MORE than 75,000 homes in the North-East have had their energy efficiency assessed by a heat-detecting car.

Experts say that about 30 per cent of properties surveyed would benefit from improved insulation.

The heat-seeking vehicle assessed homes in Sedgefield, Derwentside and Wear Valley, in County Durham, and Blyth, in Northumberland.

The car uses a thermal imaging camera to record heat loss.

It is driven past homes at night in the winter and spring, when occupants are most likely to have their heating on.

The vehicle can assess up to 1,000 properties an hour.

Advisors then visit residents and show them a thermal scan of their home.

They explain the results and how the householder can reduce their energy bills and carbon dioxide production.

The scheme is being run by the Energy Saving Partnership (ESP), which is in talks with councils to include the work with other energy efficiency improvement programmes.

ESP director Keith Hewitson said: “Our surveyors are keen to spread the word about grant funding, which is easily available to all homeowners, which significantly reduces the cost of insulation improvements.

“The technology has already helped improve energy efficiency in thousands of homes across the country.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband praised the heat-seeking car.

He said: “People can save lots of money by insulating their houses, and this is designed to let them know what they can do.”

Insulation work is carried out by national energy efficiency installation company the Mark Group.

ESP said the process was not an invasion of privacy because the scan cannot see through walls or windows.

No details of the homeowner or tenant are captured during the scanning process.