Vaillant uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A

Product detailed description

Vaillant uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A – enamelled indirect-fired domestic hot water cylinder, 150 l

Vaillant uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A is a floor-standing indirect-fired domestic hot water (DHW) cylinder with a volume of 150 litres, belonging to the exclusive "exclusive" product line by Vaillant. This version differs from the classic uniSTOR VIH R design mainly in appearance – it has a glossy white casing matched to the design line of the ecoTEC exclusive and turboTEC exclusiv boilers, so in a boiler room, bathroom or utility room it works as a coherent, aesthetically matched system rather than an additional technical add-on. The cylinder is intended for central preparation of domestic hot water (DHW) in combination with a wall-mounted or floor-standing gas boiler, with heating taking place indirectly – through a built-in heat exchanger (heating coil) connected to the boiler's heating water circuit. The water intended for consumption therefore never comes into direct contact with the boiler's flue gas circuit, which increases hygienic safety as well as the lifespan of the whole system.

Thanks to its compact dimensions (height approximately 955 mm, diameter 590 mm), the cylinder is also suitable for smaller utility rooms, pantries, cupboards next to the bathroom, or kitchen units with a dedicated space for technology. The 150-litre volume covers normal operation for a household of 2 to 4 people with standard daily hot water consumption (showering, dishwashing, kitchen sink), and during short-term peak draw-off the cylinder can deliver a significantly higher flow of hot water than would correspond to its volume alone – thanks to fast reheating via the heat exchanger.

Construction and internal equipment

The inner tank of the cylinder is made of quality steel sheet with an enamelled (glazed) inner surface, which protects the steel from corrosion caused by permanent contact with water. As additional corrosion protection, a built-in magnesium protective anode is used, which is gradually consumed during normal operation and should be checked and, if necessary, replaced as part of regular servicing – this significantly extends the lifespan of the entire tank. Inside the cylinder there is a heating coil with a heat exchange surface of approximately 0.9 m² and a heating water volume in the coil of around 6.2 litres, which, at a heating water flow rate of 1.6 m³/h and a pressure drop of approximately 5.0 kPa, ensures a continuous output of around 640 l/h of hot water (corresponding to a heat output of approx. 26 kW) and a peak output of up to 195 l per 10 minutes when drawing off hot water at 45 °C with a cylinder temperature of 60 °C. The performance rating N_L reaches a value of approximately 2.0, which in practice means comfortable simultaneous use of two draw-off points (for example a shower and a kitchen sink).

The thermal insulation of the cylinder in the exclusive version uses a combination of hardened PU foam or vacuum insulation panels with a very low thermal conductivity coefficient, thanks to which the standby heat loss is at a very low level (roughly around 1 kWh/day) – the cylinder therefore holds its temperature for a long time even without the need for frequent reheating, which directly translates into lower operating costs, especially outside the heating season, when the boiler runs only to prepare hot water.

Technical characteristics

Assembly and installation

The uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A cylinder is installed as a floor-standing unit, usually placed directly next to or near the heat source. Connection to a wall-mounted or floor-standing Vaillant boiler is made via the heating water circuit (inlet and outlet R1"), and many Vaillant boilers have specialized accessories available (connection sets, connecting pipes) that simplify and shorten installation. Cold and hot water supply lines are connected via R¾" connections, and optionally a circulation pipe R¾" can also be connected for immediate availability of hot water even at more distant draw-off points (for example in larger apartments or family houses with multiple bathrooms).

During installation, make sure the cylinder stands on a flat and sufficiently load-bearing floor, with enough space for service access to the flange with the heating coil and to the magnesium anode (for regular inspection and possible replacement). It is also recommended to install a safety valve dimensioned for the maximum operating pressure of the cylinder (1.0 MPa) and to ensure drainage of any water leakage from the safety valve (for example into a drain). In areas with harder water, it is advisable to also consider water softening or treatment, which reduces the risk of limescale build-up in the hot water circuit and extends the lifespan of both the cylinder and the boiler.

The cylinder is also ready to be fitted with optional accessories – for example an electric heating coil for models with a volume of 300 l and above (for the smaller 150/200 l range, an electric coil is not typically used, since reheating is provided by the boiler itself), or thermostatic mixing valves and control accessories that allow precise setting and time control of hot water preparation.

Who is this cylinder suitable for

The 150-litre volume represents the mid-range within the uniSTOR VIH R range (120/150/200 l) and is a suitable choice for households with 4 or more residents, or for apartments and smaller family houses with one to two bathrooms, where occasional simultaneous draw-off also occurs (for example a shower and a kitchen sink at the same time). Thanks to fast reheating via a powerful heat exchanger, the cylinder can also handle repeated draw-off within a short time, which is typical especially during morning and evening peaks. The "exclusive" version is intended primarily for customers who also place emphasis on the visual appearance of the utility room or bathroom and want the cylinder to match the design of modern Vaillant exclusiv boilers.

