Vaillant fleece supplementary insulation for VIH R 120 – 200/A cylinders, to increase energy class to A+

Product detailed description

Vaillant fleece supplementary insulation for VIH R 120 – 200/A cylinders, to increase energy class to A+

The Vaillant fleece supplementary insulation is designed for stationary domestic hot water cylinders of the VIH R series in the "/A" variant, in the volume range of 120 to 200 litres, and its purpose is to raise the energy class of the cylinder on the label by one more level – from the original class A to the highest commonly stated class A+. Unlike the shaped rigid insulation cover (designed for a different variant of the series, "/B"), this insulation is designed as a fleece, i.e. a soft, slip-on or wrap-around textile layer, which is applied directly onto the outer casing of the "/A" variant cylinder as an additional layer beyond its basic factory insulation.

Difference between fleece insulation and a rigid insulation cover

While the rigid shaped insulation cover (intended for the "/B" variant of this cylinder series) takes the form of a separate, aesthetically finished cover with its own surface treatment, the fleece supplementary insulation is designed as a soft, flexible textile layer that precisely adapts to the shape of the outer casing of the "/A" variant cylinder. This structural difference results from the fact that the individual variants of the VIH R series ("/A" and "/B") slightly differ in the outer design of the cylinder casing, and the manufacturer has therefore designed a separately optimised type of supplementary insulation for each variant.

The fleece material has the advantage of adapting well even to a slightly uneven or irregular cylinder surface (for example around connections or inspection openings), while still providing an effective additional thermal barrier. This type of insulation is also easy to handle both during installation and during any temporary removal for servicing.

Why go as far as class A+

Class A+ represents one of the highest commonly achieved levels of energy efficiency for stationary hot water cylinders on the market, and is relevant primarily for customers who place maximum emphasis on minimising the heat losses of their cylinder – whether for purely economic reasons (long-term energy savings for a cylinder in almost continuous operation), or due to the need to demonstrate the highest possible energy class of the installed device, for example within the stricter energy performance requirements for a new building, or within the conditions of a specific subsidy or certification programme.

Installing the fleece insulation

Installing the fleece supplementary insulation involves wrapping it around the outer casing of the cylinder according to the manufacturer's installation instructions, usually fastened with a hook-and-loop closure or similar simple attachment method, which also allows for future removal without damaging the material. As with the rigid cover, it is also essential during installation to ensure that the insulation does not cover the cylinder's rating plate, inspection openings, or access points to connections and sensors, which must remain accessible for future servicing.

Compatibility

This fleece supplementary insulation is intended exclusively for the "/A" variant of the Vaillant VIH R cylinder series in the volume range of 120 to 200 litres. It is not interchangeable with the rigid insulation cover intended for the "/B" variant – both products differ in shape and technology and correspond to the different outer design of the respective cylinder variant. Before ordering, it is therefore essential to verify exactly which cylinder variant you have, to ensure correct compatibility and the declared effect on the energy class.

Cumulative effect with other energy-saving measures

The reduction of cylinder heat losses thanks to this supplementary insulation works in synergy with other measures to reduce household running costs – for example, correctly setting the cylinder temperature (not unnecessarily high beyond actual need), regular maintenance preventing limescale build-up on the heat exchanger (which would otherwise reduce heat transfer efficiency), or combining the cylinder with a renewable heat source. The sum of these individually modest measures can, over the years of operation, bring a noticeable saving in the overall costs of energy associated with hot water preparation.

Maintenance

The fleece insulation does not require any special maintenance; if the surface becomes dirty, it can be gently wiped with a damp cloth if needed. During servicing of the cylinder (for example, an annual inspection), we recommend carefully unfastening or folding back the insulation at the point where access is needed, according to the installation instructions, and after completing the service, refastening it correctly in its original position so that its thermal insulation function is maintained over the entire surface of the cylinder.

Why choose original Vaillant fleece insulation

The original Vaillant fleece insulation is designed precisely to fit the outer design of the "/A" variant of the given cylinder series, and its thermal insulation parameters are verified by the manufacturer to actually lead to the declared increase in energy class to A+. A generic alternative insulation of unknown origin would not guarantee the same, declarable result, nor the precise shape adaptation to the given cylinder variant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Broader context – progressively increasing the energy class of cylinders in the Vaillant range

For its VIH R series of stationary cylinders, Vaillant offers several levels of supplementary insulation solutions, tailored to the individual variants and volumes of the cylinders – from the basic design, through the rigid insulation cover that increases the class to A (for the "/B" variant), to this fleece supplementary insulation that increases the class up to A+ (for the "/A" variant). This graduated range allows customers to tailor their investment in additional insulation to the actual need and expected operating period of the cylinder – for long-term planned operation (ten years or more), choosing the highest available class can be a worthwhile investment, which pays off over time through lower energy costs.

