Camden uses thermal imaging to good effect
Investment in thermal imaging is playing a key role in helping the London Borough of Camden meet targets for reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption by 21% by 2015 and 40% by 2020. The technology makes for efficient identification of problem areas and the creation of public awareness through specially designed tags.
The borough has purchased a Flir B620 top-of-the-range thermal imaging camera, which is regarded as a significant move by its energy-management officer Danny Hunt. He says, ‘There is no quicker, non-invasive way to identify heat loss and gains. A thermal image is easy to explain, provided the operator is trained, and a good-quality image is a very powerful means of raising awareness.’
Mr Hunt is responsible for collating and analysing energy data from council buildings to identify energy-saving measures.
The use of the camera has led to the creation of a tagging system, which is in effect a calling card to enable the borough’s maintenance department and contractors to pinpoint problems highlighted by the camera.
One of the reports that the camera can produce makes possible the calculation of achievable cost savings when the identified structural problems are fixed.
Among applications not originally planned is using the camera to check insulation consistency after a major work programme to install cavity wall insulation in private dwellings in Camden.
