New tech turns walls into heaters, slashing home heating costs

It is estimated that almost two-thirds of the energy used in homes is dedicated to heating. Finnish researchers have developed innovative technology that will help reduce costs and increase residents' comfort. The first products are expected to hit the market next year.

The heating film, increasingly common in modern heating solutions, is an innovative technology that turns walls into efficient heat sources. With this solution, traditional radiators can be replaced with discreet heating panels that ensure even heat distribution in rooms. The heating film not only improves the aesthetics of interiors by eliminating the need for visible radiators but also allows for better space utilization and significant energy savings. It is an ideal solution for winter, especially in buildings where thermal comfort and energy efficiency are important.

A few years ago, the Finnish army approached the government R&D center VTT with a request to create "decoys" to heat large areas and quickly confuse opponents. The engineers completed this task but concluded that a similar solution could be useful in homes and offices.

This resulted in the creation of the Halia system. It is a film using a low-voltage heating element that is thin enough to be placed in almost any material—walls, furniture, and even fabrics. This film does not limit interior design possibilities; on the contrary, it opens up new perspectives.

The Halia system not only saves energy but also ensures quick room heating. This is because the film heats a very large wall surface.

It is not as instantaneous as turning on a light, but reaching the desired temperature takes only a few dozen seconds, as explains Jani-Mikael Kuusisto from The Warming Surfaces Company.

Such "heating on demand" can also be integrated with motion sensors that activate the system when someone enters the room. This ensures that energy is not wasted on heating empty interiors while guaranteeing comfort at the right temperature.

The Warming Surfaces Company confirms that production capacities are already in place and the first products are ready. The startup's representatives boast about the technology's high scalability (adaptation to the needs of the furniture and construction industries) and the low production costs resulting from minimal material usage.

Integration with furniture and building materials also positively impacts the simplicity of installation.