Bluesky has developed a thermal mapping service which lets housing providers check on heat loss from their properties over the internet or via integration with their geographic information systems.
Bluesky thermal maps reveal property ‘hot-spots’ using a colour-coded temperature map. Matched to Ordnance Survey maps and address records, visitors to a website can simply type in an address and instantly get an idea of how much heat is escaping. Integration with GIS allows thermal data to be compared with other mapping layers such as the locations of public buildings and social housing, as well as social data such as indices of deprivation and homes of the elderly. This allows the effective targeting of heat conservation initiatives and resources.
Bluesky uses an airborne thermal infrared sensor which is a modified version of technology used by the military for night vision. Surveys are typically undertaken two hours after dark on weekdays during school term time, giving the best view of energy use at peak times.
