Many people are looking for better ways to stay warm without breaking the bank. But there’s good news for people in Scotland: a newly released invention could change how you heat your home without increasing your energy bills.
It comes in the form of an electric wallpaper.
What Is Electric Wallpaper?
NexGen, a British tech company, has just started installing electric wallpaper. (ref) This innovative wallpaper may be a smart alternative to traditional central heating, which promotes sustainability and saves you money.
This technology heats the surfaces of the room directly rather than warming the air, which can lead to quicker and more efficient heating. The wallpaper can be painted over, maintaining aesthetic appeal while providing heat.
Right now, it’s being tested in 12 tenement properties in Glasgow, managed by the West of Scotland Housing Association, to see if it works as a clean heat source. Funded by Scotland Beyond Net Zero, this initiative seeks to assess the effectiveness of electric wallpaper in providing a clean heat source.
Researchers from the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde are collaborating on this project, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology and AI analytics to monitor energy consumption, tenant comfort, and overall system efficiency.
Tackling Housing Issues
Scottish homes are among the draftiest and least insulated in Europe. Heating these homes accounts for over 36% of the country’s total emissions. In Glasgow, about 70,000 tenement flats lose heat three times faster than homes in many other European countries. (ref)
Electric wallpaper could be an excellent alternative to gas heating, especially in urban areas where updating traditional systems can be tricky.
So far, tenant feedback has been positive. People have reported that the electric wallpaper heats rooms quickly, which can make your home much more comfortable during colder months. Plus, it can help lower energy costs by warming specific areas instead of the whole house.
According to Andrew Kubski, director of development and asset management for West of Scotland Housing Association, “We have been trialling this technology for a few months now and have had excellent feedback from our tenants where this has been installed.” (ref)
Your Zero-Carbon Solution
NexGen also aims for its wallpaper to provide a zero-carbon solution that limits CO2 emissions in the atmosphere. When paired with solar panels and batteries, this wallpaper has no negative impact on the environment.
Thanks to its design, it can also warm hard-to-reach areas that usually get drafts. NexGen’s far infrared technology heats people and objects directly, rather than relying on air to transfer warmth.
It also stores energy within the room, allowing it to cool down more slowly. This feature makes NexGen effective, even in homes with poor insulation, making it a great option for difficult-to-heat spaces.
The Project’s Path Forward
Research and funding are ongoing to collect more data on how well electric wallpaper works in real-life settings. (ref) This pilot project is part of a larger effort to help Scotland achieve its ambitious net-zero goals and is one of many collaborations aimed at sustainable energy solutions.
Home energy efficiency is of the essence for the UK’s plan to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. The government’s climate advisors say the UK should have installed about 2,940,087 insulation measures from 2020 to the end of 2023. (ref)
However, an analysis from the New Economic Foundation shows a big gap between these targets and reality: only 464,982 energy efficiency measures have been installed since early 2020, which is just 15.8% of what’s needed. (ref)
If it works well, the electric wallpaper could change heating methods in Scotland and serve as a model for other areas with old homes and high carbon emissions. Adding smart technology to home heating could lead to more personalized and efficient energy use in your home.
There is no announcement yet from NexGen if their products will be available outside Scotland.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.