‘’Some people never want to take their vest off’’

Infrared cushions, blankets, and even heated clothing efficiently provide warmth through infrared radiation. VU scientists are conducting a study among forty Amsterdam residents to see if 'personal heating' could be an alternative to central heating that heats the entire room. Could the thermostat then be turned down?

There are many possibilities for saving energy. By using heated clothing, the central heating can be lowered by about 1 to 2 degrees, the energy saving is 6 to 12 percent and the CO2 reduction is 170 to 340 kilos per year ^{(Source: Het Parool)}.

Overloaded electricity grid

This makes heated clothing the next step in a longer-term development. When everyone was stuck at home for the entire winter during the corona pandemic, the popularity of heated blankets and pillows grew, which also use infrared radiation to give the body a cozy glow. There are also infrared panels that are even used in some homes to reduce the use of natural gas.

Could personal heating be the future of energy savings?

While research is still limited, studies show that heated products can help reduce energy consumption. For example, we once calculated that charging a battery pack costs only 1 eurocent.

Dionne Limpens (building physicist) obtained her doctorate in 2006 for her research into a heating system for monumental churches that pay through the nose for their gas bills. It appeared to be cheaper and even more comfortable for the churchgoers if only the pews were heated.

Heating technology is becoming more personalized

This was also noticed by scientists at the VU University Amsterdam, as well as the 'action network' GasTerug, which was formed in the Amsterdam region after the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the intention of reducing energy consumption. Together, they therefore conducted research this winter into the possibilities of 'personal heating'.

Research among the elderly and vulnerable Amsterdammers

Forty test subjects were given a heated vest from the renowned outdoor brand BERTSCHAT®. The participants in the study are mainly the elderly, people on welfare or Amsterdammers who are vulnerable due to a chronic condition. The results will be studied further in the coming months, but the initial indications are favorable, says VU professor of exercise physiology Hein Daanen. “Some people say they feel comfortable turning the heating down two degrees, but there are also those who are so used to it that they still leave the thermostat at 19 degrees.”

“Overall, we have a positive picture,” says Daanen. ”Some people don't want to take off their cardigans anymore.” Based on the initial calculations by the students involved, the savings are estimated at hundreds of euros per year, although these naturally vary per household, depending on, for example, heating behavior and insulation. An important note is that the room temperature should not fall below 15 degrees, because the house would then become so humid that mold problems could occur.

Vulnerable health

The scientists also looked at comfort and whether the test subjects suffered less from the cold. For example, warmth helps against stiff joints and inflammatory reactions and stimulates blood flow. For participants who were vulnerable due to osteoarthritis or because they had just undergone major surgery, the vest initially had a beneficial effect.

“It was particularly effective in relieving pain in people with rheumatic complaints,” says Robert Thijssen of the Sigra healthcare network, which is a collaboration of hospitals and nursing homes in the Amsterdam region that would like to further investigate the possibilities of heated clothing. In nursing homes, the thermostat is always set very high, and the vests may help to lower it. It was also encouraging that people on social security with rheumatic complaints were more likely to go outside thanks to the 'electric body warmers'. “Of course, that's what we want: more exercise and to get out and about.”

Thijssen is also considering how the vest could help the homeless stay warm during winter. "At the same time, the need to charge the vest could encourage them to keep in touch with social workers.