Brits could save on energy bills by ‘pinpointing heat leaks’ | UK | News
Countless Brits are struggling with rising energy costs this winter following Ofgem’s price cap increase in October. But money experts believe there is a method that has the potential to ease this burden and could cost you as little as £15.
Perhaps surprisingly, this solution involves placing a camera in various rooms in your home. But not just any type of camera; a camera that monitors temperature changes, according to the consumer advocate. Which?.
In October last year, Which?’s senior researcher Karen Lawrence explained: “Thermal imaging can help you detect thermal defects, which are places where heat leaks out of your property.”
Accordingly MirrorHe added: “It is particularly useful to locate heat leaks that are otherwise difficult to find, such as drafts from gaps and cracks hidden from view, patched or missing insulation inside attics and cavity walls, and missing or broken seals around doors, windows, attic hatches or other openings.”
A thermal camera does not work like an x-ray and cannot pass through walls; instead, it works by measuring surface temperatures. With this technology, users can pinpoint the hottest and coldest areas of their home, indicated as red or blue zones, respectively.
This technique can also help you identify where heat is escaping from your property; Windows, doors and baseboards are common culprits of such losses. Addressing these issues can help your home retain heat more effectively and minimize the need to further retrofit your heating system.
Karen continued: “If you have solid or cavity wall insulation, there should be much less heat loss. Patches or hot spots in the image may indicate possible gaps, poor installation or insulation failure and need to be investigated and corrected.”
Those who want to try a thermal camera will find that borrowing it is the most economical way. Which? He highlighted that various local councils boast their own camera loan programmes, while the London-based council has its own camera loan programmes. Library of Objects it also offers them for as little as £15 per day.
Octopus Energy Customers can also use these cameras, although the program is currently closed until New Year’s Eve. Octopus Energy’s website reads: “We’ve shipped our cameras to around 5,000 customers over the last few years and we’re absolutely honored that so many customers tell us that camera credit has helped them figure out practically how to save heat in their homes.
“With millions of UK households struggling to pay record-high energy bills, saving gas is more important now than ever. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritized camera credits for those who need it most.”
For those with more flexible finances, an alternative is to hire a professional thermal assessment service; it can cost around £300 for smaller homes and up to £750 for larger properties.
Which? encouraged homeowners to use Home Page Energy Planning Service to determine your best options.
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