Kent Libraries offer free thermal imaging cameras to help tackle heat loss

Available now, the new Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Scheme will give Kent Libraries members access to specialist equipment that can reveal temperature differences around the home. The cameras can help identify possible gaps in insulation to support residents in making informed decisions about improving energy efficiency.

Twenty thermal imaging cameras will be available through selected libraries across the county as part of a 12-month trial. The scheme will help residents better understand how their homes perform and identify practical opportunities to improve comfort and reduce energy waste.

The cameras connect to a compatible smartphone or tablet and use thermal imaging technology to show heat patterns that are not visible to the naked eye. Residents can use them to inspect areas around windows, doors, walls, roofs and radiators, helping to identify potential sources of heat loss.

Each camera loan will include a user guide to help residents use the equipment and understand the images produced. The accompanying FLIR ONE app also includes inspection guides, examples of common household issues and practical advice on what to look for when carrying out a home survey.

The initiative has launched as part of Green Libraries Week, a national, yearly celebration of the role libraries play in supporting climate and sustainability in their communities running from Wednesday 21 to Wednesday 28 October.

Richard Palmer, Kent County Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Regulatory Services, said: "Libraries play an important role in supporting our communities, providing access to information, learning opportunities and practical services that make a real difference to people's lives.

‘This new 12-month trial gives residents the opportunity to better understand how their homes use energy and identify areas where heat may be escaping. By making this technology available through our libraries, we are giving people free access to a practical tool that can help them make informed decisions about improving comfort, reducing energy waste and increasing energy efficiency in their homes."

Thermal imaging cameras can be borrowed free of charge for up to seven days by Kent Libraries members aged 16 and over.

For more information about the scheme, including participating libraries and how to reserve a camera, visit Borrow a thermal imaging camera - Kent County Council.