Heated wallpaper trialled in Wales

A social housing development in Wales is being heated by wallpaper as part of a trial exploring affordable alternatives to radiators and heat pumps.

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

The Graphene Infrared Heating is one of a number of trials funded through the Welsh Government’s Optimised RetroFit Programme. The system uses a combination of far infrared and convection heat. It takes just two to three days to install and is more cost-effective when compared with a heat pump.

Manufactured by Nexgen, the performance of the technology has been verified by Swansea University. Developer Melin Homes is now in discussions with other social landlords and local authorities who have shown an interest in the trial of the radiant heat system.

Paula Kennedy, Chief Executive of Melin Homes said: “Our residents are already feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis and climate emergency that’s why we have set an ambitious target to become a NetZero organisation before 2050.

“We know we have to act now, so we have teamed up with Nexgen and our housing association peers in a bid to find alternatives to heating our homes that will be greener and cheaper for people to use.

“We will continue to work with them and trial new technologies that will help our residents, and residents throughout Wales. We are also pleased to be a part of the inward investment in setting up a factory and look forward to seeing the opportunities that will bring to Wales.”