BBC article - Farewell radiators? Testing out electric infrared wallpaper

Swipe

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64402524

Costs £4K + cost of immersion heater. What happens when it goes wrong, you have to re-plaster?

ariarnia

im never sure why the bbc run 'adverts' like this but it was good to see the sensible advice about it probably being more expensive to run.

i really can't see an upside given the cost is about the same as air pump (with the grant) but you dont get the cop.  

GingerTim

ariarnia said:

im never sure why the bbc run 'adverts' like this but it was good to see the sensible advice about it probably being more expensive to run.

i really can't see an upside given the cost is about the same as air pump (with the grant) but you dont get the cop.  

It strikes me as a 'tech bro' solution, i.e. one that isn't necessarily better, cheaper, or more useful than tried and tested technology, but makes the adopter feel like they are on the cutting edge. Think internet-connected toasters and the like.

Spoonie_Turtle

"trialling the technology with landlords that provide social housing in Hull, and also housing groups in Wales" - fabulous, yes let's give social tenants who generally are less well-off THE MOST EXPENSIVE FORM OF HEATING POSSIBLE.  Seriously 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

EssexHebridean

“ At the moment the new method of heating his home isn't any cheaper”

Well indeed, no 💩 Sherlock?! 

I also cringed when I read the bit about social housing - what on Earth are they thinking? And, come to that, why the heck are the BBC not calling this out - they’re fast enough to jump on the whole prepay meters thing - but that won’t be a fraction of the extra cost that flipping heated wallpaper will cost to run! Oh yes - I forgot, because they’re quick to blame but slow to research! 

alanwsg

What happens when you want to put a couple of shelves up and start drilling holes in the wall?

Scot_39

ariarnia said:

im never sure why the bbc run 'adverts' like this but it was good to see the sensible advice about it probably being more expensive to run.

i really can't see an upside given the cost is about the same as air pump (with the grant) but you dont get the cop.  

Pretty difficult to fit a conventional heat pump if living in a block of flats.

Some people here suggesting the smaller air con / nsh panel sized heaters - that need vents drilling etc - but that may be another issue for flats.

And housing associations have been known to rip out NSH and replace with cheap panel heaters rather than proper modern HHR NSH - so don't think they are all driven by the financial interests of their occupants.

And some people have reported large effectively standby loads - so called "vampire" loads - one poster reported c200W -  nearly 5kWh per day - and the manufacturer said that was normal - for a heater to keep ASHP external compressor warm - just in case it switches in.  Whereas others report virtually none.  So as with anything seems need to dig deep into details and specs - not just a simple one tech suits all.

FreeBear

alanwsg said:

What happens when you want to put a couple of shelves up and start drilling holes in the wall?

That was my first thought too.

Probably trip the RCD (if fitted)..

Spoonie_Turtle

Scot_39 said:

ariarnia said:

im never sure why the bbc run 'adverts' like this but it was good to see the sensible advice about it probably being more expensive to run.

i really can't see an upside given the cost is about the same as air pump (with the grant) but you dont get the cop.  

And housing associations have been known to rip out NSH and replace with cheap panel heaters rather than proper modern HHR NSH - so don't think they are all driven by the financial interests of their occupants.

Of course they're not, which is why there needs to be public awareness of the options and pressure to not simply install the most expensive forms of heating to run.

(Although it would make good business sense to not needlessly saddle residents with high bills, because that would make them less likely to be able to afford the rent … )

username

I never get this obsession with making everything electric.

As people have said in this thread, electrical heating (and hot water) is the most expensive method and costs.

I understand there are targets to cut emissions, ban on gas boilers etc but in a practical sense how does this benefit the householders, when they get a ridiculous bill each month.

I often read here of people are having an EV, heat pump, storage battery, electric car etc and are all happy being electrified, gas-free and charging outside of peak hours, but is the capex ever affordable to anyone on an average/below average salary, let alone having a building suitable for all these devices?

The_Green_Hornet

alanwsg said:

What happens when you want to put a couple of shelves up and start drilling holes in the wall?

According to the BBC article, although it is called wallpaper, it is actually installed on the ceiling, and looking at the images there are gaps between each heating strip for light fittings etc.