A thermal camera can reveal hidden heat loss in your home, like X-ray vision for heat issues. Web engineer Jamie Matthews bought a thermal imaging camera and discovered his loft hatch was letting him down.
Thermal cameras work by detecting infrared light using sensors. They’re not cheap, but some councils and energy suppliers offer them free to help homeowners slash their heating bills and carbon emissions.
However, experts warn that relying on thermal cameras alone can be misleading. A wall warmed by the sun may appear to leak heat, while reflective surfaces can trick the camera into showing more heat loss than there actually is.
To get accurate results, ask for independent expert advice when planning renovation works. Use the images as a starting point, but don’t make changes without consulting professionals.
Thermal cameras have helped homeowners spot tiny gaps in walls and roofs that were escaping heat. Some councils provide them on loan, along with online guides and introductory advice. Companies like Octopus Energy offer free thermal cameras to customers every winter, which are distributed around 3,800 times annually.
Homeowners who’ve used thermal cameras say they treat the images with caution, comparing results to their neighbour’s better-insulated property or researching training materials before use.
Using a thermal camera as a starting point can reveal extraordinary hidden problems in a building. As Dr Ronita Bardhan of the University of Cambridge found out, it can even spot cracks in walls that turned out to be signs of subsidence.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy9j10wj78wo