Whether you had a Heatview® thermal imaging survey with The CHEESE Project, or elsewhere, let’s talk about what you might want to do next

So your surveyor has been through all your rooms with a blower door going to depressurise the property, thermal camera in hand, pointing out all the possible issues and heat leaks. You just received a large amount of information and might be wondering what to do next.

Digest the information

As well as the full survey video and photos on USB, your surveyor should have given you a sheet to take notes with during your survey, or you might have preferred your own note-taking method. We suggest reviewing the sheet while your memory is still fresh, perhaps while walking around the property, while all the imagery is recent in your mind. Edit your notes as required.

Revisit the media

Don’t rely on your memory of the survey, no matter how confident you are that you recall everything that was revealed. Sit down and open up the USB of survey photos and video and you are sure to pick up some issues that you may not have fully appreciated at the time. You will find it’s worthwhile to come back to time and time again, even years into the future.

We also load some handy information on all our survey USBs that customers keep, including advice sheets from The Centre for Sustainable Energy which outline steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Be sure to review this additional information to help guide your next steps.

Prioritise Your Actions

Some issues uncovered in your thermal imaging survey may be urgent, while others might be minor inefficiencies that add up over time. Prioritise issues based on:

• Ease of fixing (e.g., sealing gaps in doors and windows vs. replacing entire insulation systems)
• Cost-effectiveness (low-cost solutions such as draught-proofing versus larger investments like wall insulation)
• Comfort and health impact (reducing damp areas, improving ventilation, etc.)

Shallow retrofitting or DIY draught-proofing

We can guarantee your thermal imaging survey will have revealed some ‘easy wins’ that you can dive straight into to start improving draughts around your home. We have a handy blog on this topic to give you some background information and a list of tasks. As with any home improvement, please make sure you prepare and inform your self and carry out any works using the correct tools and safety equipment. If you are physically unable to do the work, or can’t manage it for any other reason, take a look at the handyperson services available at We Care or Age UK.

Deep retrofit or planning larger-scale improvements

You might have already been in contact with Retrofit West thanks to their voucher scheme that gives homeowners an amazing 70% off the price of a survey (up to £500). From any page on the website, you can also click on the ‘Speak to an expert’ box at the top right to see some options that will connect you with free retrofit guidance.

If you’re considering bigger changes like external wall insulation, window replacements, or even a full house retrofit, look into local grants (such as Bristol City Leap’s Bright Green Homes), government incentives, or financing options to support your energy-efficient home improvements. If you are not eligible for some of the grant schemes out there, take a look at social enterprise Lendology for their specialised, low-cost loans.

Remember that your survey media is a valuable resource for any contractors you might use, so do share as much as possible with them.

Monitor Progress and Adjust

Once you have implemented changes based on your thermal imaging survey, it’s a great idea to monitor how they perform. Pay attention to improvements in temperature stability, reduced draughts, and lower energy bills. Some homeowners opt for a follow-up survey a year later to see how well their improvements have worked and to identify any remaining issues.

Thermal imaging surveys are an excellent way to make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective in the long run. By taking action on the insights gained, you can create a warmer, healthier living space while reducing your environmental impact.

Following up with The CHEESE Project

One month and also one year after your survey we will email you a follow-up questionnaire, and are always so grateful for your help in completing this for us. Information on how our customers are getting on after their survey helps us with our grant funding, which in turn helps more people to benefit from free surveys and draught-proofing workshops. It can also help to inform the wider industry which can influence policy change and other funding to help home owners and communities towards more energy efficient homes! So keep an eye out in your inbox. And you can also sign up for our newsletter for CHEESE news, events, or simple draught-proofing tips.