FLIR C5 Compact Thermal Imager: The tool against heat loss for energy-efficient homes
Challenge
The Greening Campaign, founded by Terena Plowright, has set itself an ambitious goal: to make the whole of the UK greener, one community at a time. This initiative aims to tackle a pressing problem: the widespread lack of awareness of the importance of energy efficiency in homes.
According to Citizen's Advice, the average UK household loses approximately £350 per year due to poor insulation. This loss rises to £951 per year for the least efficient homes. These figures highlight the significant financial impact of energy inefficiency on homeowners across the country.
The situation is further complicated by the fact that many of the critical areas where heat loss occurs are invisible to the naked eye. This challenge requires the use of specialized equipment capable of detecting and addressing these elusive energy leaks. Since the Green Campaign operates primarily through the efforts of volunteers, the tool not only has to be effective, but also easy to use.
Solution
Recognizing the need for an accessible tool to identify and demonstrate energy inefficiency, the green campaign selected the FLIR C5 compact thermal camera for its user-friendly design. Terena explained, "When we studied the camera, we thought, 'What would people use with confidence?' We chose the FLIR C5 because it looks like a cell phone."
Colin, a Green Campaign volunteer and surveyor, shared his enthusiasm for the potential of thermography to reveal numerous solutions to energy loss problems: "It was fascinating to hear how many answers there are to the problems people have with energy loss through heat loss. I personally, as a surveyor, was fascinated to see what results we would get using a thermographic camera."
FLIR C5 cameras were distributed to community members, allowing them to visually detect where heat was escaping from their homes, thus making the invisible visible.
Colin gives details about his and the volunteers' first outing with the thermal cameras: "We went on the first few, as amateurs. We were playing with the cameras, it took us half an hour to figure them out."
Results
Volunteers equipped with thermal cameras have been able to demonstrate to homeowners the tangible benefits of energy efficiency in a visually striking way. Terena shares the positive effect of making it easier for people to understand and address heat loss issues: "When you talk to people about energy loss, it's very difficult to get them to actually see it, but when you have it in technicolor, right in front of them, they really understand where that heat loss is.
"And that's the nice thing about these cameras: you can see even the smallest gap in the roof insulation."
Community member Kirsty explains her experience with the initiative: "Everyone was very nice; we looked at all the windows and doors together, pointed out areas I might not have noticed; it was very beneficial. I'm definitely concerned about reducing my carbon footprint." He also highlights some simple responses to heat loss: "Little things like draft shields - everyone can use them - closing the curtains early, keeping all the heat in... and it doesn't have to cost a lot."
In addition, the campaign has created a ripple effect: more than 200 communities are now ready to pass on their knowledge and experience to others. This grassroots movement, driven by the dedication of volunteers and the innovative use of FLIR thermal cameras, is creating a mosaic of energy-efficient communities. As Colin said, "What each of us can do: we are a drop in the ocean, but, really, all of us together are that ocean; we can make those changes."
The success of the Green Campaign underscores the power of community engagement, accessible technology and hands-on education to drive meaningful environmental change. It is a compelling model of how local actions can contribute to global solutions, one community at a time.
