Street Champions from the Low Carbon Zone which covers Ham and Petersham have come up with a unique way to help their neighbours and friends to save money, using thermal imaging cameras.

On Monday night a newly trained team of Street Champion volunteers donned Halloween outfits and took to the streets armed with the high-tech cameras to help people see if their home was an ‘energy trick’ or an ‘energy treat.’

The environmentally friendly ‘spooks’ showed householders how the cameras, provided by Richmond Council, worked, so they could take a picture of their own home to show where heat is lost from the property.

The Street Champion volunteers then gave advice on how to prevent the heat escaping and explained about grants for insulation or workshops that can show them how to draught proof their homes.

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s Strategic Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, said: “The thermal imaging cameras and training was organised by the Council, but the efforts of the Street Champions was what made the Halloween check up a great success story.

“Families are still feeling the pinch as the cost of living rises. These thermal imaging cameras show exactly where the heat is getting out of their homes so they can do something about it and cut their fuel bills. I’m pleased that working together with local people, we’ve been able to make a difference to dozens of our residents.”

Chas Warlow, founder member of Ham and Petersham Street Champions said: “Thermal imaging in Ham and Petersham has proven to be a major way of engaging residents in the issues of energy efficiency. The thermal imaging sessions have been run by Street Champions but ultimately driven by residents’ interest.”

Seven households benefitted from the cameras in Monday night’s tour and received advice on how they could improve the energy consumption of their homes. Further sessions will be run through the autumn and winter.

Street Champions volunteers who carried out Monday night’s Halloween check up have received certified training by specialists, funded as part of the Low Carbon Zone project. In total, more than a dozen Street Champions have now been trained and they will continue to recruit and train other Champions to expand the network of those able to use the cameras.

If you are a resident in Ham and Petersham and would like to have a thermal image taken of your home, or to find out more about the Low Carbon Zone, please visit www.richmond.gov.uk/gogreen