Electric wallpaper tested as an alternative to central heating

Electric wallpaper is being trialled as an alternative to central heating in social housing.

Electric wallpaper is being tested in 12 tenements in Glasgow owned and managed by the West of Scotland Housing Association to assess its effectiveness as a “clean” heat source.

Tenants have reported “excellent” feedback in the months since installation.

Scottish homes are among the oldest and most poorly insulated in Europe, with around 70,000 tenements in Glasgow alone, and heating is responsible for more than 36% of the UK’s total CO2 emissions.

The average home loses heat three times faster than in many European countries.

Electric wallpaper installed on the ceiling and painted over is set to become a “viable” replacement for central heating – which began earlier this year, but data on energy consumption has yet to be collected.

A project led by scientists in collaboration with the West of Scotland Housing Association and Glasgow City Council – with recent funding from Scotland Beyond Net Zero – is being touted as a potential “green replacement” for gas.

Dr. Ahmad Taha from the University of Glasgow and Dr. Alejandro Moreno-Rangel from the University of Strathclyde is working with technologies such as the Internet of Things and AI-powered data analysis to collect information on efficiency, comfort and tenant feedback.

Funded by Scotland Beyond Net Zero – a coalition of leading climate and sustainability experts from Scottish universities – the trial is one of eight new research collaborations aimed at the transition to net zero.

Andrew Kubski, director of development and asset management at West of Scotland Housing Association, said: “We have been testing this technology for a number of months now and have received excellent feedback from our tenants where it has been installed.

“We welcome the opportunity to work with the University of Glasgow and the University of Strathclyde to conduct comprehensive scientific research into the effectiveness of electric wallpaper.”

Councilor Ruairi Kelly, Neighborhood Services and Facilities Officer at Glasgow City Council, added: “Glasgow has around 70,000 rental homes, so finding new solutions to heat these homes more efficiently is vital to a net zero future to reach.”

“Innovative pilot projects like this are vital in determining how best to address the issues of energy costs and emissions in Glasgow’s homes.”

Professor Lisanne Gibson, Associate Director of Research at the University of Dundee and Chair of the Scotland Beyond Net Zero Seed Fund Committee, said: “Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets require a bold and integrated approach.

“These projects are a crucial step in our journey towards a more sustainable and fair future, not just for Scotland but globally.”