Space tech maps heat loss in housing over Leeds

London-based Satellite Vu’s thermal imaging technology has been used onboard a specially equipped aircraft to gather data on the level of heat loss from individual buildings, thereby helping to identify those most in need of retrofitting.

Michael-Paul Kirstein, head of Flight Operations at Satellite Vu said the aircraft flew at 8000ft above ground with the ground speed varying between 120 knots and 140 knots for the duration of the survey, which took two hours.

The flight was funded by MCS Charitable Foundation and carried out in partnership with Leeds City Council, which will use the thermal imaging data to help residents better understand heat loss and to motivate retrofitting in the private sector. The data will also be used to bolster local area-based retrofit and other schemes by the council, such as a whole house retrofit of 300 mixed-tenure Victorian back-to-back homes in the Holbeck area of the city.