As winter energy bills bite harder across the UK, many households are seeking ways to stay warm without turning up the heating. The rising cost of gas and electricity, combined with older housing stock and poor insulation, has created a perfect storm of inefficiency and high costs. A less obvious, but increasingly popular, solution is making its way into homes: thermal imaging. Once reserved for engineers and surveyors, thermal cameras are now available to borrow or hire for as little as £15, a small investment that could uncover significant savings.
Spotting Heat Loss Before It Costs More
According to consumer group Which?, thermal imaging technology offers a direct way to detect heat escaping from a home. Unlike an X-ray, these cameras measure surface temperatures, highlighting where heat is leaking through insulation gaps, broken seals, or draughty edges.
Karen Lawrence, senior researcher at Which?, explained: “Thermal imaging can help you spot thermal defects – the places where heat leaks out of your property.” These include “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.”
Typically, red areas on the thermal image indicate warmer spots, while blue shows cold patches. From inside the house, colder areas can suggest draughts or poor insulation; from the outside, red spots might signal heat escaping unnecessarily. A thermal survey requires a temperature difference between inside and out, ideally 10°C or more, to provide the clearest contrast. Winter conditions, therefore, make the perfect backdrop for a quick check-up.
Borrowing or Hiring Cameras Offers Accessible Insights
Thermal cameras don’t come cheap if bought outright, professional-grade models often exceed £10,000, but there are affordable alternatives. Local councils and community initiatives such as the Library of Things in London lend out devices from just £15 per day, making thermal imaging more accessible than ever.
According to Which?, over recent years nearly 5,000 Octopus Energy customers have borrowed cameras through the supplier’s loan scheme. Although currently closed, the programme has proven popular with households aiming to make targeted home improvements.
For those with more flexible budgets, a professional thermal assessment may offer deeper insights. Typically priced from £300 to £750 depending on property size, these surveys include detailed reports, high-resolution images, and expert analysis. They can identify not just heat loss, but also structural issues like damp, bridging, and failed cavity wall insulation.
Most importantly, the insight from a thermal camera can guide homeowners towards the most effective solutions, from simple DIY draughtproofing to major insulation upgrades. According to Which?, fixes like draught-proofing alone could save households £35 to £50 annually, while comprehensive insulation can lead to much higher savings in the long term.
Using the tool in conjunction with Which?’s Home Energy Planning Service helps users build a personalised strategy for improving home energy efficiency. Ultimately, thermal imaging offers a rare combination of affordability, accessibility and effectiveness, quietly empowering homeowners to reduce energy loss, improve comfort and limit bills.
