Frequently Asked Questions

Below are a list of frequently asked questions which may help you understand more about the project;

• Why can't I see the colours on the map, or why do all the colours appear the same on the map?,
• What do the colour values actually mean?,
• I have loft and cavity wall insulation installed – why is my house still showing up as average or poor?,
• Why are buildings that have been demolished shown on the map, or why is my extension / new buildings in my area not shown?,
• When did the flyover of my property take place?,
• Has my privacy been affected by this project?, ,
• How much carbon are we hoping to save as a result of this project?,
• My House is listed.  Will I need special permission to insulate walls, roof or install double glazing?,
• My house is not listed, but I live in a conservation area; do I need permission to insulate my walls, roof or install double glazing?,
• I live in an historic building that is not listed or in a conservation area, do I need permission to insulate my walls, roof or install double glazing?,
• What is Warm homes, healthy people? 

• Q.Why can't I see the colours on the map, or why do all the colours appear the same on the map?
  A.You may experience a problem viewing the map if you are using Internet Explorer 8.  We have developed a fix for this problem but if you are still experiencing difficulties try using another browser like Firefox or visit your local library and use one of their computer terminals.
• Q.What do the colour values actually mean?
  A.The thermal values are intended as a 'snap shot' in time and are an indicator of how much heat is being lost through a property's roof on a particular evening.
  If a property is displayed as red or brown, it is losing higher than average heat through its roof.  Green suggests that a property is very well insulated but could also mean that the property is unoccupied and/or the heating is turned off.
  We have chosen five colours to represent the levels of heat loss, although we could have refined this further had we wanted to.  The scores relate to the relative roof emissivity (the amount of heat being given out) being recorded as 0 being cold and low emissivity, 256 being warmer thus high emissivity.  The specific values of each colour are as follows:

• Q.I have loft and cavity wall insulation installed – why is my house still showing up as average or poor?
  A.The map is based upon the highest heat recorded from buildings' roofs.  Your roof might have a better than average score for much of its surface, but there may be a point on your roof with a significantly higher score; this might be from a chimney or flue, or it might be from a section of your roof where you have a heat spot for another reason, e.g. a gap in insulation.
  
• Q.Why are buildings that have been demolished shown on the map, or why is my extension / new buildings in my area not shown?
  A.The map was made using Ordnance Survey information from 2006, which was the most accurate information available at the time. New buildings or changes to outbuildings / extensions may not have been identified by Ordnance Survey at the time of publication, so there will be inaccuracies in a project of this scale which are unavoidable.
  Worcestershire County Council reports corrections to Ordinance Survey periodically, to enable them to update their information.
  
• Q.When did the flyover of my property take place?
  A.A small plane with a thermal camera attached to it flew over every property in the county on selected evenings between January 2009 and the end of March 2009. Flying only took place on evenings when the temperature was between 1 and 4 degree Celsius and when there was no snow cover.  Please note that some flying took place over weekends.  For exact dates and altitudes, please view the flights line map   
  
• Q.Has my privacy been affected by this project?
  A.No photographs were taken and the mapping information (building outlines, roads, outbuildings etc.) used to create the thermal map was provided by Ordinance Survey.  In fact, Google maps already provide far more detailed information than that on our map.  If you wish to have the colour rating removed from your property please email us your postcode and the number or name of your house.
  
• Q.How much carbon are we hoping to save as a result of this project?
  A.This project is based on a similar project carried out in Wychavon District, one of the districts of Worcestershire, as a result of which over 2,500 households were assisted in installing loft and wall insulation and efficient heating systems.  Seventy percent of these households were occupied by targeted vulnerable residents. There was a carbon saving of around one tonne as a result of the project.
  
• Q.My house is listed. Will I need consent to insulate my walls, roof or install double glazing?
  A.Almost certainly, but check with your local planning authority’s Conservation Officer as some alterations will not require permission. Consent will be required for any alterations, external or internal, that affect the fabric, appearance and/or character of the building or its setting.  It is highly unlikely that you would get permission to put double glazing in a listed building, but other forms of insulation may be acceptable.
  
• Q.My house is not listed, but I live in a conservation area; do I need permission to insulate my walls, roof or install double glazing? 
  A.Check with your local planning authority’s Conservation Officer as this will vary from area to area and depend on what you wish to alter. Internal work is unlikely to require permission, but external insulation would require planning permission.  Double-glazing may require planning permission in some instances, such as where this is proposed for apartments.  It is advisable to check with the Conservation Officer.
  
• Q.I live in an historic building that is not listed or in a conservation area, do I need permission to insulate my walls, roof or install double glazing.
  A.You do not usually require planning permission, but you should check with your local planning authority's Conservation Officer.  If your house has been placed on a local list of historic buildings, then you may require permission.  Even if you are not required to seek permission, you may choose to look at more appropriate solutions for improving the energy efficiency of your home.  Historic buildings are a finite and non-renewable source in themselves and they define the character of your area. 
  
• Q.What is Warm homes, healthy people? 
  A. This is a source of funidng for winter 2011/12 to support delivery of the cold Weather Plan guidance.  The Warmer Worcestershire Network will ste up a number of project using this funding.  The funding has to be spent by end of March 2012.