Heat seeking vehicles have been driven through the streets Reigate & Banstead in a bid to find homes with poor insulation and its residents are the latest to get advice from Mark Group on how best to tackle the issue.
Using thermal imaging technology, the Heat Streets private homes insulation scheme has been adopted by more than 40 local authorities since it was first launched in the UK in 2008.

The scheme, developed by project management firm Energy Saving Partnership (ESP), has seen Reigate and Banstead borough council become the latest in a long line of local authorities and housing associations using it to make their existing housing stock more energy efficient.

After analyzing the images of 4,590 properties taken in February 2010 in Reigate and Banstead, Heat Seekers' experts have identified 1,558 homes they believe lack cavity wall or loft insulation. The scheme offers free home surveys and advice to residents about grant funding that can help better insulate their homes

To carry out the insulation measures, ESP has teamed up with Mark Group, the UK insulation specialist which offers cavity wall, loft and solid wall insulation.

The Heat Seeker vehicles operate at night when heating is likely to be switched on in residents' homes. Each heat seeking vehicle can assess up to 1,000 properties an hour. Letters have been sent to Reigate and Banstead residents informing them of visits by surveyors who will show them thermal images of their properties and tell them how much they could save on heating bills by insulating their home.

Cllr Julian Ellacott from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, said: 'The Heat Seekers thermal imaging vehicles have created quite a buzz in the sector and we were pleased to get them in action in this borough. The technology has already helped householders to make targeted energy efficiency improvements in thousands of homes across the country and we are glad that it will now be bringing offers to our own residents.'

Merthyr Tydfl county borough council was one of the local authorities to sign up to the insulation scheme and have reported that 525 insulation measures were sold and fitted in February and March 2009 alone in the borough.

Keith Hewitson, Energy Saving Partnership director, said: 'The thermal imaging technology used by Heat Seekers continues to help many thousands of homeowners throughout the UK save hundreds of pounds on their heating bills. And, thanks to the many grants and funding streams available to help with the cost of installation, homeowners can see a return on their investment in a very short space of time.'