What Acova does

Acova is a French designer and manufacturer of electric, central-heating, and mixed (mixte) radiators and towel warmers, founded in 1964 as Ateliers de Construction de Vaux Andigny and credited with creating the decorative-radiator category in France. The company operates as a commercial brand within Zehnder Group France, headquartered in Courcouronnes (Évry), and is produced at the group's Vaux-Andigny factory in Picardie with logistics handled through a Saint-Quentin platform. Its core technical differentiator is the proprietary ThermoActif fluid — a sealed high-performance mineral oil heated by an electrical resistance that circulates through the radiator body to deliver radiant heat without drying air or requiring maintenance — paired with an in-house regulation ecosystem that includes the IHD remote control, the Acova Connect Bluetooth smartphone app (iOS/Android), and the Premium System power-line controller using the X2D protocol. Product surface spans flagship designer lines (Manava, Mara, Fassane Spa, Kapla, Kazeane, Cala) and an extra-flat collection (Versus, Plume, Nuage, Alizéa Spa, Folio Glass), with 46 color options and configurations from 400W to 1000W+.

The business is fundamentally a hardware-sales model with a channel-first go-to-market. Primary distribution is a domestic French network of certified heating installers and contractors — supported by a 'Trouver un pro' locator tool, the Zehnder Campus training facility, trade-show presence, and the 'Tutos d'Arno' video tutorial series — supplemented by DTC channels including the acova.fr e-commerce boutique (parts and accessories) and physical showrooms. Pricing is unit-based with flagship electric towel warmers and radiators priced roughly €668–€950 HT per unit, plus a 2026 promotional 'color at €1' offer. Revenue streams are (1) radiator and towel warmer hardware sales, (2) spare parts and accessories (with 5-year post-discontinuation support), and (3) indirect revenue via installer specification. End customers are split between individual residential homeowners (primary), professional installers/contractors (primary), and collective/social-housing operators (secondary). The brand holds EcoVadis Gold (2026, top 5%, 81/100, up from Silver in 2022), NF certification on Fassane Spa, and a gender-equality index of 89/100 for Zehnder Group France in 2025.

Name

Acova

Legal name

Acova

Website

https://acova.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Acova is a French designer and manufacturer of electric, central-heating, and mixed radiators and towel warmers, founded in 1964, operating as a brand of Zehnder Group France and selling primarily through a national installer network, showrooms, and DTC e-commerce to residential homeowners and professional contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Heating Equipment

NAICS

Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334), Small Electrical Appliance Manufacturing (335210)

SIC

Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430), Electric Housewares & Fans (3634)

akta.pro primary industry

Heat Pump & Smart HVAC Controller Integration (HSAOANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

HVAC Parts & Supplies Retail (Thermostats, Filters, Ducting) (CRAIADAI), Smart Thermostats & HVAC Controls Retail (CRAIAMAC)

Keywords

• Electric radiators
• Towel warmers
• Central heating
• Bathroom heating
• Decorative radiators

Headquarters

HQ city

Courcouronnes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Radiator and Towel Warmer Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling radiators (electric, central heating, and mixed) and towel warmers in various designs, colors, and power ratings. Products are sold through professional installers, showrooms, and direct e-commerce.
2. Spare Parts and Accessories: Revenue from selling replacement parts and accessories including valves, control systems, and programming equipment. Spare parts are maintained for 5 years after product discontinuation.
3. Professional Installation Services: Indirect revenue through a network of professional installers who purchase and install Acova products for end customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Acova manufactures and sells decorative electric, central heating (water-based), and mixed radiators and towel warmers for residential bathrooms, offering a portfolio of designer models including Manava, Mara, Fassane Spa, Kazeane, Cala, Versus, Plume, Nuage, Alizéa Spa, and Folio Glass in 46 colors and multiple formats. Products integrate proprietary ThermoActif fluid heating technology, IHD remote controls with Bluetooth, and the Acova Connect smartphone app for programmable, energy-efficient operation. The range is complemented by spare parts, accessories, and the Premium System for centralized power-line-communication programming.

Product overview

Acova offers a comprehensive portfolio of designer radiators and towel warmers (sèche-serviettes) for residential heating applications. The product range comprises two main categories: (1) Towel Warmers (sèche-serviettes) available in electric, central heating (eau chaude), and mixed (mixte) versions, and (2) Electric Radiators. Key product lines include Manava (with original épi design), Fassane Spa (classic asymmetric/symmetric design), Kazeane, Cala, and the extra-flat collection (Versus, Plume, Nuage, Alizéa Spa, Folio Glass). Acova provides regulation and control accessories including the IHD remote control system and Acova Connect Bluetooth smartphone app, along with the Premium System for power line communication programming. Products are manufactured in the European Union and can be customized with 46 color options from the Acova color chart, including hammered copper and silver finishes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Acova Connect: Mobile application for controlling and programming Acova electric radiators and towel warmers via Bluetooth.
• IHD
• IHC
• TimerProg

