Thermal Imaging Camera Hire

As part of our commitments to help reduce carbon emissions, we have four thermal imaging cameras available for use on a free to borrow basis for Town and Parish Councils or Community Groups.

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

Thermal IR Camera Scheme 2024/25 

Due to Christmas leave we are unable to process any applications between 21 December 2024 and 6 January 2025.

WDBC will be offering up to 8 communities the opportunity to use the council’s thermal imaging cameras (TICs) between 6 December and 31 March. Tamar Energy Community (TEC) will be supporting the scheme to: 

  • support/train/develop a community energy champion(s) within the community 
  • provide an introductory talk to the community about retrofitting, key considerations and advice and support available 
  • provide a follow up event/clinic in the community to discuss and share results as a community

Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis. Tamar Energy Community will only be able to support two communities at a time so the dates when you can use the cameras and arrange introductory and follow up sessions may be later than anticipated. You'll be contacted to arrange a slot in either December, January, February or March.

What you need to do 

  1. Gather an interested group of people who wish to use a thermal imaging camera on their properties, the more the better, applications should include a minimum of 6 residents/properties  
  2. Ensure you have a venue available for introductory and follow up sessions 
  3. Nominate a Community Energy Ambassador who will act as a point of contact for your application 

  4. Submit an application at the link below. Check the full terms and conditions before applying.

    Borrow a Thermal Imaging Camera 

    We have created a short easy to read User Guide covering limitations, ideal use conditions and common pitfalls. This can be downloaded below:

  1. Once we have your application and it has passed a few checks, it will be passed to Tamar Energy Community who will be in touch to arrange your introductory session  

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 could consider getting in touch with your local community energy group who offer retrofit advice services, in West Devon this is Tamar Energy Community.

In addition Energy Saving Devon, operated by Devon County Council and supported by Devon councils and Community Retrofit Advice Services, is a 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