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Energy inefficient homes in Knowsley are being targeted by a purpose built thermal image vehicle.

The new scheme is aiming to encourage householders to cut down on their fuel bills by installing installation their homes.

The Heat Streets campaign can photograph up to 1000 homes in an evening.

Thermal images taken by the campaign show how much heat is being lost through walls and roofs.

Blue means little heat loss

Showing energy loss

"We have a vehicle which goes down your road,” explains Sally Carter from Knowsley Council which is running the project.

"It's usually between six [pm] and about midnight because we need your heating to have been on a bit so there’s a differential between the temperature inside and outside the house.

"The vehicle is taking a thermal image of your home.

"When you get the picture back if it is showing red or orange it means you’ve got no insulation and all that heat is coming out.

"So we then follow that up with a visit to say to you ‘Would you like cavity wall insulation in your house?’

Red and orange show heat loss

"Similarly if it shows the roof blue or green then we know you’ve got loft insulation up there.”

Residents can  take a number of measures to cut down on heat loss including cavity wall and loft insulation, replacement gas boilers, full gas central heating systems and hot water cylinder jackets.

£You can save about £200 a year on your bills if you insulate your house really well," Says Sally Carter.

"Sometimes if you’ve just got a tiny bit of insulation that’s not enough.

"Normally it [needs] up to about 12 inches of insulation in your loft."

To find out more about Heat Seekers call Knowsley Council on 0151 489 6000.