Vaillant circulation pump for VIH R uniSTOR 120 – 200 l

Product detailed description

Vaillant circulation pump for VIH R uniSTOR 120 – 200 l – higher hot water supply comfort

The Vaillant circulation pump for VIH R uniSTOR cylinders (order number 0020171469) is an original supplementary accessory for indirectly heated stationary hot water cylinders of the VIH R uniSTOR line with a volume of 120 to 200 litres. The package includes the circulation pump itself together with the complete connecting accessories and nickel-plated pipes needed to connect the hot water circulation loop, which significantly increases hot water draw-off comfort in larger households or at draw-off points located further from the cylinder.

What is hot water circulation and why you need it

Without a circulation loop, after every longer period of non-use of a draw-off point (for example a bathroom far from the cylinder), the cooled-down water in the distribution pipe first has to drain out before truly hot water starts flowing – meaning a loss of both water and time with every use. A circulation pump solves this problem by ensuring continuous or time-controlled circulation of hot water between the cylinder and the distribution pipework, so hot water is available virtually instantly at every draw-off point, without unnecessarily letting cooled-down water run down the drain.

What exactly is included in the package

• A circulation pump designed for connection into the hot water circulation loop of VIH R uniSTOR cylinders
• Complete connecting accessories required to connect the pump to the cylinder system
• Nickel-plated pipes for an attractive and durable connection between the pump, the cylinder and the distribution pipework
• Connecting and sealing material required for complete installation

Which cylinders the pump is intended for

The circulation pump is designed for the entire range of Vaillant VIH R uniSTOR indirectly heated stationary hot water cylinders with volumes of 120, 150 and 200 litres (model line VIH R 120/6 B to VIH R 200/6 B and related variants). These cylinders are heated indirectly via a heat exchanger connected to the boiler circuit and are suitable for family houses, apartment buildings with multiple dwelling units, as well as smaller businesses with higher hot water consumption (for example accommodation facilities, restaurants).

When a circulation pump is most beneficial

• Larger houses with multiple bathrooms or draw-off points located far from the utility room with the cylinder
• Multi-storey houses where draw-off points on the upper floor are significantly far from the cylinder located in the basement or on the ground floor
• Households that require maximum comfort of immediate hot water availability without waiting and without unnecessary water wastage
• Businesses with regular, frequent hot water draw-off from multiple points simultaneously or shortly after each other

Conversely, in smaller flats or houses where the cylinder is located in close proximity to the main draw-off point (for example a bathroom right next to the utility room), a circulation pump may not be essential, since the waiting time for hot water is minimal even without it.

Installation

• The pump is connected into the hot water circulation loop between the VIH R uniSTOR cylinder and the distribution pipework leading to individual draw-off points
• The nickel-plated pipes included in the package are used to connect the pump to the cylinder, ensuring both aesthetic and functional consistency with the other cylinder connections
• Electrical connection of the pump is usually made via a time switch or a thermostatic switch that limits pump operation to periods of actual need (for example morning and evening hours), reducing both electricity consumption and unnecessary heat losses from the circulation pipe outside these periods
• After connection, the system must be thoroughly vented and correct water circulation in the loop verified
• Installation should be carried out by a qualified technician authorised to install plumbing and electrical equipment

Energy implications of circulation operation

A hot water circulation loop brings significant comfort, but it also increases the system's heat losses, since the circulating water cools down as it flows through the pipework and the lost heat must be continuously replenished by the cylinder. That is why we always recommend connecting the circulation pump via a time switch or thermostatic control that limits its operation to periods of actual need (typically the morning and evening peak), instead of continuous 24-hour operation. Properly set circulation can provide almost the same comfort as continuous operation while consuming significantly less energy.

Compatibility

The pump is designed to work directly with Vaillant VIH R uniSTOR cylinders in the 120 – 200 litre volume range. For other cylinder models or volumes (for example older model lines or cylinders from other manufacturers), we recommend verifying compatibility with a technician before ordering, as connection dimensions and the position of the connection ports may differ.

Maintenance

• Check the pump's functionality and free running once a year
• Verify the tightness of the connections and the nickel-plated pipes
• Check the functionality of the time switch or thermostatic control that limits pump operation
• In case of harder water, consider installing a softening cartridge, which protects the pump and the cylinder's internal pipework from limescale deposits
• In case of unusual noise or reduced circulation flow, check the pump or pipes for possible fouling by deposits

Why choose an original Vaillant pump

The original circulation pump is dimensionally and hydraulically adapted specifically to work with VIH R uniSTOR cylinders, including complete connecting accessories and nickel-plated pipes that visually and functionally match the cylinder's other connections. Instead of combining a universal pump with custom-adapted connection dimensions, you get a ready-made, proven solution with guaranteed compatibility.

Overview of VIH R uniSTOR cylinders

The circulation pump is compatible with all the cylinder volumes listed above, as the connection dimensions remain the same across this model line.

