Under the exclusive five-year contract, Vaillant will install between two to five 12kW aroTHERM plus units at each new store, depending on the site size. To further enhance efficiency, Vaillant’s sensoCOMFORT heating controls will also be integrated.
Each heat pump installation will be commissioned and serviced by Vaillant under a 10-year service agreement, ensuring long-term operational performance. The agreement also includes the deployment of aroTHERM plus units at Aldi’s eco-concept store in Leamington Spa. Opened in September 2022, the store was designed to reduce carbon consumption, incorporating sustainable building materials and features aimed at cutting life-cycle emissions by up to two-thirds.
George Brown, National Property Director for Aldi UK, highlighted the company’s ongoing sustainability efforts:
“As a forward-thinking supermarket, we are continually looking at ways we can improve efficiencies while also reducing our impact on the planet. Aldi UK has been carbon neutral since 2019, which has seen us transition to natural refrigerants. Recently, we invested in adding chiller doors to our new and refurbished stores, which will reduce each store’s energy consumption by approximately 20%. However, this meant we needed a sustainable heat source in our new sites to replace the existing heat-generating fridge packs. As a sustainable low-carbon option, the decision to specify Vaillant’s aroTHERM plus was made due to the natural refrigerant in the units.”
The aroTHERM plus heat pump, launched in 2020, uses the natural refrigerant R290, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of just three. This results in a 60% reduction in refrigerant charge and a carbon footprint of only 0.83kg—equivalent to a 15km car journey. The unit is also capable of achieving hot water flow temperatures of up to 75°C without requiring a backup heater.
Steve Cipriano, Commercial Director for Vaillant, emphasized the role of heat pumps in supporting sustainability goals:
“The move towards a net zero future continues to gather pace, and decarbonising heat within the commercial setting will play a significant part in achieving this ambition. As a leading sustainable business, we have been working alongside Aldi since 2016, when our aroTHERM heat pump was installed at its headquarters in Warwickshire. As Aldi continues its sustainability journey, we’re delighted to be working with them on the next phase of this project, which will see all new stores fitted with our new generation of heat pumps, the aroTHERM plus.
“The installation of our aroTHERM plus pumps within the retailer’s recently launched eco-concept store serves as a shining example of how low-carbon heating technology, combined with other sustainable building materials, is delivering the retail stores of the future.”
This latest partnership aligns with Aldi’s broader commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency as the retailer continues expanding across the UK.