Switch on to electric wallpaper to heat a home
Imagine a home which has no radiators but is nice and warm even on a winter’s day.
That is possible now for householders with an eco-friendly technology known as electric infrared wallpaper.
“It is amazing what scientists are inventing to help the UK reach net zero gas emissions by 2050,” said Midlands green expert Ron Fox.
Each wallpaper sheet contains two thin copper strips and layers of graphene, the world’s most conductive material. When powered with electricity they emit heat by infra-red energy.
No pipes nor no moving parts are needed and the system heats people and objects directly in the same way as sitting in the sun does. It also means householders can easily choose to warm only one room at a time, using an app to direct the heat rather than warming rooms not in use during the day such as bedrooms.
In contrast, radiators in either a central heating system or underfloor heating warm rooms by convection. This heats the air in a room which then circulates the warmth around.
Another advantage of electric wallpaper is that it does not require gas. The government wants to phase out gas-fired boilers by 2035 which account for about 14 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Institute for Government think tank. At present, 23 million homes in Britain are connected to the gas grid.
And unlike boiler-powered radiators, users can turn the electric sheets on or off as needed with a switch.
Another plus is that electric wallpaper is believed to produce better air quality in homes generating less mould around windows as research has shown that poor air quality has been linked to health problems in some social housing properties.
It is also a lot quicker to install and can be put on a ceiling or there’s even a waterproof version which can go under the floorboards.
An electric wallpaper system will cost around £2,000 for a flat, £4,000 in a typical three-bedroom home and £7,000 in a large house. However, residents would also need to factor in the costs of removing the existing central heating system and investing in an electric immersion heater or solar power to provide hot water.
“It is interesting that many housing associations, London borough and UK councils have shown an interest in this electric wallpaper system,” said Ron, of Noreus Ltd on the University of Keele Science Innovation Park. “But homeowners should be aware that at the moment electricity costs three to four times as much as gas.”
If you want any advice on green energy such as solar panels or cutting pollution in the home, contact Ron on 0845 474 6641.
Caption: Going to the wall – radiators will not be needed with the new eco-friendly technology known as electric infra-red wallpaper.