Products and services

• Manava towel warmer Designer towel warmer with original 'épi' (spike) design, available in symmetric and asymmetric styles in electric and central heating versions, in 46 color options (including hammered copper and silver). Electric versions feature IHD regulation and Acova Connect Bluetooth app control.
• Mara electric radiator Connected vertical electric radiator combining aesthetic design with sustainable heating. Features smart connectivity for programmable temperature control and energy management.
• Fassane Spa towel warmer Classic-design towel warmer available in symmetric and asymmetric versions in electric, central heating, and mixed configurations. Features flat horizontal elements with integrated programming via TimerProg, IHC, and IHD regulation systems. NF-certified (NF 089 perf 2 1329).
• Kazeane towel warmer Designer towel warmer available with IHD (Integrated Heating Display) regulation. Electric version with remote control programming, contemporary design with color customization options.
• Cala towel warmer Towel warmer with IHC (Integrated Heating Control) regulation system, available in symmetric and asymmetric electric versions with Bluetooth connectivity via Acova Control app. Features programmable temperature settings and energy-saving modes.
• Versus towel warmer Extra-flat towel warmer designed for space optimization in small bathrooms. Electric version with remote control programming, steel construction, smooth surface for easy cleaning.
• Plume towel warmer Extra-flat towel warmer with slim profile for compact bathroom installations. Steel construction with customizable colors and dimensions.
• Nuage towel warmer Extra-flat towel warmer with cloud-inspired design for contemporary bathrooms. Available in central heating version, steel construction with design-focused aesthetics.
• Alizéa Spa towel warmer Extra-flat towel warmer with spa-inspired design. Electric version with programmable temperature control, steel construction for durability and aesthetic appeal.
• Folio Glass towel warmer Extra-flat towel warmer with glass design elements. Electric version combining minimalist aesthetics with heating functionality.
• Kapla towel warmer Designer towel warmer with highly graphic, original flat-tube design. Available in central heating version, notably in black finish.
• Altaï Spa towel warmer Electric towel warmer with programmable features and spa design. Compatible with GF (radio frequency) regulation system for remote programming.
• Forana + Air towel warmer Electric towel warmer with integrated fan (soufflant) for rapid heat-up and boosted drying. GF regulation system for programming control.
• Kadrane Spa towel warmer Electric towel warmer with programmable features. Compatible with the 'mixte combiné' function allowing simultaneous operation with a central heating system. Black finish available in 500W power option.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy savings through programmable controls and smart detection features
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Zehnder GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcova is a brand of Zehnder Group, an international company dedicated to creating healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient indoor climate solutions. Zehnder Group comprises multiple brands including Zehnder, Acova, and Caladair, operating across France with 6 companies, 1 factory, and 1 logistics platform.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Zehnder Group (Zehnder brand): Parent brand of Acova within Zehnder Group. Zehnder manufactures premium radiators and ventilation (heat recovery) systems, operating in the same residential indoor-climate category with overlapping design-led radiator SKUs.
• Atlantic (Groupe Atlantic): France's largest heating and hot-water equipment manufacturer (Atlantic, Thermor, Noirot, Sauter). Directly competes with Acova in electric radiators and towel warmers sold via professional installers and DIY retailers in the French market.
• Jaga Radiators: Belgian design-focused radiator manufacturer with strong low-temperature/heat-pump-ready product range (e.g., Tempo, Strada). Comparable to Acova in targeting design-conscious residential customers in Western Europe with a balance of form and efficiency.
• IRSAP: Italian manufacturer of designer radiators, towel warmers, and heat-pump-ready solutions. Directly comparable to Acova in product breadth (electric, central, mixed), designer finishes, and European installer channel.
• Vasco (Vasco Group / Arbonia): Belgian design radiator brand now owned by Arbonia. Produces designer radiators and towel warmers with comparable European distribution through installer networks, often cited alongside Acova for premium decorative heating.
• Runtal (Arbonia): Swiss-design decorative radiator maker owned by Arbonia. Competes with Acova in the premium decorative-radiator tier in France, Benelux, Germany, and Switzerland with similar flat-panel and tube-form aesthetic language.
• Stelrad Radiators: UK-based, Europe's largest radiator manufacturer producing steel panel radiators, designer radiators, and towel warmers. Competes with Acova in central-heating and designer radiator SKUs across European retail and trade channels.
• Cordivari: Italian manufacturer of design radiators, towel warmers, and heat-pump-compatible low-temperature radiators. Comparable premium design positioning, multi-format range (vertical, horizontal, decorative), and European distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Buderus (Bosch Thermotechnology): Bosch-owned heating incumbent producing boilers, heat pumps, radiators, and connected heating controls. Competes indirectly with Acova in residential heating solutions, particularly through system-level offerings that include radiators within heat-pump/boiler bundles.

Emerging players

• Haverland: Spanish electric radiator and smart-heating manufacturer with connected solutions targeting residential energy efficiency. Comparable to Acova's electric-radiator line-up, smart control features, and design-finish customization approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLyU06yLhpmHsQjFnT8nyGxTZCXyPu_MYp
• Facebookfacebook.com/acova.france
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/showcase/acova-page-officielle
• Instagraminstagram.com/acovafrance/?hl=fr
• Pinterestpinterest.fr/acovafrance

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acova