Frequently asked questions

• Is the pump also suitable for smaller cylinders (for example VIH Q 75)? No, this pump is designed specifically for stationary VIH R uniSTOR cylinders in the 120 – 200 litre volume range, not for smaller wall-mounted cylinders.
• Does the pump have to run continuously? No, we recommend connecting it via a time switch or thermostatic control that limits pump operation to periods of actual need, thereby reducing both energy consumption and heat losses.
• Does circulation increase water consumption? On the contrary, properly functioning circulation reduces water wastage, as it eliminates the need to let cooled-down water drain from the pipework before truly hot water arrives.
• Does circulation affect the water temperature in the cylinder? The circulation loop slightly increases the cylinder's reheating demand due to heat losses in the circulation pipe, but with properly time-limited pump operation, this effect is minimal and the comfort benefit significantly outweighs the additional energy consumption.
• Does the package include the pipes needed for connection? Yes, the package includes nickel-plated pipes and complete connecting accessories.
• Is a softening cartridge needed when installing the circulation pump? It is not mandatory, but with harder water we recommend it to extend the lifespan of both the pump and the cylinder itself.
• What is the warranty on this product? We provide a standard statutory warranty of 2 years from the date of sale on the VIH R uniSTOR circulation pump.
• Can the circulation pump be retrofitted to an existing installation? Yes, as long as the VIH R uniSTOR cylinder is prepared for connection of a circulation loop (has the appropriate port available), the pump can be retrofitted without major interventions in the existing system.

How indirect heating works in VIH R uniSTOR cylinders

Cylinders of the VIH R uniSTOR line are so-called indirectly heated – inside the cylinder tank there is a heat exchanger (coil or finned) through which hot water from the boiler circuit flows, transferring its heat to the domestic water in the cylinder. This concept allows heating of a large volume of hot water independently of the boiler's immediate output, since the cylinder acts as a thermal storage – the boiler can gradually reheat the cylinder while the consumer draws hot water from the already heated supply. The circulation pump complements this concept with rapid distribution of the already heated water to individual draw-off points without unnecessary waiting.

Impact of circulation on comfort in different types of households

In households with a single bathroom core located close to the utility room with the cylinder, the benefit of a circulation pump is limited, as the pipe distance is short and the wait for hot water minimal even without circulation. Conversely, in houses with multiple floors, a separate kitchen and bathroom on opposite sides of the layout, or in larger dwelling units with multiple bathrooms, a circulation pump can significantly shorten the waiting time for hot water at every draw-off point – from several dozen seconds to virtually instant hot water flow after opening the tap.

Recommended ways to control the circulation pump

• Time switch – the simplest solution, which limits pump operation to pre-set hours (for example 6:00 – 8:00 and 17:00 – 22:00), when hot water draw-off is most likely
• Thermostatic control – the pump starts only when the temperature in the circulation pipe drops below a set threshold, thus responding directly to the actual cooling state of the water in the loop
• Combination of a time switch and thermostat – the most efficient solution, which limits pump operation to a defined time window while also responding within it to the actual water temperature, minimising unnecessary pump operation outside periods of need

Impact on cylinder lifespan and water quality

Properly functioning hot water circulation can, if incorrectly set (for example continuous 24-hour operation without time limitation), also have an undesirable side effect in the form of increased wear and increased energy consumption for reheating the cylinder. That is why it is important to always connect the circulation pump with suitable control that takes into account the actual hot water consumption pattern in the given household. With harder water, we also recommend considering the installation of a softening cartridge, which reduces the risk of limescale build-up in the circulation pipe and on the pump's impeller, thereby extending its lifespan as well as that of the cylinder itself.

Summary

The circulation pump for VIH R uniSTOR is a practical supplementary accessory that significantly increases hot water supply comfort in larger households and businesses with Vaillant stationary cylinders in the 120 – 200 litre volume range. Thanks to a complete, pre-matched package including connecting accessories and nickel-plated pipes, it represents a simple and reliable way to achieve immediate hot water availability at all draw-off points in the house.

Material design

The nickel-plated pipes included in the package provide not only an attractive, glossy appearance matching the cylinder's other connections, but also higher corrosion resistance compared to untreated steel. The pump itself is made of materials resistant to the temperatures and pressures common in domestic hot water pipework, with seals suitable for long-term contact with drinking water.

Recommendations when planning a new installation

When planning a new installation with a VIH R uniSTOR cylinder, we recommend considering the need for a circulation pump already at the design stage, as retrofitting circulation pipework into a finished building can be more complicated than building it in directly during construction or renovation of the pipework. In larger, multi-storey houses, it is also worth considering the routing of the circulation pipe so that it covers all the main draw-off points in the house, not just the one closest to the utility room.

Related accessories for VIH R uniSTOR cylinders

In addition to this circulation pump, atria.sk also offers other accessories for VIH R uniSTOR cylinders – for example an insulating decorative cover for stationary cylinders, additional fleece insulation to improve the cylinder's energy class, or a hot water temperature sensor. When carrying out a complete cylinder installation, we recommend considering which of these accessories your specific project requires, to avoid additional purchases during installation and to be able to carry out the complete cylinder installation in one go, with all necessary components prepared in advance directly on site.