data sheet (Vaillant, document aroVAIR VA 2-015 CN … VA 2-070 CN, Annex A – Technical data) and apply to test conditions according to EN 1397: cooling at a water temperature of 7 °C inlet / 12 °C outlet and a room air temperature of 27 °C dry bulb / 19 °C wet bulb; heating at a water temperature of 45 °C with ΔT 5 K and a room air temperature of 20 °C.

• Cooling capacity (total): 0.92 kW at low fan speed / 1.06 kW at medium speed / 1.50 kW at high speed
• Sensible / latent cooling capacity (at high speed): 1.14 kW sensible, 0.36 kW latent (dehumidification)
• Heating capacity (total): 0.92 kW / 1.07 kW / 1.57 kW (low / medium / high speed)
• Water flow rate for cooling: 180 l/h / 210 l/h / 310 l/h
• Water flow rate for heating: 180 l/h / 210 l/h / 310 l/h
• Pressure drop for cooling: 5.84 kPa / 7.63 kPa / 15.1 kPa
• Pressure drop for heating: 5.84 kPa / 7.63 kPa / 15.1 kPa
• Air flow rate: 150 m³/h (low) / 170 m³/h (medium) / 255 m³/h (high)
• Fan power input: 8 W / 9 W / 15 W
• Rated current: 0.18 A
• Sound pressure level: 21 dB(A) / 24 dB(A) / 34 dB(A)
• Sound power level: 34 dB(A) / 37 dB(A) / 47 dB(A)
• Power supply: 220–240 V, 1 phase, 50 Hz
• Fan type: direct-current (DC) motor, rotary fan with forward-curved blades, 1 piece
• Heat exchanger: 3 tube rows, tube diameter 7.94 mm, max. operating pressure 1.6 MPa
• Hydraulic connection inlet/outlet: G 3/4"
• Outer diameter of condensate outlet: 18.5 mm
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 790 × 495 × 200 mm
• Net weight: 18 kg
• Installation type: console (parapet), optionally also ceiling-mounted
• Room temperature operating range: 17–30 °C for both cooling and heating

Who the VA 2-015 CN is suitable for

This smallest output level in the VA 2 CN range is designed for rooms of up to approximately 15–18 m² with a standard ceiling height and standard heat loss/gain – typically bedrooms, children's rooms, studies, guest rooms, smaller office cubicles or cottage rooms. Thanks to its low noise level (from 21 dB(A) at the lowest speed), it is also suitable for rooms used for sleeping – practically inaudible operation at low speed will not disturb night-time rest, while for faster cooling or heating a higher speed can be selected.

If you are planning heating and cooling for several rooms from one air-to-water heat pump, the VA 2-015 CN is the logical choice specifically for the smallest spaces in the house, while for a living room or kitchen-dining area you would typically reach for a higher-output model from the same series (VA 2-035 CN, VA 2-045 CN or VA 2-070 CN).

Mounting and installation

The VA 2-015 CN is normally installed as a console (parapet) unit under a window, against the wall, on short legs or brackets – the accessories for this range also include separate legs VAZ-015-070-F1 for free-standing installation directly on the floor, if you do not want to mount the unit on the wall. Alternatively, ceiling (suspended) mounting is also possible if the layout of the room requires it – in that case minimum clearances from the ceiling and surrounding obstructions must be maintained for free air intake and discharge.

The hydraulic connection is made on the supply and return branches with G3/4" internal thread, and it is recommended to fit shut-off valves (ball valves) for possible future servicing without having to drain the whole circuit. The solution also includes a condensate drain with an outer diameter of 18.5 mm – in cooling mode, moisture from the air condenses on the heat exchanger at lower water temperatures, and the condensate tray must have a properly sloped drain to the sewer or a collecting tank. The 230 V electrical connection requires a separate circuit with a residual current device according to the applicable standards of the given country; the actual control of operation (mode, fan speed, required temperature) is handled by the room controller, which is connected by cable to the unit's terminal block.

In a two-pipe connection, where one water circuit alternately supplies hot and cold water depending on the season, it is advisable to also add a set with a 3-way switchover valve (available for the 1.5 to 4.5 kW output range as a separate accessory), which automatically directs water into the fan coil or bypasses it when the mode is switched – the controller can thus manage the transition between heating and cooling directly at the heat source without operator intervention.

