Largest Range of Professional Thermal Imaging Cameras in the UK
Hire a professional-grade thermal imaging camera - for building surveys, electrical inspections, damp detection and more - with full support from our qualified thermographers.
Red Current holds the largest range and largest stock of professional FLIR handheld thermal imaging cameras available for hire anywhere in the UK - from entry-level models for straightforward building surveys through to high-resolution T-Series cameras used by the most demanding professional thermographers.
Every camera is tested and can be insured by us before it leaves, so you hire with complete confidence.
Unlike many providers, delivery and collection are included in the hire price and guidance from our qualified thermographers is on hand throughout, and with decades of active thermography experience across every industry sector, you are hiring from the people who genuinely know these cameras and how to get the best from them.
Thermal Imaging Camera Hire for Surveys & Inspections
Thermal imaging camera hire gives you temporary access to a professional-grade infrared camera without the capital outlay of purchasing one outright. This is excellent for when you have a one-off survey to carry out, are assessing whether thermography is useful to you before committing to a purchase, or you need a specific camera specification for a short-term project.
A thermal imaging camera detects infrared radiation - essentially heat - emitted by any surface and converts it into a colour-mapped image. This allows you to see temperature differences that are invisible to the naked eye: e.g. cold bridging in a wall, an overheating electrical connection, a water leak tracking behind a ceiling, or a broken circuit in underfloor heating.
Unlike traditional inspection methods, thermal imaging is non-invasive, non-destructive and can cover large areas quickly. Our hired cameras are supplied fully calibrated, with analysis software and user documentation, so you can get to work without delay.
At a Glance: Common Hire Scenarios
- One-off domestic heat loss survey
- Pre-purchase property inspection
- Periodic electrical panel checks
- Identifying damp or water ingress
- Locating underfloor heating faults
- Mechanical & HVAC condition monitoring
- Energy auditing on commercial property
- Short-term industrial maintenance cover
- Testing before buying your own camera
Applications
What Can a Hired Thermal Imaging Camera Be Used For?
Thermal imaging has a wide range of practical applications across residential, commercial and industrial settings. Below are the most common uses for hired cameras in the UK.
Electrical Inspections & Fault Finding
Overloaded circuits, loose connections and failing components all produce excess heat before they cause visible damage. Thermal imaging identifies these anomalies safely without touching live equipment.
Building Heat Loss & Insulation Surveys
Reveals exactly where heat is escaping through walls, roofs, windows and floors - including missing insulation, cold bridges and draughts. Widely used before retrofit works and for energy performance assessments.
Damp Detection & Water Ingress
Water retains heat differently to dry building materials. A thermal camera traces moisture through walls and ceilings with precision - without drilling or destructive investigation.
Underfloor Heating Diagnostics
Maps hidden heating circuits beneath floors, confirming even distribution and identifying any breaks or blockages - without lifting a single tile or floorboard.
Mechanical & HVAC Condition Monitoring
Overheating bearings, belt drives, pumps and motors are detectable before they fail. Thermal inspection is a core tool in predictive maintenance programmes.
Solar Panel Performance Checks
Identifies underperforming or defective solar cells by detecting temperature differences across a panel array. Dead cells and delamination show up clearly, often from ground level.
Flat Roof Surveys
Moisture trapped beneath flat roof membranes retains heat after the sun sets. Thermal inspection surveys large areas far more comprehensively than core sampling alone.
Air Leakage & Draught Detection
Used alongside a blower door test to precisely locate air leakage paths through junctions, around windows and service penetrations. Essential for airtightness testing and Passivhaus compliance.
Qualifications
Do You Need a Qualification to Use a Thermal Imaging Camera?
This is one of the most common questions asked by first-time hirers and the answer depends on what you intend to do with the results.
There is no legal requirement in the UK to hold a qualification simply to operate a thermal imaging camera. Many people hire cameras for tasks such as checking their own home for heat loss or identifying a damp patch, and this can be done without formal training.
However, if your survey results will be used professionally - in formal reports, insurance claims, BREEAM assessments, or commercial maintenance records - you should either hold an appropriate qualification yourself or ensure the work is conducted by a certified thermographer.
The internationally recognised certification pathway in the UK follows the ISO 18436 framework, with three levels:
PCN / ITC Level 1 (Category 1)
Covers infrared physics, camera operation, environmental conditions, error sources and basic reporting. Suitable for technicians following written procedures under supervision. A 4-day course with a multiple-choice examination.
PCN / ITC Level 2 (Category 2)
A 5-day advanced course covering calibration, data interpretation, equipment selection and directing Level 1 personnel. Level 2 is expected for most independent professional thermographers producing standalone reports.
