'Spy' plane to identify energy wasters

Christchurch City Council is considering using a spy-in-the-sky to identify poorly-insulated homes.

The proposal to use an aircraft with an infra-red camera to track down energy wasters is part of an ambitious plan to cut the city's annual $1.6 billion energy bill, with an aim to reduce energy use by every resident by 9 per cent, the Press reported.

Council energy manager Leonid Itskovich said the thermal-imaging map could shame people into improving energy efficiency.

"People will be shamed and will have to do something about insulation," he said.

"As soon as we do the thermal imaging, the map will be available for the public."

As well as the infra-red mapping plan, there are also initiatives to introduce free parking for energy-efficient cars, subsidise building consents for solar water-heating systems and introduce interest-free loans for home insulation.

- NZPA