Bringing thermal camera technology

from Bristol Weekly Magazine 10th November 2022

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THIS WINTER, SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL AND WARM AND WELL WILL BE BRINGING THERMAL CAMERA TECHNOLOGY TO LOCAL HOUSEHOLDS

South Gloucestershire Council wants to help residents save energy by loaning out thermal imaging cameras. These cameras will help people identify areas around their homes where they are losing heat. The cameras are easy to use and will be available to borrow from libraries across South Gloucestershire. They come with step-by-step guidelines to ensure residents can make the most of the energy-saving knowledge they provide. Launching the scheme, Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member for communities at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “We are one of the first authorities in the country to introduce these cameras to borrow from libraries, to help people reduce their energy use by identifying areas where they can take action. Not only will this save people money, but it will help reduce energy use and contribute towards the success of our climate emergency goals here in South Gloucestershire.” The cameras are being supplied in partnership with the Warm and Well service, which is run by local energy charity Severn Wye. They provide an extensive range of energy advice through their freephone adviceline and advocacy services and administer a range of grant funding for energy efficiency improvements. Those who use the thermal imaging cameras in their properties can call the adviceline for advice on dealing with any problems they uncover. Jacqui Harris, Project Manager at Severn Wye, is enthusiastic about the project. She said: “We’re really pleased to be supporting this scheme, which offers something different to lots of the energy efficiency support currently available. Using a thermal imaging camera will give residents an insight into how they can make their homes more energy efficient, but it will also empower them to look deeper into how they can make energy changes at home, and hopefully get back a feeling of control during this energy crisis.”

Call in to your local library to find out more about the scheme and take the next step on your energy saving journey. To find your nearest library visit www. southglos.gov.uk/libraries Warm and Well are holding a series of advice sessions at libraries across South Gloucestershire this November, where they will be available to answer energy-related questions and provide information on current funding schemes. If you’d prefer to get in touch with them by phone, you can call their free adviceline on 0800 500 3076, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, or get in touch via their website https://warmandwell.co.uk/ For other support and help with the rising cost of living in South Gloucestershire visit www.southglos.gov.uk/costofliving

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HOUSING NOW A BUYERS’ MARKET

Housing in the Bristol area has now fully-flipped from a sellers to a buyers' market as the cost of living crisis bites, according to a property agent with offices in North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

Estate agent Andrew Simmonds says the hike in interest rates last Thursday to their highest level in 14 years raising mortgage payments, has already had a noticeable impact on the market. An estate agents in Backwell, North Somerset and Country Property in Chipping Sodbury is reporting that there are now more people trying to sell their homes than there are people actively trying to buy with sales now beginning to slow.

He continues “For a long time in the villages around Bristol houses have had a queue of potential buyers almost as soon as they go on to the market. Really good properties in the best locations were selling without really being fully marketed. “The rise in interest rates last week was well signalled so we have seen the market evolve in the last few months and weeks. But it has now totally flipped to a position where sellers will have to work harder if they want their home to sell in a reasonable time-scale.

“All the indicators are that as a result house prices will fall. In some ways there has been too much heat in the market this year and this is a re-adjustment and as usual it will vary from location to location.”

Mr Simmonds says the rental market is still strong in the area with a shortage of accommodation for the number of people looking for a place to live. He said: “The greater Bristol area has a major student population who take up a lot of the rental properties available. It is also an attractive area for relocation and in recent times many people found it easier to sell elsewhere and rent locally so they were in a position to move quickly for a house when it became available.

“There were also many examples of people paying over the asking price in order to secure the property that they really wanted. In the last few months that has totally changed. “We are still finding a good level of enquiries for all rental properties and there is no sign at the moment of rental levels falling. With more people finding it tough to get a mortgage the rental sector will stay strong for landlords and difficult for those looking for the right accommodation.

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