Borrow our thermal imaging cameras

See where your home is losing heat, start conversations in your community, and help people take practical steps to save energy.

Our cameras are free to borrow for Low Carbon Hub Community Groups. They can be used for household surveys or community building scans.

Community groups can book a camera using the online form below.
If you’d like to see how your home performs, get in touch with your local group – they’ll let you know if thermal imaging surveys are happening nearby.

For best results, carry out surveys on cold, dry winter evenings, ideally when there’s at least a 10–15°C difference between indoors and outdoors. Do plan ahead – camera availability is limited and they are in high demand over winter.

Why thermal imaging matters

Thermal imaging makes the invisible visible. By using an infrared camera, you can quickly see where heat is escaping from a building: through poorly insulated walls, gaps around windows, unsealed floorboards, or draughty loft hatches.

For homeowners, it’s often the first time they see clear, tangible evidence of where their home is losing heat. That simple image can be the spark that leads to action.

For community groups, thermal imaging is a powerful way to engage people locally. It creates conversations, builds awareness, and encourages households to make improvements that cut bills, reduce carbon, and keep homes warmer.

What groups get: free use of our thermal imaging cameras, training, support, and ready-to-use resources to run local projects.

What homeowners get: clear images of heat loss in their homes, plus guidance on simple next steps and where to find funding.

A thermal imaging project is a fantastic way of engaging householders in home energy efficiency, by showing them tangible evidence of the main areas where their home is losing heat.

Cathy Ryan, Community Engagement Manager, Low Carbon Hub

In action: thermal imaging around Oxfordshire

From learning to use the thermal imaging camera to community groups taking it out on the streets of Eynsham. When used after training, it can reveal everything from winter heat loss (bottom left) to summer heat build-up in roofs and rooms (bottom right).

About the cameras

We have two thermal imaging cameras for local Low Carbon Hub Community Groups to borrow. These cameras help communities run projects that show homeowners exactly where their homes are losing heat – whether through walls, windows, roofs, or hidden draughts.

By using thermal imaging, you can see the problem areas for yourself and make informed decisions about insulation and other energy-saving improvements. Many local groups offer thermal imaging surveys as part of their community energy projects, helping homeowners take the first step towards a warmer, more efficient home.

Thermal imaging training and support

We support community groups to use thermal imaging confidently, safely, and proportionately.

Our training and resources focus on helping groups understand what thermal imaging can and cannot do, how to use the cameras sensibly, and how to support residents without taking on an expert role.

Our support includes:

• Clear, practical workshops for community groups
• Guidance on using the cameras and avoiding common mistakes
• Simple principles for interpreting images responsibly
• Advice on running a local project in a way that fits volunteer capacity

We also have a set of practical presentation resources that groups can request:

• Thermal imaging for community groups – focused on setting groups up confidently and safely before surveys
• Household energy advice – a stand-alone session for residents that complements thermal imaging without putting volunteers at risk
• Using our thermal imaging cameras – a simple instruction manual for using the cameras and avoiding common pitfalls

Additional resources from past sessions are also available, including a short guide to interpreting thermal images and the CAG Network’s updated guide to thermal imaging (PDF), which includes forms and templates.

Run a project in your community

If you’re planning to borrow a thermal imaging camera, we provide practical tools to help you run a project smoothly and responsibly.

Our resources are designed to support the whole flow of a community project, without adding unnecessary complexity.

Support includes:

• Recruiting participants using clear, trusted messaging
• Capturing images and information responsibly, with simple consent guidance
• Running surveys safely and in suitable conditions
• Sharing images with residents in a clear, proportionate way
• Signposting people to trusted next steps, including advice, funding, and local support

Alongside the more detailed CAG Network guide, you can also download a short leaflet that explains how to run a thermal imaging campaign (PDF) at a glance. This is useful as a quick reference for volunteers or during a live project.

Together, these resources are designed to help community groups focus on what matters most: clear communication, realistic projects, and helping residents take informed next steps at their own pace.

Next steps for homeowners

Had your home scanned? Here are some practical next steps.