Environment project branded a "waste"

HEAT member Daniel Cukier said he had been invited to give a talk on the use of the camera, which was bought several years ago with a council grant and which aims to highlight areas in homes where heat is escaping.
But as he addressed the environment and planning meeting, committee chairwoman Jean Hutchings dropped a bombshell, claiming: “You would need to spend about £25,000 for a thermal imaging camera for houses, not the four or five thousand pounds that this cost.
“I’m sorry but, as far as I’m concerned, this has been money wasted.”
Mrs Hutchings also said she believed it was necessary for the HEAT thermal imaging project to be certified by the British Institute of Non Destructive Testing (BINDT)and said her son, who knew the field, had offered to give the committee a talk on the proper use of such equipment.
Mr Cukier said after the meeting: “We have checked the equipment manual and it does state that it’s designed to show where insulation is lacking in homes. I did feel we were shot down in flames a bit.
“We’re not asking for money and everything we do is voluntary. I won’t charge for my time and I’m happy to show people how to use the camera to see where their home is losing heat. The area can often be insulated.”
A spokesman for BINDT, David Gilbert, said: “Training and certification is available and ideally we would recommend it. However, it is certainly not mandatory. There’s nothing to stop anyone using these cameras to check for heat loss in their homes, they’re not that expensive nowadays.”
In its current newsletter, HEAT advises: “We're nearing the end of winter but now is the time to look at your home and see where you are losing that expensive heat. While we have some cold days left it's easier to see where heat is escaping from your property and implement any solutions for next year.
“HEAT has a thermal imaging camera which will allow you to measure the temperature of the exterior surfaces of your abode. The camera is easy to use. We lend you the camera after a brief introductory workshop and then you can interpret your own results.”
HEAT, a voluntary, non-profit organisation, evolved from concerns within the town council over the growing impact of climate change and the necessity to deal with such in an effective way.
It regards itself as a resource for the community and a forum for ideas and initiatives to reduce the impact of the Hungerford area on climate change.
A fundamental part of the process is to assess the degree of awareness and concern within the Hungerford community with respect to low carbon initiatives, and to understand how much of the community is already implementing change.
* ANYONE interested in taking up the free thermal imaging equipment offer should email Mr Cukier at Daniel_Cukier@hotmail.com