Over the long weekend period of 21-24th February Brian Harper of Energy Tracers carried out thermographic surveys of seventeen homes in and around Crediton. There were four groups of  homes. Each group had a hot spotter, a person who assisted Brian by showing him the way to the homes and providing  practical help during the surveys.

Sue Sims, the hotspotter for four homes in the Hookway area said " Phew! What a day! Isn't Brian a delightful passionate advocate for energy saving, and so many ideas!  We were supposed to take 2 hours per home but we did run a bit late partly I think because the Hookway houses are very far from being run of the mill, but also because everyone was so delighted by his approach, his enthusiasm and all the wisdom he had to impart. The Sims extended family household definitely had our wrists slapped as being the household with the greatest energy consumption ( we are 3 generations of 7 people including 3 young children, so some mitigating circumstances?) but all are now galvanised to take remedial action."

Charles Mossman who hotspotted for 5 homes in Cheriton Fitzpaine and Crediton said " Wow, a really eye opening day. It is frightening to see how much heat is lost through draughts. The good thing is that sealing the gaps is cheap and easy and will save some people £100's a year in heating costs. I found it amazing that even having lived in our home for 8 years, this survey found draughts I was totally unaware of - through light fittings in the ceiling, through tiny gaps where beams come through our ceiling, through gaps where pipes go through the wall etc. We have programmes on TV showing us how to refurbish grand mansions but not how to find and seal draughts! The worst home we found today for draughts was a 1980's bungalow! Every house on that estate is probably the same."

We may have another session of surveys in the autumn, so if you are interested please let Charles Mossman know.