The partners have submitted a funding application to Dundee City Council’s Dundee Climate Fund, which will hopefully fund an energy advisor and thermal imaging equipment, as well as other support.

If the funding is successful, the energy advisor would offer advice and support to individuals on all aspects of energy saving and efficiency. A thermal imaging camera can be used to actively looking for properties where improvements can be made for residents.

The innovative camera reveals hidden heat loss such as missing insulation and hidden air gaps. In addition to offering support to individuals, the project will also involve liaison with landlords to offer advice and support on energy efficiency measures that will improve their properties, benefiting tenants. The project will also provide upskilling opportunities for local community groups and volunteers to spot and signpost residents for support.

The project would also raise awareness of climate change and energy efficiency with young people through schools and other youth services.

The prospective project is being backed and supported by Professor Fionn Stevenson, a recently retired world-renowned expert on housing performance evaluation, who is keen to give back to the city. She is a member of Stobswell Forum and has carried out numerous projects like this. in the UK and abroad as an academic researcher while at the University of Dundee, the University of Oxford and the University of Sheffield over a period of 20 years. She will contribute her time on a voluntary basis to support some of the activities detailed in this bid.

Professor Stevenson has particular skills in facilitating community engagement with housing performance evaluation, and has worked in the past with Scottish Homes, various local authorities, housing associations and national private housing developers such as Stewart Milne and Barratt Homes.

Professor Stevenson said: “This project will help to show residents exactly where they are losing heat in their homes, including bits they can’t normally see. It will also help us to really target the energy advice to where it is most needed – using a state-of-the-art heat measuring camera.”
Colin Clement, Stobswell Forum chairperson, added: “The Forum are delighted to be working in partnership with Hillcrest Homes to deliver an innovation led response the very difficult situation that many tenants across the city are facing in dealing with the current cost of living crisis.”

Joy Melville, Hillcrest tenant services manager and member of Stobswell Forum, added: “This is an exciting project taking advice and support directly to those in the community who need it most.”