Following the success of our Sling & District Recreation Club thermal imaging pilot, we’ve collaborated with Forest of Dean District Council (FoDDC)’s Retrofit Engagement Officer, and AURORA Ambassador, Sam Clarke, who has been rolling the scheme out across the district.
Here is what he has said about the rollout:
What has been the impact of the scheme so far?
Receiving thirty thermal imaging cameras from the AURORA project has been amazing, it makes this one of the largest thermal loan schemes run by a district in the country.
Even with the scheme launching in the spring and limited time for residents to loan cameras out before the weather became too hot for use (with a 10°C difference in temperature needed for the best results), we have already had some great feedback from residents, schools and business users.
To build on the Sling pilot, I’d like to help users understand how to interpret the images once they’ve captured them. Therefore, within my role, I have been meeting with residents, schools and community centres after they use the cameras to identify the priority areas for retrofit.
The cameras are great for picking up gaps in insulation, such as slumping cavity wall insulation, and also for helping people understand where their house heats up and cools down the most. Many of these measures can be low-cost, such as draughtproofing strips around windows and doors, and will save the user money on their energy bills.
“Not all energy saving measures cost the earth” – Community member who loaned one of the thermal imaging cameras
Is your advice centred around retrofit measures?
No, I’m also hoping to encourage residents of the Forest of Dean to rethink how they heat their homes, and consider how different building types retain warmth. With so much heritage housing stock in the Forest, I want to ensure residents are using energy most effectively. For instance, encouraging users to maintain a low-level constant heat will make the best use of those thick stone walls, reduce heat loss and improve the ambient heat of the house. Collectively, this can combat damp and mould.
Community hub hosts
Forest of Dean residents can loan a Flir C3-X camera from community hubs, schools and libraries from across the district. So far, the list includes:
Libraries:
Lydney Library (currently closed for refurbishment).
Schools:
Community Hubs:
Clearwell Memorial Hall, Newland Village Room, Redbrook Village Hall (managed by Newland Parish Council)
Rudford and Highleadon Village Hall (managed by Rudford and Highleadon Parish Council)
West Dean Centre (managed by West Dean Parish Council)
And of course, the Sling & District Recreation Club, where the scheme began.
Spreading the word
CSE and FoDDC recently attended the GRCC Village Halls Week event to recruit additional potential community hub hosts in the Forest. Around 10% of attendees were interested in becoming a host, which is encouraging.
The story has been picked up by local newspapers The Forester and The Forest Review, Sam also recently spoke about the scheme on BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
Sam is now preparing the second roll out that will be launched in Autumn with further hubs being added and also pop-up talks within the libraries around the district. The impact of this will go far and wide – a great legacy for project AURORA.
Find out more about the scheme here.
