Heat-seeking vehicles are to patrol the streets of Banstead in a council bid to reduce residents’ house emissions.

Council officials are to use state-of-the-art technology to patrol the area and measure how much energy is being wasted in each house.

Operating at night during the colder months, the “heat seekers” system will use thermal-imaging technology to detect heat escaping from buildings.

It is hoped the procedure will reduce energy consumption in the borough and help homeowners cut their electricity bills.

The initiative has already been introduced elsewhere, but will be brought into effect in Reigate and Banstead next week.

The system will be able to assess 1,000 properties in an hour. Once a specific area is scanned, a team of energy officials will visit individual houses anddicsuss with residents ways to improve domestic insulation.

Councillor Julian Ellacott said: "Thermal imaging vehicles have created quite a buzz in the [energy] sector and we are pleased to see them in action in Reigate and Banstead. The technology has already helped improve energy efficiency in thousands of homes across the country.

"The council is keen to ensure that residents are aware of the grant funding that is available to all homeowners to significantly reduce the cost of home insulation improvements.

“This scheme will play an important role in the Council's long-term plans to make homes in the borough more energy-efficient, cutting residents' energy bills and tackling climate change."

The programme has been developed by Reigate and Banstead Council, in partnership with the Energy Saving Partnership, a company specialising in energy-efficiency projects.

The council wants to meet targets set by the Climate Change Act 2008, which requires each UK council to lower carbon emissions by 26 per cent over a 20-year period.

Homeowners interested in a free insulation survey on their property can call the heat seekers scheme on 0845 390 9390. Calls are charged at local rates.

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