Countless Brits are grappling with increased energy costs this winter, following Ofgem’s 2% price cap rise in October. However, money experts believe there’s one method with potential to ease this burden – and it could set you back as little as £15.
Perhaps surprisingly, this remedy involves positioning a camera throughout various rooms in your home. But not just any type of camera – one that monitors temperature variations, according to consumer champion, Which?.
In October last year, Which?’s senior researcher Karen Lawrence explained: “Thermal imaging can help you spot thermal defects – the places where heat leaks out of your property.”
According to the Mirror, she added: “It’s especially helpful for pinpointing heat leaks that are hard to find in any other way, such as draughts through gaps and cracks that are hidden from view; patchy or missing insulation inside lofts and cavity walls; and missing or broken seals around doors, windows, loft hatches or other openings.”
A thermal camera doesn’t function like an X-ray and cannot penetrate walls; instead, it operates by measuring surface temperatures. Through this technology, users can pinpoint the hottest and chilliest areas of their home, typically displayed as red or blue zones, respectively.
This technique can also help identify where warmth is escaping from your property, with windows, doors, and skirting boards being common culprits for such losses. Addressing these issues might help your home retain heat more effectively, minimising the necessity to boost your heating system further.
Karen continued: “If you have solid or cavity wall insulation, there should be much less heat loss. Patches or hot spots in the image could indicate possible gaps, poor installation or failure of the insulation, which should be investigated and rectified.”
Those eager to try out a thermal camera will find borrowing one the most economical route. Which? highlighted that various local councils boast their own camera loan schemes, while the London-based Library of Things also offers these for as little as £15 per day.
Octopus Energy customers can also use these cameras, although its programme is currently closed until the new year. Information on Octopus Energy’s website reads: “We’ve sent our cameras out to nearly 5,000 customers over the last few years, and we’re absolutely honoured that so many customers have told us that the camera loan has helped them practically identify how to save heat in their home.
“Right now, saving gas is more important than ever, with millions of UK households left struggling to pay record high energy bills. For Winter 2025, we’ve prioritised camera loans for those who need it most.”
For those with more flexible finances, hiring a professional thermal assessment is an alternative, costing approximately £300 for small homes and up to £750 for larger properties.
Which? encouraged homeowners to use its Home Energy Planning Service to identify their best options.
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