2nd
Jun 2022
A number of housing association tenants in Wales are trialling a revolutionary alternative to heat pumps to warm their homes.
The graphene heat system which feels and looks like ‘everyday’ wallpaper can be plugged into any domestic socket which comes with a smart battery, solar panels, and significantly lowers the exorbitant fuel costs whilst drastically reducing emissions.
The lookalike ‘wallpaper’ is installed on ceilings, walls or under floors with the technology being virtually invisible.
NexGen’s Graphene Infrared Heating is one system of a series of ground breaking trials undertaken by tenants in Melin Homes’ housing association properties and is funded by the Welsh Government.
Julie James, the Wales’ Housing and Climate Minister, 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 Graphene Infrared Heating uses a combination of convection heat and something called ‘far infrared red technology’ which can take between two to three days to install and apparently is far cheaper than a heat pump.
Melin Homes joined forces with Swansea University which verified the technology’s performance levels. It is now holding discussions with a number of other registered social housing associations and local councils showing an active interest in hearing about the trial’s results.
Richard Merrick of PIMS, says: “ It has to be admitted that this advance in technology if proven will be a ‘godsend’ to households, however without being too cynical, it is highly likely that the cost of the new heating system will be higher to private landlords than to social housing providers.”
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