Thermal Imaging Camera Report

Sticklepath Loan of WDBC Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC)

The Camera was made available to Parish Councils in November 2023 and Sticklepath was quick to request the loan, as it had previously asked some residents if they were interested. The Parish Council have accepted the Climate Emergency Declaration, and there have been various efforts made to encourage residents to adopt new approaches.

The period for the loan was not specified, and it proved more difficult to ensure that residents knew about the loan over the Christmas period, and many didn’t want to undertake a survey during this period. However, it seems essential that surveys are carried out in the colder weather and at night, when the differences between outside temperatures and home heating are more obvious.

We felt it was important to have a wide selection of properties from within the village, which contains listed properties, a 1980’s estate, some mid-war housing, and a small amount of social housing. We were not successful in securing input from some outlying farmsteads or from a row of bungalows. It was hoped to make some generalisations from this, so the attached log has omitted the addresses of specific houses, and we have tried to anonymise the results.
They were issued with a response form ( see attached). Specifically, we wanted to encourage residents to consider actions where these might be needed. On the back of the form was the advice sources published by WDBC, and some said that they would follow this up.

Feedback from users of the TIC, and those who said that they wouldn’t feel confident to borrow it included:

  • The TIC was easy to use, and showed some basic issues re heat loss. However, without training and advice it felt limited to many people. Only 3 users downloaded images and only 1 consulted the online site for analysis. This seemed to confirm that which residents knew about draughts and heat leakage through windows.
  • Even when heat/cold issues were discovered, it was felt that a professional would be able to link this to feasible solutions.
  • It compounded a view for some that the solutions might be too expensive, or that planning restrictions would not allow further insulation or double glazing.
  • Many of the respondents stated that they would be interested/required to change their heating system soon. This has stimulated a wider debate in the village about heat pumps, with one respondent being willing to share their positive experience if a meeting was called to include expert advisers and/or potential providers. This was seen as a possible strategy wherein some kind of collaborative purchasing might bring down costs significantly.

Conclusion:
As the first Parish Council to take this loan, it has created some understanding of the potential from the TIC loan system. However, it is clear that more preparation and training is required to cascade to users. Those who participated were motivated to make changes, and others who saw the publicity for the loan scheme actually declined the loan because they felt that they already had sufficient knowledge of the cold spots in their houses, draughts and other heat losses. There was a need for advice on realistic/cost effective insulation/interventions, especially in conservation areas, but more significantly interest in making changes to heating sources.

Cllr Derek Moore
February 2024

Type of house Specific areas of heat loss concerns

 

Considerations for follow up/intervention.

 

Other considerations
1980’s cavity wall Most areas Missing insulation patches in loft Have used TIC before in  a previous house. This one is easy to use but no time to fully analyse the results
Stone, cob, lime plaster and rendered, thatch

New extension 2020

Windows, doors, timber frame walls

 

Draft proofing doors ( bottom of doors leaking heat more than expected)

Solar PV panels planned as house is all electric heating

S/D card used but not wiped
Detached rubble walled house

1980 significant insulation updates

North facing kitchen which has inadequate insulation High heat loss from windows.

Underfloor heating pipes under kitchen units heat loss

Must insulate pipework

S/D card used            Need more training for analysis

Traditional stone built detached house General survey Secondary glazing for downstairs windows. Recent renovation has been quite effective.

Further changes restricted by being a listed building.

New built 1996

Slate roof, double glazed with u/value c 1.6w/m2k Some walls timber clad/timber frame other walls rendered timber frame

Air temp outside 2.6 inside 19 windows 8, rendering 6 roof and timber cladding 4.6. therefore, windows are the biggest concern heat loss. Not practical to improve double glazing so thick curtains best option. Installing solar pv to power existing air source heat pump Would be willing to discuss own satisfaction with own heat pump installation, with smart controls.
Detached Built 2003 Cavity block

Slate roof Underfloor c/h Solar panels

1 Patio door. One half negligible heat loss.

half double glazing replacement poor

2. None lagged pipes in extension showing on ceiling scan

1. Replace glass/glazing

2. Lag pipes

1. Expensive

2. Simple solution

 

Not willing to use online analysis

Terraced older property in conservation area Thick walls retain heat. Old windows show heat loss

Kitchen cold

Use heavy curtains Not able to double glaze in conservation area
1970’s bungalow

Extension. Double glazed. Cavity walls brick

What was expected and no concerns really    
1930s brick built semi detached upvc glazed windows and doors Loft hatch

End wall of house porch

Inconclusive in other places, not sure what is normal

Replace/insulate  loft hatch

Internal insulation on end wall

Door being replaced so porch may be ok

Need a bit more advice from experts
Mid 19th century mixed conversion. Masonry walls over clad in parts – elsewhere insulated dry lining. Pitched slate roof, insulated under slates 1 area of uninsulated stone wall and 10ft access panel Future project to improve these areas  
Detached house 1928/30 Pleased with results but surprised at the loss of heat from double glazed windows surrounds and doors. Loft trap door More insulation but how to  ? Use of heavy curtain on front door. Insulate underside of loft trap door  
Detached 2 storey stone Built 1914

Double glazed upc windows Wood front door

Complete house shows red on imaging extension to back Loft insulation

Seek advice about wall insulation

Needed professional advice follow up.
Cottage/stone and cob walls double glazed windows slate roof Nothing specific some loss around the velux skylights and roof void Thermal blind for velux . Heavier curtain for conservatory  
End terrace. Victorian stone built. Wooden framed double glazing Hot and cold spots throughout house. End wall coldest.   Would love to consider heat pub but cost is prohibitive.
Detached 1760. Not in Conservation Area. Rubble stone/cob and brick extension. New Double Glazed. Loft insulated Windows still show heat loss although new.

Solid walls retain heat through central heating and log burner.

Old front door draughty and inefficient

Replace front door, but until then heavy curtains throughout.

 

Consideration of air source heat pump as oil fired boiler reaches 10 year old i.e. to keep steady temperature

Old central heating system would cost too much to upgrade.

Not clear  the camera can be used for really accurate measurements, but the colour differentials indicate enough.

1970’s estate house. New extensions Quite pleased that older part of the building comparable to new build extension. No obvious improvements

Oil central heating effective, but what next ?

Need more professional advice as to how to progress to greener
Brick build 1930s – single glazing, wooden windows As expected, some cold areas in house… belief in ventilation No immediate plans to make changes  
1980’s estate house, mid-terrace brick/block built Windows and doors a bit colder/heat loss outside but as double glazed not significant No obvious issues which require intervention All electric heating on smart supply.                 Green sourced
1980’s block built social housing Significant cold spots and heat loss in many places To approach landlord to make changes Verbal
18th century, thick stone walls,  listed building, thatched roof. Cold spots, heat loss through some windows not yet secondary glazed, more from roof than expected Changed heating to solid fuel. Using more than expected

Will secondary glaze rear windows

Concerns over damp areas, construction work due

Would replace windows with double glazing but DNPA/listed building restrictions.

Has been advised on internal wall insulation for free !! This would make rooms very small.

 

Verbal… form not filled in