REAP has developed a new social enterprise which will use thermal imaging technology to show where heat loss is most acute in buildings.

The thermal camera will allow individual homes and community buildings to identify heat loss and act as a stimulus for more energy efficient actions and a focus for where to site insulation. Combined with advice this will enable building owners to reduce their wasted energy.

·  Why use a thermal camera survey?            

·  Building heat Loss                   

·  Insulation and air leaks   

·  Underfloor heating and pipe work       

·  Moisture in walls and flat roofs       

·  Equine Thermography       

Why thermal camera surveys ?

Quickly analyse building performance

Infrared camera are the quickest and most accurate method of detecting heat loss from a building. An infrared camera survey can identify the exact point where problems exist and make remedial action efficient and cost-effective.

Easy non-invasive scanning

An infrared (IR) survey reduces the need for disruptive conventional inspection, is not disturbing to the residents, hence saving time, labour and money. An IR survey can show convincingly the level of energy efficiency of the building, finding areas where insulation is missing and of moisture ingress. In addition under floor heating systems and in general all heat related problems can be evaluated.

Building Heat Loss

Building energy loss becomes a pressing issue as heating costs soar. An infrared camera can do a lot to save on energy as it is the quickest and most accurate method of detecting heat loss and air leakage. An infrared scan can identify the exact point where heat is lost and can make remedial action efficient and cost effective. This is particularly important for buildings with poor ratings in an energy declaration, where improvements can be focused on the most relevant areas.

Apart from reduced thermal comfort during the colder month of the year, unnecessary heat loss is expensive and results in the pollution of the environment with harmful emissions.

Insulation and Air Leaks

Missing insulation, ineffective insulation and cold air intrusion can be easily detected and made visible to the naked eye. Poor insulation performance and air leakage through unsealed windows, doors and also skirting boards can account for up to 50% of the total energy consumption.

Underfloor heating and pipe work

Searching for leaking under floor heating loops or drilling in areas where pipe work is suspected can be both time consuming and very disruptive. With REAP’s thermal imaging camera, together with the eye of the expert such a task can be performed quickly and efficiently ensuring that comfort is returned to the occupants of the building.

Moisture in Walls & Flat Roofs

Moisture in a building envelope can quickly lead to the formation of black mould, a health hazard to the occupants of a building. Additionally, moisture can reduce the effectiveness of insulation and can weaken the structural integrity of a building if left unchecked for long.

Equine Thermography

An essential diagnostic tool to support vets, horse owners, trainers, and all equine professionals.

Equine Thermography can help with the following:

·  Observing how an injury is responding to treatment

·  Observing how a horse’s injury is responding to being brought back to full work

·  Check for a poor or good saddle fit

·  Check for good or poor circulation

·  Detecting joint stress

·  Detecting arthritic joints and inflammations

·  Check for soft tissue and muscle injuries

Funding  through the Climate Challenge Fund will allow us to offer free thermal surveys to those in fuel poverty or on limited incomes. At the same time REAP will be offering the service on a commercial basis to other householders and businesses so that at the end of the grant period the project will be in a position to have an income stream to continue offering a free service to those in most need. There will be opportunities to expand the commercial side of the enterprise into Home Energy Certificates. Both the social and commercial aspects of the thermal imaging enterprise will be contributing directly to helping individuals reduce their fuel use and make their homes more energy efficient.

This work will be linked to a year long demonstration project for the town of Keith to raise awareness of climate change and put in place practical changes. This will be in the form of a Keith Carbon Challenge to see how much the CO² emissions in Keith can be reduced. This would be done through a combination of providing the thermal camera service free to community facilities, individual homes and streets.

The Keith Carbon Challenge would also allow practical training sessions on how to change lifestyles to reduce energy dependency and increase the community resilience. The aim of this work is to bring together all aspects of carbon reduction which REAP and package them together under one cohesive banner. The outcome of this will be a greater understanding of the issues by the whole community as well as individuals who are better equipped to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information on energy conservation and some interesting thermal images see this article in the March issue of National Geographic Magazine.

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