Consumers can use a surprising tool to detect ‘thermal defects’ in their homes
Millions of Brits are bracing for steeper energy bills this winter, with Ofgem’s price cap climbing by 2% from October 1 to December 31. Yet money-saving experts believe there’s one straightforward move you can make to ease this financial burden – and it could set you back as little as £15.
You might be surprised to discover that such a remedy involves placing cameras in different rooms throughout your house. According to Which?, this isn’t just any camera but one that tracks temperature changes.
Karen Lawrence, a researcher at the consumer champion, explained that deploying such a camera can assist households in spotting ‘thermal defects’ in their property. Put simply, you can locate exactly where warmth is escaping through gaps and cracks that aren’t readily apparent.
“Thermal imaging can help you spot thermal defects – the places where heat leaks out of your property,” she previously told the Mirror.
“It’s especially helpful for pinpointing heat leaks that are hard to find in any other way, such as draughts through gaps and cracks that are hidden from view; patchy or missing insulation inside lofts and cavity walls; and missing or broken seals around doors, windows, loft hatches or other openings.”
A thermal camera doesn’t have X-ray vision to see through walls, but it works by gauging surface temperatures. With this technology, homeowners can identify the warmest and chilliest spots in their house, which usually show up as red or blue, respectively.
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This can also aid you in evaluating how effective your windows, doors, and skirting boards are at retaining heat in your home. Addressing these issues could help your home keep warm for longer, lessening the need to crank up the heating even more.
Karen continued: “If you have solid or cavity wall insulation, there should be much less heat loss. Patches or hot spots in the image could indicate possible gaps, poor installation or failure of the insulation, which should be investigated and rectified.”
If you’re eager to try out a thermal camera, the most affordable option is to borrow one. Various local councils run their own camera loan schemes, while the London-based Library of Things currently rents these out for as little as £15 per day.
Octopus Energy customers can also borrow these cameras, although you’ll typically be put on a waiting list before they’re issued, and it’s not guaranteed.
Those not constrained by a tight budget can opt for a professional thermal survey, which costs roughly £300 for smaller homes and £750 for larger properties, according to estimates from Which?. You can use the consumer champion’s Home Energy Planning Service to work out what is best for you.
“Draughtproofing is the cheapest and easiest DIY fix and can typically save around £35-£50 a year on energy bills,” Karen added amidst the research last year. “But it’s not just about savings; draughts make you feel chilly, so eliminating them will make your home feel more comfortable at a lower temperature (and you won’t need to pile on the blankets).”