Overview
- Many UK councils, including Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, Kensington and Chelsea, and Portsmouth, offer free loans of handheld thermal imaging cameras.
- The devices, which typically cost about £200, help residents spot heat loss that, once fixed, is promoted as saving up to £1,000 on bills.
- Octopus Energy’s seasonal programme to loan 200 cameras closed applications for winter 2025 after demand exceeded supply.
- Research by Kingfisher and Cebr estimates inefficient homes add £3.8 billion to annual bills nationwide, averaging £299 per household.
- Energy charity Severn Wye says cameras are useful for initial checks but warns readings can mislead and recommends a professional walk-around survey for reliable diagnosis.