Shenstone Environment Group 
Shenstone Environment Group have a thermal camera to loan out to anyone from across the Parish interested in exploring whether or not their homes have a heating issue. A condition of the loan is that borrowers must hold a current Staffordshire County Council Library Card.
The camera uses infra-red radiation to take images of buildings which, instead of giving a lifelike photograph, effectively provide a “temperature map”. These images can then be used to help identify points of heat loss, which may be either internal or external.
The images could reveal problems with, for example, insulation, draughts, damp, or clogged radiators and underfloor heating. Once any such locations have been identified remedial action can then be taken which results in improvements in comfort, financial savings, and a reduction in the building’s carbon footprint. Often there are simple solutions which the home owner can implement, but more complex ones may require professional help.
The heat loss images of the exterior of a building are best obtained when there is around a 10°C temperature difference between the inside and outside. Consequently, we are running the loan scheme from November to mid-April.
The camera is housed in Shenstone Community Library and loaned out from there, generally for 7 days, from Saturday to Friday. However, the camera will only be available once a borrower has received instruction in its operation, and this will be provided through evening training sessions held in the library.
You can express your interest in borrowing the camera either at the library desk or by Emailing pete.hedges@btinternet.com. The first training session is planned for 6.30pm on Wednesday 23rd October, with further sessions scheduled for Wednesday 8th January and Thursday 6th February 2025.