Dortmund. The high-efficiency pump „Wilo-Stratos ECO“ has been given the  overall mark „excellent“ by the German consumer’s association „Stiftung Warentest“. It prevailed as the best of the test in energy efficiency and the price-performance ratio compared to all other heating pumps. The results can be read in the recent  issue (No. 9/2007) of the magazine „test“.

“Stiftung Warentest“ was founded in 1964 by the German Bundestag and since then it has been testing products and services  by means of scientific methods in independent institutes and publishes the results in its magazines.

Free planning of the test, buying test samples anonymously and the renouncement of advertisements guarantee the independence of „Stiftung Warentest“ and give the consumers the great feeling that they can rely on quality judgements. This also justifies the high significance which the test results have in Germany.

In the current heating pump test the Wilo-Stratos ECO obtained the best of all evaluations concerning energy efficiency with the mark 1.3. It is confirmed by “Stiftung Warentest” that within a period of 20 years in „typical single-family house“ applications the product produces electricity costs of only 238 Euros. This implies that the long-term electricity costs of the Stratos ECO are about 23 percent below the costs of the pump which made the second place; compared to the model on the last rank even 80 percent less electricity costs are achieved. Also in „handling“, i.e. the  operating manual, installation and commissioning, operation and maintenance, the Wilo product was given the mark „excellent“.

Regarding the pumps with energy efficiency class A, „Stiftung Warentest” states a „middle price“ for the Wilo-Stratos ECO of 360 Euro, whereas the prices of the two competitor products, which were also tested, amount to 375 or 450 Euros.

Compared to all heating pumps tested, the Wilo-Stratos ECO, with its purchase and operating costs under 600 Euros, is the most economical product after 20 years.

Wilo appreciates the fact that „Stiftung Warentest“ roused awareness among consumers, as this will continue the acceleration of the market penetration of the energy and cost-saving high-efficiency pump also in terms of the CO2 reduction. The reference value table contained in “test” is especially helpful:  it compares the old energy-guzzling pumps, which cause electricity costs amounting to 100 to 150 Euros per year in a three-person household with 520-800 KWh, with the new high-efficiency pumps, which charge the household budget only with 11 to 29 Euros annually with a consumption of 60-150 KWh. Therefore „Stiftung Warentest“ recommends not to wait until the old pump does not work anymore in order to invest into the new pump generation. Dirk Geißler, Wilo Head of Marketing, comments: „We consider the results of this famous test institute as a real gift and will use them together with the heating experts in skilled craft firms for a market offensive.“  The advantages of  saving electricity costs and CO2 reduction are also in the centre of attention of a current marketing package, with which the skilled craftsmen can advise their customers systematically at the start of the heating season. The material can be ordered at www.wilo.de or downloaded free of charge.

The results of the heating pumps test can be read at www.stiftung-warentest.de or at www.wilo.de.