Londoners borrow thermal cameras to cut heat loss

"Our house was absolutely freezing and the landlord wasn't going to do anything about it," said Christopher, who used a thermal imaging camera to identify heat loss through his windows.

The Pimlico resident was one of hundreds of Londoners who used the technology for free from the Library of Things.

Normally £15 a day to hire, the thermal imaging cameras were provided in response to rising energy bills and widespread concerns about cold, damp and poorly insulated housing in the capital.

Many renters using the scheme said they lived in cold homes and felt forced to make small improvements themselves when their landlords were reluctant to invest in repairs.

Homeowner Damian Bourke used a thermal imaging camera to assess the effectiveness of heating improvements.

The 34-year-old from Bromley borrowed a camera in January to analyse the efficiency of his newly renovated home.

Bourke said: "Most of us aren't involved in construction or architecture, so it was important to check whether we got what we paid for."

Ambra, who lives in Brentford, borrowed a camera after receiving what she described as generic advice from an eco-consultant.

After using the technology, she installed loft insulation, replaced doors and switched her boiler to an air source heat pump.

"The thermal camera helped me balance cost and benefit," she said.

More than 600 people have accessed the scheme so far, and have used the cameras to identify draughty windows, poorly insulated walls and cold floors.

Greener and Cleaner, one of the organisations that partnered with the Library of Things to provide the cameras, also runs free advice sessions to help people reduce their energy bills.

Parisa Wright, founder of the Bromley charity, said: "We've got a cost of living crisis but we've also got a mental and physical health crisis."

She said many people visiting the hub reported sleeping in coats and living in damp, mouldy homes - conditions that can worsen respiratory and other health problems.

"It's a dire situation," Wright said.

Kyra Hanson, from the Library of Things, said the cost of living crisis meant hiring equipment rather than buying was more becoming "more important" to people.

The company has 22 locations across London and users can borrow various household items including drills, vacuums, sewing machines and speakers.

"It doesn't make sense to spend hundreds of pounds on items you'll only use once or twice, so shared resources are essential," Hanson said.

The free thermal imaging camera scheme, run in partnership with 17 London organisations, runs until 28 February.

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