Compatibility

The cylinder is designed to work together with wall-mounted as well as floor-standing Vaillant gas boilers (e.g. the ecoTEC, ecoTEC exclusive, turboTEC, atmoTEC ranges), and its independence from electrical energy (heating itself takes place purely via the heating water circuit) means the cylinder works reliably even during a power outage – the only condition is that the heat source is running. The cylinder can also be connected to already existing heating systems with minimal piping modifications, which is particularly appreciated during renovations of older boiler rooms, where only the heat source is changed and the cylinder is newly added.

Maintenance and care

Regular maintenance of the cylinder consists mainly of checking the condition of the magnesium protective anode (recommended once a year, or according to the instructions of the service technician and the water hardness in the given location), checking the tightness of the flange seal and the safety valve, and if necessary desludging the bottom of the cylinder, where mineral deposits from the water supply network can accumulate over time. In areas with harder water, more frequent descaling of the hot water circuit should be expected. The outer casing only needs to be cleaned with a damp cloth without aggressive cleaning agents, so as not to damage the glossy lacquered surface characteristic of the exclusive line.

Why choose this particular model

uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A combines the proven, years-tested construction of the uniSTOR VIH R range (enamelled steel tank, magnesium anode, quality insulation) with an attractive design that you will especially appreciate if the cylinder is visibly placed in the living area of the house or in a modern bathroom, not just hidden away in a utility room. Another advantage is independence from electrical energy during the heating process itself, fast reheating thanks to a powerful heat exchanger, and Vaillant's many years of experience manufacturing hot water cylinders in Europe.

Comparison with other volumes in the uniSTOR VIH R range

The uniSTOR VIH R range is manufactured in three basic volumes intended for wall-mounted and floor-standing boilers – 120, 150 and 200 litres, with the exclusive version available for the smaller volumes of 150 and 200 l. The 120 l cylinder is more suitable for smaller apartments with 2 – 3 people and one bathroom draw-off point, while the 200-litre version is recommended for larger households with 5 or more people or for properties with two bathrooms, where hot water is regularly drawn off simultaneously at several points. Choosing the 150-litre model represents a practical compromise between dimensions (and therefore space requirements in the utility room) and hot water supply comfort – it is the most frequently sold volume in this range, especially for family houses with four residents. For significantly larger buildings, apartment blocks or facilities with high peak consumption (for example small guesthouses, medical practices, catering facilities), larger volume floor-standing cylinders from the uniSTOR VIH R 300/400/500 range are intended, which have a different, cylindrical construction and a significantly higher continuous as well as peak output.

Energy efficiency and operating costs

Indirect-fired cylinders such as the uniSTOR exclusive VIH R 150 A have one key advantage over electric water heaters in terms of operating costs – the energy for heating hot water is supplied by the same heat source (gas boiler) that is used for heating the household anyway, achieving higher overall efficiency, especially during the heating season. Low standby heat losses (roughly around 1 kWh per 24 hours) mean that even when the cylinder is kept on standby (without current draw-off), the energy losses are negligible compared to the household's total consumption. In practice, this means that the operating costs of hot water preparation are determined mainly by the efficiency of the boiler itself and the quality of the pipe insulation, not by the cylinder itself. We also recommend adding weather-compensated control or time programming of hot water preparation (for example via the boiler's controller), which allows unnecessary reheating to be limited during night hours or when the family is not at home – this measure can reduce hot water preparation costs by several percent per year without any loss of comfort.

Operational safety

The cylinder must always be equipped with a functional safety valve corresponding to the maximum operating pressure of 1.0 MPa, which protects the tank from excessive overpressure during water heating (water expands when heated). The outlet from the safety valve must be led to a safe location (for example a floor drain or sink), because during normal operation the safety valve may occasionally drip a small amount of water. It is also recommended to set the maximum hot water temperature on the boiler's thermostat to a reasonable level (typically 55 – 60 °C), which is optimal both from a hygienic point of view (prevention of Legionella bacteria growth) and an energy point of view, while a mixing tap or thermostatic mixing valve at the outlet ensures a safe water temperature at the draw-off point and protection against scalding.

What is included in the delivery

The delivery of the cylinder includes the enamelled tank itself with an already built-in heating coil and magnesium anode, thermal insulation with an outer casing, an immersion sleeve for a thermometer/temperature sensor, and connection sockets with marked threads. The safety valve, any connection sets for a specific boiler type, an expansion vessel on the hot water side (if required by the local water supply network), and a mixing tap are usually ordered separately as optional accessories according to the specific installation configuration and local regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions