Hot Stuff! Renters experiment with wallpaper that heats homes

No it’s not an April Fool - some tenants in Wales are experimenting with an alternative to radiators and heat pumps. to keep residents warm.

The graphene heat system, which looks and feels just like traditional wallpaper, can be plugged into a domestic socket, and is packaged with solar panels and a smart battery, meaning it cuts emissions while vastly lowering fuel costs.

Installed on walls, ceilings or under floors, the technology is invisible.

NexGen’s Graphene Infrared Heating is one of a number of innovate trials being carried out by housing association Melin Homes, funded by the Welsh Government.

Wales’ Housing and Climate Change Minister Julie James says: “The decarbonisation of homes plays a big part in our journey to a Net Zero Wales by 2050.

“At a time when costs are rising, improving the energy efficiency of homes will not only help us to deal with the climate emergency but also help families through the cost of living crisis.

“Just a little over a year ago, the First Minister put the environment and climate change at the heart of the Welsh Government’s priorities and, as we work to build a stronger, greener and fairer Wales, I’m really excited by the prospect innovative products like these could offer in helping us achieve our ambition.”

The system, which uses a combination of far infrared and convection heat takes two to three days to install and is claimed to be much more cost-effective when compared with a heat pump.

Melin Homes has collaborated with Swansea University who verified the performance of the technology. It is now in discussions with a range of other registered social landlords, and local authorities who have shown an interest in the trial of the radiant heat system. 

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