PCN / ITC Level 3 (Category 3)
The highest available qualification. Covers programme management, writing inspection procedures, developing severity criteria and managing certification. Typically held by consultants overseeing enterprise-level thermography programmes.
Not sure about qualifications?
There is no legal requirement in the UK to hold a qualification simply to operate a thermal imaging camera. However, if you want to know more aout this, it is explained in more depth on our Electical Surveys page.
Have further questions about hire?
See our dedicated Thermal Imaging Camera Hire FAQs page for more information about hiring from Red Current Ltd.
Not sure which route is right for you?
Red Current's team can advise whether hire is suitable for your situation, or whether a managed survey service would be more appropriate. No obligation - just a straightforward conversation with a qualified expert.
Talk to the Red Current TeamBest Practice
Conditions That Affect Thermal Imaging Accuracy
Getting reliable results from your thermal imaging camera hire depends as much on survey conditions as it does on the equipment. These are the key factors to understand before you begin.
Temperature Differential
A minimum of 10°C between inside and outside is required for building heat loss surveys. The greater the differential, the clearer the thermal signature. Results below this threshold are unreliable.
Time of Day
Building surveys should be conducted at night or before sunrise. Solar loading during daylight heats surfaces and masks thermal signatures, making it far harder to distinguish genuine heat loss from solar gain.
Wind & Weather
High winds accelerate heat loss uniformly and can mask localised defects. Rain and fog affect emissivity readings. Calm, dry conditions produce the most useful results for building thermography.
Heating System Operation
The building's heating must have been running for a minimum of 4–6 hours before the survey begins. This ensures thermal differences in the building fabric have had time to develop and become visible.
Emissivity Settings
Different materials emit infrared radiation at different rates. Highly reflective surfaces (bare metals, glass) require emissivity corrections. Failure to adjust is a common source of measurement error.
Camera Warm-Up
Professional thermal cameras require a 10–15 minute warm-up period after switching on before measurements are fully stable and reliable. Factor this into your survey schedule.
Electrical Surveys: Load Conditions
Electrical equipment must be under normal operating load for a thermographic inspection to be valid. Components not under load will not reveal thermal anomalies even if they are defective under normal operation.
Camera Resolution
Lower-resolution cameras (160×120) suit many domestic applications, but professional inspections of switchgear, solar arrays or large buildings benefit from 320×240 or 640×480 resolution.
Hire Package
What's Included in a Red Current Hire
- Fully calibrated††, professionally maintained thermal imaging camera
- User operator manual and access to tutorial video guides
- Image analysis and report-generating software
- All necessary accessories — batteries, carry case, charger
- Expert guidance from a qualified thermographer
- Flexible hire duration — single day to extended periods
- UK-wide delivery and collection options
Things to Watch Out for When Hiring Anywhere
- Check whether the camera is recently calibrated — an uncalibrated camera may give temperature readings outside acceptable accuracy tolerances.
- Confirm the thermal sensitivity (NETD). A value of ≤50mK is preferable for detailed surveys; cameras at 100mK or worse will miss subtle thermal differences.
- Understand the sensor resolution on offer. A 160×120 is entry level — confirm it is appropriate for your specific application before booking.
- Ask whether analysis software is included. Raw images without software to annotate and report on them have limited professional value.
- Confirm what support is available during the hire period. Access to a knowledgeable expert in the field is invaluable.
- Check the hire terms around damage liability and what happens if the camera develops a fault during your hire.
†† Calibration is executed yearly or on specific request (additional fees may apply)
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
Insurance & Deposit Related Questions
There are two ways this could be organised:
1. If you already have Public Liability Insurance in place, hired-in equipment insurance can often be added mid-term upon request. The cost of this is minimal, often in the region of £30 and does not take long to get an agreement in place.
2. If you do not have Public Liability Insurance or amending an existing policy is not feasible, you can organise you own short-term insurance agreement using a company such as Performance Film & Media Insurance.
Insurance cover can be organised very simply & quickly for the duration that you require the equipment on hire. It is adviseable to add some flexibility to the duration of hired-in equipment insurance in case of any unplanned delays.
The below gives an idea of costs based on a 1 week hire period for the following cameras:
FLIR T540 (value £15,249) – Insurance Premium £96 for 1 week hire
FLIR T560 (value £18,099) – Insurance Premium £110 for 1 week hire
FLIR T640 (value £25,813) – Insurance Premium £141 for 1 week hire
FLIR T660 (value £27,715) – Insurance Premium £147 for 1 week hire
FLIR T865 (value £26,399) – Insurance Premium £143 for 1 week hire
FLIR T1020 (value £35,949) – Insurance Premium £170 for 1 week hire
FLIR T1030 (value £37,000) – Insurance Premium £173 for 1 week hire
All of the above insurance premiums carry a £250 excess. Prices based on data taken in August 2023.
