The Parish Council purchased a thermal imaging camera 2 years ago, and it is available for residents and businesses in the area to borrow.
The camera accurately shows temperatures of walls, floors etc, allowing easy detection of unexpectedly cold spots inside the house, and unexpectedly warm spots outside the house. You can take pictures for future reference.
We have volunteers, familiar with the camera and the sorts of issues it can spot, who can come to your house and walk with you through the rooms, and round the outside, looking for issues. Some of these issues are simple to fix, and the volunteers may be able to suggest some ideas based on their experience.
These are some of the findings from houses in Kington Langley so far:
- significant draughts round letter boxes and door frames
- thin or porous or damaged stone walls leading to cold walls inside
- cold patches on upstairs ceilings, indicating poorly laid or insufficient loft insulation
- hot pipes that should be insulated
- ground floor extensions allowing preserved original features to conduct warm air out of the house
The camera works when the house is nice and warm (heating has been on) and yet it’s cold outside. The camera is easy to use, but you need to think carefully about what you are seeing; some materials (especially glass) reflect the infra red that the camera is detecting, so one measures the reflection, not the glass.
The camera is also useful for spotting pipe runs under floor and in walls, and some types of plumbing issues, e.g. underfloor heating problems.
If you wish to borrow the camera, or have a volunteer visit, then just email getinvolved@kingtonlangley-pc.gov.uk.
