VIVO Defence Services, which provides maintenance services on behalf of the MOD’s Defence Infrastructure Organisation to more than 27,000 military homes in southeast and southwest England, is conducting data-monitored testing at two military housing sites in Fareham, Hampshire, over the next six months. If successful, the technology, developed by British company NexGen Heating, could be rolled out across additional homes managed by VIVO across the region.
The technology uses electric graphene heated paper - a toughened white wallpaper that can be attached to walls or ceilings. In this trial, it is being installed on the ceilings of the two Fareham homes. The graphene paper can be painted over, and uses an energy-efficient, low-voltage system that emits low-temperature far-infrared waves of directional, radiant heat, replicating the comfortable warmth of sunlight. This enables it to warm up objects and people rapidly - in just a few minutes - rather gradually heating the air as traditional radiators or wall-mounted heaters do. As a result, families only need to heat the spaces they are using, helping to reduce energy costs.
Previous tests carried out by NexGen Heating have shown that the system can reduce wall moisture saturation, which causes damp and mold, from 35% to just 5% within five days. It also eliminates mold spores.
Graphene paper heating is already proven to be highly energy efficient, but the Fareham trials go a step further by exploring how it can help meet the MOD’s Net Zero goals. This involves integrating PV solar panels, 20 kWh battery storage, NexGen’s infrared heating, and a SunAmp phase change battery for on-demand hot water.
James Forrester, Operations Director at VIVO Defence Services, said: “We are constantly looking at innovative ways to improve the lived experience for military families living in the Service Family Accommodation we look after as they deserve a place they can live in happily and be proud to call their home. In our trials, we hope to be able to show how using graphene heating paper will help make the homes we look after warmer for the families that live in them, and a good deal cheaper to run – all while reducing carbon emissions.”
Ian Sanderson, CEO at NexGen Carbon Zero Ltd, said: “As a British manufacturer, we are proud to be working with VIVO to trial our technology in military family homes as we believe this could help make them more comfortable, lower their energy bills significantly, and critically make these homes healthier to live in – as well as help the environment.”
