Bluesky supports Kirklees warm zone project

27 February 2008, 4:00pm

Kirklees Council is using a thermal image map created by aerial survey specialists Bluesky to promote a GBP 20 million programme to improve energy efficiency in every household in the district. The Kirklees Warm Zone project is one of the biggest and most comprehensive programmes to tackle household energy efficiency and climate change in the UK and as part of the programme the Bluesky thermal image map has been published on the Council’s website.

Householders can simply type in their postcode, select their property and instantly get a colour-coded picture of how much heat is escaping through their roof and walls. The Council website also offers advice and information on ways to improve energy efficiency in the home including how the Warm Zone programme is being delivered and other grants that may be available.

Over a three-year period every home within Kirklees will be visited in order to assess the suitability for energy efficiency improvements. Suitable properties will be offered cavity wall and loft insulation FREE of charge, regardless of household income - a first in the UK.

Cllr Martyn Bolt, Cabinet Member for the Environment said, “The thermal image is a vital tool for communicating with residents. It clearly shows the scale of the problem and we hope it will encourage residents and businesses to address the issue. The images also support our work to tackle fuel poverty and climate change in the borough.”

Bluesky captured the thermal survey using an airborne thermal infrared sensor - a modified version of the technology used by the military for night vision. The survey, which captured over 200 sq km of the Kirklees landscape was flown mid evening in order to catch the widest variations in temperature which can occur as a result of poor insulation of buildings.

Bluesky supplied the Council with a thermal photomap providing an instant snapshot of hot spots by colour coding temperature ranges. Funding for the Warm Zone programme is being provided by Kirklees Council, Scottish Power, National Grid, the Regional Housing Board, Scottish Power Energy People Trust and British Gas Energy Trust and ongoing funding bids will be made throughout the lifetime of the project. The Warm Zone brand was established by the Government in 2000 and has already helped more than half a million UK households.

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