When deciding between the individual levels of supplementary insulation, we recommend basing your decision primarily on the exact type and variant of your cylinder (since the individual products are not interchangeable) and on the expected pattern of operation – cylinders in almost continuous operation (for example, in combination with a heat pump or in installations with year-round even consumption) benefit more significantly from the maximum available insulation class than cylinders with occasional, intermittent use. Our team will be happy to help you choose the right solution for your specific case.

The physical principle of cylinder standby heat losses

To understand why additional insulation can have real economic significance over years of operation, it is useful to recall the basic physical principle – a hot water cylinder kept at a set temperature (typically around 55 to 60 °C) constantly transfers part of its heat to the cooler surrounding space by conduction, convection and radiation through its outer casing, regardless of whether water is currently being drawn off. This heat loss is proportional to the temperature difference between the water in the cylinder and its surroundings, the surface area of the cylinder, and the thermal resistance (insulating capability) of its casing. Doubling the thickness or improving the quality of the insulating layer, while maintaining the same temperature difference, directly reduces the amount of heat escaping per unit of time – this is exactly the principle behind this fleece supplementary insulation, which adds an additional layer of thermal resistance to the cylinder's basic factory insulation.

Practical recommendation for new and existing installations

For a new installation of a VIH R cylinder in the "/A" variant, we recommend considering ordering this fleece supplementary insulation together with the cylinder, so that the installation company can apply the insulation in a single visit, at the same time as connecting and commissioning the cylinder. For an existing, already operating installation, additional installation is likewise possible and does not require the cylinder to be shut down for an extended period – the usual time needed to wrap and secure the insulating layer according to the installation instructions is sufficient, and this can be carried out, for example, during a regular annual service inspection without the need for a separate service intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions – additional

Summary – for whom this investment makes the most sense

The fleece supplementary insulation for increasing the energy class to A+ is a sensible choice primarily for customers who plan long-term operation of their VIH R cylinder in the "/A" variant (ten years or more), for installations with almost continuous maintenance of water temperature (for example, in combination with a heat pump or solar system), or for projects where it is necessary to demonstrate the highest achievable energy class of the installed device. For a typical household installation with occasional consumption, this investment may be less of a priority, but it still brings a real, albeit more modest, reduction in heat losses over the entire lifetime of the cylinder.

If you have any doubts about compatibility with your specific cylinder model, or about the suitability of this investment for your specific case, do not hesitate to contact our team – we will be happy to provide you with a free consultation before ordering, based on the exact type designation of your cylinder.

The relationship between cylinder thermal insulation and overall heating system efficiency

Although the hot water cylinder is, from the perspective of the overall heating system, just one of several components, its heat losses directly affect the overall energy balance of the household – the heat that escapes from the cylinder in standby mode must be supplied again by the heat source (boiler, heat pump or other source), representing additional fuel or electricity consumption beyond the actual need for hot water draw-off. In systems where the heat source is a high-efficiency condensing boiler, the cylinder's heat loss can be one of the relatively more significant sources of inefficiency compared to the heat source itself, which already achieves efficiency close to its theoretical maximum. Investing in better cylinder insulation is therefore a logical step when trying to maximise the overall energy efficiency of the entire hot water preparation system, not just the heat source itself.

Recommended ordering procedure

When ordering this fleece supplementary insulation, we recommend proceeding as follows: first verify the exact type designation of your VIH R cylinder, including the variant designation ("/A"), on the rating plate or in the documentation; then state this information when ordering or contact us before confirming the order; after the insulation is delivered, carry out the installation according to the enclosed instructions, or as part of a regular service inspection with a qualified company. This procedure ensures that you receive exactly the compatible part and that its installation goes smoothly the first time, without the need for additional exchange or a complaint about an incorrectly chosen variant. Our team is ready to help you with these steps at any time during the ordering process, by phone, email, or in person at our store.