Electric WALLPAPER is examined as an alternative choice to central heating

Electric wallpaper might sound like a wacky idea thought up by Willy Wonka. 

But it has become a reality in Glasgow, where 12 houses have been decked out with the futuristic decor. 

The electric wallpaper is applied to the ceiling and painted over, and can heat up an entire room in just 1-3 minutes. 

Scientists from the University of Glasgow hope it will serve as a greener – and cheaper – alternative to central heating.

Andrew Kubski, director of development and asset management for West of Scotland Housing Association, said: ‘We have been trialling this technology for a few months now and have had excellent feedback from our tenants where this has been installed.’

Scottish homes are among the oldest and worst insulated in Europe, with the average home losing heat three times faster than in many European countries.

In fact, heating currently accounts for more than 36 per cent of the total carbon emissions in the UK.

Electric wallpaper might sound like a wacky idea thought up by Willy Wonka. But it has become a reality in Glasgow, where 12 houses have been decked out with the futuristic decor

In a bid to reduce the need for such extensive central heating, the West of Scotland Housing Association is trialling the electric wallpaper in 12 tenement properties in Glasgow. 

The wallpaper is the brainchild of NexGen Heating, which describes it as an ‘electric far infrared heating system.’

‘NexGen is an “electric wallpaper” which is fixed to the ceiling,’ the company explains on its website. 

‘It’s very different to traditional convective heating, and uses the physics of far infrared – the warmth and power of sunlight.

‘Infrared is simply a low energy form of light. It’s invisible to our eyes, but we feel it as we do gentle sunlight on our skin.

‘NexGen’s infrared is delivered from across the whole ceiling – a huge surface area – so can deliver a lot of energy quickly.’

The paper itself is a fraction of a millimetre thick, and is both fireproof and water-resistant. 

At each end, the paper has electrical connectors which are hidden from view after installation. 

The wallpaper is the brainchild of NexGen Heating, which describes it as an ‘electric far infrared heating system’

‘Each sheet of paper is wired into an ultra-low voltage electricity supply (24 volts),’ NexGen explained. 

‘The lightweight cables run from each sheet to a transformer, usually in a central closet or cupboard.

‘The robust transformers are secured to the walls using security screws and are designed to last for many years without any maintenance – like the rest of the system, they come with a 15 year warranty.’

Like any basic ceiling wallpaper, it’s simply glued to the celing, and can be painted over. 

When it’s switched on, the electric wallpaper delivers heat evenly throughout the room, with NexGen describing the heat as ‘like feeling gentle sunshine on your skin’. 

Best of all, the electric wallpaper only takes 1-3 minutes to heat up an entire room, so there’s no need for a long warm-up period. 

‘That means you can turn off the heating all day if you’re out of the house, and only heat the bedrooms a few minutes before bedtime,’ NexGen added. 

‘It’s much more efficient, lowering bills and CO2 emissions. Only heat it when you need it!’

When it’s switched on, the electric wallpaper delivers heat evenly throughout the room, with NexGen describing the heat as ‘like feeling gentle sunshine on your skin’

While pricing remains unclear, NexGen says there’s a ‘low up-front cost and inexpensive installation’. 

MailOnline has contacted the company for further information. 

So far, only 12 houses has been kitted out with the wallpaper in Glasgow. 

However, should the trial prove sucessful, the wallpaper could be rolled out more widely. 

Councillor Ruairi Kelly, convener for neighbourhood services and assets at Glasgow City Council, added: ‘Glasgow has around 70,000 tenement flats, so finding new solutions to more efficiently heating them is vital to reaching a net-zero future.

‘Innovative pilot projects such as this are vital when considering how best to help tackle the issues of energy costs and emissions in Glasgow’s homes.’