RESIDENTS can now view online just how energy-efficient their homes are using a new heat map.

Herefordshire Council has released results of a heat survey which was carried out in parts of Herefordshire in February this year over two nights.

The aerial survey used a thermal imaging sensor and shows which homes are losing the most heat using a colour-coded system.

Red shows high energy-use, orange- above average, yellow- average, green- below average and blue shows low energy-use.

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “Residents can see how their homes are performing and can then look at ways they can improve their energy efficiency.”

Residents of Hereford, the market towns and several selected villages will be able to check how much heat their homes lose.

The council recently re-commissioned Keep Herefordshire Warm, a partnership with local energy charity Marches Energy Agency, aimed at improving energy efficiency and tackling fuel poverty across the county.

Cllr Price continued: “Homes that are poorly insulated and expensive to heat can have an impact on people’s health as well their incomes.

"This survey will not only help residents see how much heat their home is leaking but also ensure the council targets those communities that need the most help."

The survey was commissioned using funding from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and it took place after 7pm, when the skies were clear and the temperature below seven degrees.

These conditions gave the best chance of domestic properties being occupied and having the heating on.

Fuel poverty in Herefordshire has been identified as a significant health and wellbeing challenge and the need to keep warm indoors, as well as wrapping up well when outside are key to achieving this.

Cllr Price added: “Obviously our results are only a snap shot in time and if people were on holiday or didn’t have the heating on it won’t show up as emitting any heat. "However, it will hopefully start people thinking about what measures they can put in place to improve the energy efficiency of their homes”.

People are being asked to be patient as demand for the website is expected to be high.

The results are available at www.herefordshire.gov.uk/environmental-protection/conservation-and-sustainability/building-heat-map.

Residents with any query relating to the survey or energy in general are being encouraged to contact the free and impartial advice line on 0800 6771432.