Compatible accessories

For the VA 2-015 CN unit, we recommend purchasing a room controller according to the required level of comfort:

• VA 1-WC DC – a simple analogue dial controller with Heating/Cooling/OFF modes and 3 fan steps (MIN/MED/MAX), suitable for basic operation without the need for electronic setting.
• VA 2-WC C – an electronic wall-mounted controller with 7 fan steps and Auto/Heating/Dry/Cooling modes, for finer control of comfort.
• VA 2-WC D – a digital controller with display, Auto/Heating/Dry/Cooling/Fan operating modes and 3 fan steps + automatic mode, the highest operating standard in this range.

For free-standing installation, add the VAZ-015-070-F1 legs, and for a two-pipe system with common heating/cooling switchover, consider a set with a 3-way switchover valve for the 1.5 to 4.5 kW output range.

Maintenance and care

Fan coil units are undemanding devices, but regular maintenance extends their service life and maintains the declared output and noise level:

• Cleaning the air filter – it is recommended to check and clean it at least once a season (more often with intensive use or in dustier environments); a clogged filter reduces the air flow and the unit's output.
• Checking the condensate drain – before the summer season, check that the condensate drain is clear so that the tray does not overflow during cooling.
• Bleeding the circuit – after first start-up and after any intervention in the hydraulic system, bleed the heat exchanger; an air bubble in it reduces heating/cooling output and can cause flow noise.
• Visual inspection of the heat exchanger fins – clean clogged or damaged fins with a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with low suction power, avoid bending them mechanically.
• Fan motor service – the direct-current (DC) motor is maintenance-free and requires no lubrication; in the case of unusual noise or vibration, contact service.

Why choose the VA 2-015 CN

If you are looking for supplementary cooling for a smaller room connected to an existing air-to-water heat pump and do not want to invest in a separate split air-conditioning unit, the VA 2-015 CN offers a simple, quiet and space-saving solution from a manufacturer whose heat pump you may already have installed at home. A unified system from a single manufacturer also simplifies any future communication with service and guarantees the compatibility of control across the whole heating/cooling system of the household.

Comparison within the VA 2 CN range

The entire Vaillant aroVAIR VA 2 CN range of console fan coils consists of four output levels that share the same design philosophy (two-pipe design, three-row heat exchanger, direct-current DC fan, three speed steps), but differ in size, output and number of fans:

• VA 2-015 CN (this product) – 1.50/1.57 kW cooling/heating, 1 fan, dimensions 790 × 495 × 200 mm, weight 18 kg – smallest rooms up to approx. 15–18 m².
• VA 2-035 CN – 3.50/3.50 kW, 2 fans, dimensions 1240 × 495 × 200 mm, weight 25.5 kg – an average living room or medium-sized bedroom.
• VA 2-045 CN – 4.30/4.30 kW, 2 fans, dimensions 1240 × 495 × 200 mm, weight 25.5 kg – a larger living room or rooms with a higher heat loss.
• VA 2-070/075 CN – 7.35/8.05 kW, 3 fans, dimensions 1360 × 591 × 200 mm, weight 32.5 kg – large open-plan spaces, open-plan kitchens or commercial applications.

Choosing the correct output level should be based on the heat loss (in winter) and heat load (in summer) of the specific room – if oversized, the unit will indeed reach the required temperature faster, but will cycle more often and dehumidify the air less efficiently during cooling; if undersized, it may not be sufficient to maintain a comfortable temperature on extreme days. If in doubt, it is advisable to consult the designer of the heating/cooling system, who will also take into account the parameters of the source (heat pump) and other appliances connected to the circuit.

Pipe insulation and energy efficiency

In cooling mode, it is essential that all supply and return pipes to the VA 2-015 CN unit are routed in condensation-resistant thermal insulation (e.g. synthetic rubber with a closed cell structure), otherwise the pipework outside the unit may sweat and surrounding structures may be damaged by moisture. It is equally important to correctly size the circulation pump in the heat pump circuit so that it ensures the declared water flow through the heat exchanger (180–310 l/h depending on the selected fan speed) – insufficient flow reduces the actually achieved cooling and heating output compared with the catalogue values.

In terms of operating costs, a fan coil combined with an air-to-water heat pump is generally significantly more economical than a stand-alone split air-conditioning unit, because it does not use its own compressor – electricity consumption is limited to powering the fan (8–15 W depending on the selected speed for the VA 2-015 CN model), and the main cost item is the operation of the heat pump itself, which runs anyway for heating or hot water preparation.

Frequently asked questions