Find out exactly where your home is losing energy this winter by borrowing our new easy to use thermal camera.

The camera uses infrared technology to find heat loss spots in the home, to help you identify where home improvements are needed to help you stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Reducing energy use at home is a key component of the Councils commitment to tackle the climate emergency and reach net zero by 2030.

Common reasons include small gaps around doors, windows and exterior outlets like letterboxes, and connections to outside such as plumbing fixtures.

How to Borrow a Thermal Imager Camera

To borrow the new thermal camera, (you must be over 18), contact Keynsham Town Council on 0117 986 8683 to book a time slot to use the camera, or click here to complete an online enquiry booking form.  You will be asked to sign a hire agreement when you collect the camera.

Thermal Camera Top Tips

How do thermal cameras work?

Thermal cameras detect and measure ‘infrared radiation’, which is the amount of heat coming from an object

The camera shows you where the high heat areas are, and where heat is escaping, inside and outside your home.

As a general rule, if you’re using the camera inside your home, the blue areas are where heat is escaping: red is good!

And if you’re using the camera outside your home, the areas are where heat is escaping: blue is good. 

Using the camera inside: red is good!

When you use the thermal camera inside your home, the blue areas are where heat is escaping the building

Ideal conditions:

·    10 degrees Celsius warmer inside you home than outside

·    Rooms are at usual temperature and heating is off

·   Avoid recently used bathrooms

Where to take the photos:

·    joins in the building work (e.g. where joists meet, or woodwork hides a joint)

·    around windows and doors

·    floors and external walls

·    the flooring in your loft space

   · bathrooms and utility rooms

What to look for:

·   Bluer (cooler) areas of floors and walls may need improved insulation

·    In ‘wet’ rooms such as bathrooms, you may see areas that appear to be very cold, but are in fact areas of water, condensation or damp.

·    When in your loft, look for cold spots between the insulation.

Using the camera outside: blue is good!

When you use the thermal camera outside your home, the red areas are where heat is escaping the building.

Ideal conditions:

·   Evening or a cold day

·  10 degrees Celsius cooler outside your home than inside

·   Avoid rain or direct sunshine

Where to take photos:

·    Joins in the building work (such as extensions)

·    Around windows and doors

·    Roofs and walls

·    Ventilation points (such as airbricks, chimneys or extraction fans)

What to look for:

Red coloured gaps and holes are often draughty spots that can easily be filled

Redder tints to walls and roofs may need extra insulation installed

Thermal Cameras: Next Steps

Once you’ve used a thermal camera to find where your home is losing energy, the next step is to identify the home improvements needed to help you stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer – reducing your carbon emissions plus saving you money on your energy bills.

Small Gaps

For heat loss around doors and windows letterboxes cables or plumbing fixtures, there are lots of low-cost ideas to fix problem spots on the Centre for Sustainable Energy Website at www.ces.org.uk/advice/diy-draught-proofing.

Larger Areas

If your thermal camera photos show there are larger areas where heat is escaping your home, there are lots of options to help fix the problem.

There is money available to help you pay for many of these solutions – check the funding page here

Roof

If your home is losing energy through the roof, it is a good idea to top-up your loft insulation. There is more information on the Centre for Sustainable Energy website at www.cse.org.uk/advice/loft-insulation

Walls

Homes built after the 1930’s usually have a gap between the external walls, which can be filled with insulation to stop energy escaping. Find out more on the Centre for Sustainable Energy website at www.cse.org.uk/advice/cavity-wall-insulation

Windows

If your home is single glazed, secondary glazing will reduce energy loss. If double glazing is not an option for your property, it is usually still possible to fit alternative secondary glazing. Find out more on the Centre for Sustainable Energy website at www.cse.org.uk/advice/secondary-glazing

To complete a Have your Say! form please click the link here