Thermal imaging survey volunteer

Thermal imaging volunteer

Royston Environmental Group is a volunteer-run group that aims to improve the environment in the Royston area and globally. We want to bring together the residents of the Royston area and foster a better understanding of environmental issues and what you can do to help. We organise a variety of events and initiatives from Green Festivals to litter picks to Plastic Free Royston. Collaboration with other local groups and institutions is key to what we do. 

REG has a thermal imaging camera and offers free thermal imaging to REG members in the winter months. Prior experience in buildings is not required, just an interest in helping people learn about their homes and how to improve energy efficiency.

This role will include:

• Training on using the REG thermal camera, a HIK MICRO and the REG survey process. This can be arranged with Fiona and/or Carol at a convenient time and will take 1-2 hours. You can then borrow the camera for a week to practice taking and interpreting images.
• Delivering thermal imaging surveys to REG members at their homes. Currently there are a small number (<5) enquiries for surveys each year. The surveys can be arranged at a convenient time from about November to March - ideally the outside temperature should be at least 10 C colder than inside. During the survey, you will have a list of thermal images to take (for example, checking for draughts through and around windows, checking that radiators are uniformly warm and not blocked by air or sludge) and topics to discuss with the resident while completing a simple tick-box form. The surveys generally take about 90 minutes.
• Preparing a report following the survey. REG is developing a standardised reporting form to make this process easier. The form is currently in MS Word, but could be completed in Google Docs or OpenOffice if preferred. You will need to download the thermal images from the camera onto your computer, and insert the images into the reporting form along with a brief comment (for example, noting which windows were draughty and which were well-sealed). This report is then saved as a PDF and emailed to the REG member.
• Giving feedback to Carol and Fiona on how the survey process could be improved.

If you are interested or would like to learn more, please get in touch with REG.