Agenda item

https://nexgenheating.com/audiences/social-housing-and-residential-landlords

Ian Sanderson and Matt Billington (NexGen Heating) gave a presentation on Electric Wallpaper: The affordable, low carbon solution for heating buildings, which can be viewed on the recording: Environment Advisory Group Open Forum – (25 November 2024)

Ian Sanderson and Matt Billington were asked a number of questions and responded as follows:

• It was possible for individual tiles to be heated, with automatic heating available in zones.
• In the marketplace, the government needed to address the cost of heating differential between gas and electric. A consumer was more likely to choose gas due to the 1 to 4 cost ratio. The heated panels would work with solar panels and would deliver projects with renewability.
• The Green Levy that was placed on electricity could be rebalanced, and NexGen was three times more efficient than a gas boiler.NexGen had customers in social housing who were saving more with heated tiles because they were agile heating within the home, by heating in zones.
• If there was a 15% swing between gas and electricity prices, they would be on par.
• There were multiple case studies that could be shared with members of the EAG.
• Heat pumps required a significant upfront investment, and there would be significant costs of insulation and upkeep. NexGen would not require any upkeep.
• It would be critical for pressure to be put on government regarding support for innovative technologies such as the electric wallpaper. 
• It was possible for the equipment to be installed without professional help.
• For a 2 to 3-bed flat at 40 to 60 sq. ft., it would cost £2,300 to £2,800 as a capital expenditure, and a similar cost to install the electric wallpaper.
• NexGen had been in contact with the Big Issue, in order to train people to install the electric wallpaper.
• If the project was successful, there would need to be 10,000 installers by 2030, installing in 150,000 houses per year. The full cost for installing the system into a house would be approximately £8000 with every room working independently, controlled via an app or in the room, with no maintenance. This compared to heat pump pricing which could cost £13,500 to purchase and install. All power collected from a solar panel would not need an inverter, and would not suffer a 8-12% loss converting from DC to AC.
• The technology needed to be recognised, which could be a positive influence on EPC rating on homes.
• NexGen had invested in a consortium which purchased derelict housing or social housing unusable in housing stock.
• People should be put first with health and wellbeing.
• There was a block regarding lobbies for gas and heat pumps, there were no lobby groups for SME companies. The government needed to allow councils to have a toolkit for tackling ongoing heating issues.
• NexGen had received support from the Welsh Government, and Scottish Government, however the UK central government was not as supportive.
• NexGen were in a partnership with EON. Consumers were not buying into the heat pump even with the funding available.
• NexGen had been in contact with Travis Perkins and CEF regarding sales to the public, but their main focus was making an impact in social housing first.
• There were a significant number of councils working with NexGen such as Reading Borough Council. NexGen would send case studies and information of other councils in the nearby area who were working with them to West Berkshire Council.
• NexGen were creating a charity partnership.

Action: NexGen to provide further case study information.

Councillor Tony Vickers left the meeting at 18:33pm

Councillor Adrian Abbs left the meeting at 18:41pm