751040Fibre wool radiation matsClosedVouchersInnovate UKADVANCED HEATING AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS has identified the potential for significant energy savings using 'fibre wool radiation mats' that can possibly replace conventional wall mounted radiators used with central heating. Initial tests have shown that the heating mat running on very low electrical power (40 V AC or DC) is able to create a heating effect comparable to the conventional wall radiators using hot water from the boiler. Furthermore, the device eliminates the need for a pump. It does not need insulation over long pipes. The only insulation needed is on the back surface of the heating mats to stop heat flow into the wall and reflect all heating to the room. This insulation material is made from recycled rubber and is very light-weight and robust. Several designs are being tried for comparing their effectiveness in preventing heat loss. By modifying the emissivity properties of the surface of the mat, significant improvements in radiation heat transfer can be achieved over conventional radiators. The convective heat transfer is quite similar to the conventional radiators. However, the very small thickness of these mats offers the opportunity to arrange these mats in a matrix for further optimising the convective heat transfer.