Communities across Dartmoor urged to join West Devon’s free thermal imaging scheme

Town and parish councils across Dartmoor and West Devon are being encouraged to take part in a new winter scheme aimed at helping residents find heat loss in their homes and reduce energy bills.

West Devon Borough Council, working with Tamar Energy Community, is offering free loans of thermal imaging cameras, in a scheme that has run from 1 October 2025 and will run until 31 March 2026. 

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The scheme will allow community groups to borrow the equipment, carry out surveys on local homes and report back on the findings.

The council says the aim is to support residents during colder months, improve energy efficiency and cut carbon emissions. 

According to the council, homes account for about one-fifth of Devon’s carbon output. 

Identifying cold spots and draughts is seen as a straightforward first step to reducing heat loss.

A spokesperson for West Devon Borough Council said:

“We want to give communities the tools to understand where heat is escaping from their homes. Thermal imaging is simple to use and can help households decide what improvements would make the biggest difference. By working with local groups, we hope more residents will feel confident about taking action to keep warm and reduce their bills.”

The cameras provide colour-coded images showing temperature differences in walls, roofs, windows and doors. These can reveal missing insulation, gaps where cold air enters, or areas where heat is leaking out.

Up to eight communities will be chosen, with applications handled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Once approved, Tamar Energy Community will help each group train a local “Community Energy Ambassador” and run two events: an introductory talk about home retrofitting, and a follow-up session to review the results.

Each application must include at least six households willing to have their homes scanned. 

Groups must also provide a venue for their sessions and agree to submit a short report on what was found.

Residents who discover problems are encouraged to seek professional retrofit advice. 

Tamar Energy Community and Energy Saving Devon both offer guidance on home upgrades, grants and trusted installers.

A user guide explaining how the cameras work, and full terms and conditions for the scheme, can be found on the West Devon Borough Council website.