AN ENVIRONMENTAL community organisation has launched a free scheme to help people see where heat is escaping from their homes and reduce energy bills.

With rising energy costs and the electricity price cap due to "shoot up soon", the Ecodyfi scheme is helping people to help them decide how they could make improvements to warm their home and reduce bills.

Two Flir ONE infrared thermal cameras have been brought by Ecodyfi, thanks to National Lottery Climate Boost funding, to promote energy efficiency in homes. This is working towards Ecodyfi’s aim to benefit the local community through addressing climate change.

After attaching the camera to your smartphone, you are able to see surface temperature differences.

Ecodyfi reported people who have borrowed the device so far have reported that it helped them to see heat leakage around doors, windows and a loft hatch, gaps in insulation, and was "fun to use with the family".

People have found areas they want to draught-proof, and discovered that their roof wasn’t losing as much heat as they thought.

Dyfi Biosphere Climate Officer Freya Pryce is coordinating the scheme: "I encourage anyone in the Machynlleth area to make use of this great opportunity to use these tools.

"The intention is that they will help people target home improvements towards making the biggest difference in making homes warm and reducing energy bills. We want to empower people to use the tools themselves. We provide everyone with a user guide and resource pack."

One user said: "I think the loaning of this kind of kit is great - it’s interesting, engaging, and helpful to have specialist kit available to help improve efficiency.

"The idea of loaning also helps to reduce the need for individuals to buy expensive gadgets that would probably also get rarely used."

Freya added: "It works best when it’s cold outside and warm inside your house, so you can see the greater contrasts. Make use of it this winter by borrowing a camera from ecodyfi, for free."

To borrow a camera, visit https://www.ecodyfi.wales/climateaction and book using the link to the online booking calendar.

Contact [email protected] to arrange collecting the camera.

Ecodyfi, a bilingual locally-controlled organisation based in Machynlleth, was established in 1998 and has gone on to foster and support a greener economy and community.

The Ecodyfi’s three main areas of expertise are renewable energy, responsible tourism, and community development.