As part of our commitments to help reduce carbon emissions in our area and help people improve the energy efficiencies of their homes, we have four thermal imaging cameras available for use on a free to borrow basis for Town and Parish Councils or Community Groups.
This ‘point and shoot’ camera will provide you with a thermal image of a home or building. The image can then be used to identify potential improvements, such as requirements for insulation and draught proofing within your home to improve your energy efficiency, as well as to reduce heat loss and fuel bills.
We expect the cameras to be used on multiple properties in a town or parish with a report listing the outcomes to be sent to the Council at the end of the hire. Details of this will need to be included in your application.
Apply
Check the terms and conditions for hiring a camera before you apply.
The service will be suspended from 30 April until late Autumn 2024.
We have created a short easy to read user guide covering limitations, ideal use conditions and common pitfalls. This can be downloaded below:
Delivery, Pick Up and Collection
After making an application, if there is a camera available, we will be in touch after 2-3 working days to agree a delivery and collection date with you.
Someone will need be available to receive the camera. Please allow up to a week for delivery.
Why use a Thermal Imaging Camera?
Carbon emissions and climate change implications
Homes account for 20% of carbon emissions in Devon and there needs to be an urgent application of energy efficiency improvements if we are going to hit the carbon reduction targets necessary to reach net zero by 2050.
We hope that making these cameras available will help residents identify areas where heat could be being lost and understanding where to take action to save emissions and reduce energy bills.
Reducing Heat Loss and Energy Consumption
Once you have identified areas of heat-loss within your property, there are a couple of ways that could help you reduce energy consumption and heat loss. These include:
- Improving the insulation of the property, especially roof or wall insulation;
- Reducing air leakage, for example around doors, windows, or letter-boxes. Draft excluder tape can help.
- Insulate your house with DIY loft insulation and make sure the loft hatch is also insulated.
- Closing drafts around letterboxes and cat-flaps.
What to do with the results?
We recommend after using the camera, and where issues are identified a professional retrofit advisor is contacted to make sure the correct work is identified to correct the problems in the residents' home.
You should also consider getting in touch with your local community energy group who offer retrofit advice services, in South Hams this is South Dartmoor Community Energy.
In addition Energy Saving Devon, operated by Devon County Council and supported by Devon councils and Community Retrofit Advice Services, is the one stop shop for all things retrofit in Devon.
Using these resources you will be able to:
- Create a free home upgrade plan;
- Get advice through an advice line;
- Apply for home energy grants;
- Find reputable installers.