Thermal imaging cameras are being made available to Wiltshire residents so they can check for heat loss from their properties and reduce their energy bills.

These cameras can be borrowed from Wiltshire Libraries at no charge and will help to identify areas where heat is escaping, such as around doors and windows or plumbing fixtures linked to the outside.

By identifying these gaps, residents can make small improvements to their homes or consider more extensive upgrades such as insulation.

The cameras use infrared technology to detect heat loss and connect to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth, and are used with the FLIR ONE app.

There are 11 cameras in total, available for a one-week loan period, and they can be reserved and collected from any Wiltshire library by library members.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, cabinet member for public health, communities, leisure and libraries, said: "I’m really pleased that we have been able to make thermal imaging technology available to residents so they can easily see what improvements could be made to their home to make it more energy efficient.

"With energy prices going up, there may be small things residents can do to reduce their bills for winter and keep their homes warm to prevent health conditions, such as covering gaps around doors or windows, or get an insight into whether they need substantial upgrades such as insulation for their homes."

The use of these cameras is not only intended to help reduce energy bills but also to keep homes warmer during winter.

The council said a cold home can exacerbate health inequalities, worsening conditions such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease and poor mental health.

Even those living in modern or energy-efficient homes are encouraged to borrow a camera to see where heat might be escaping and to identify simple steps that could save money on energy bills.

Councillor Blair-Pilling added: "Even if you live in a modern or energy-efficient home, I would encourage you to borrow a camera free of charge to see where your home might be losing heat from and what simple steps you could take to save money on your energy bills.

"This project is another example of the huge amount of work we are doing to meet our climate objectives for the county while also supporting our business plan objective of empowering residents to live full, healthy and enriched lives."