An infrared camera produces thermal images that highlight temperature variation in a building and displays the varying degrees in vivid colors. Infrared (or thermal) imaging allows you to actually see in color what the naked eye alone cannot see.

How it Works
The infrared camera sees the normally invisible light that is in the heat spectrum. Infrared scanning of a building is a non-invasive method of revealing and displaying areas in a building that are lacking insulation that is concealed behind walls and ceilings. It can also show small cracks and crevices throughout the building. In older homes the combination of these areas can amount to a 5 foot hole in your home; thereby causing heat loss and air conditioning loss to the outside! An infrared camera can also discern wet spots caused by leaking roofs or plumbing problems, as well as dangerous electrical hot spots, and leaks in duct work.

These issues are not only wasting your money on heating and cooling costs, they add to your carbon footprint, and where moisture is concerned, can potentially be damaging to your building.

(Infrared scanning can also be used during the construction process to insure that insulation is properly installed prior to siding being installed, that there is caulking and filling of any voids around any mechanical protrusions to the exterior of the building before they are hidden up by other materials.)

Interesting Infrared Images

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The Inspection Process
While a thermal camera can scan the exterior of a building, variables such as wind speed and sunlight heating the exterior siding, do not give as accurate reading of the building as does an interior inspection. The interior inspection consists of a thorough scanning of the interior of the building (with or without the use of a blower door) to determine if there are any areas of air leakage or areas of dampness at the time of the inspection. When an area of concern is found, a digital and an infrared image are taken of the area. The thermal image is immediately shown to you on the infrared camera, and if a written report was requested, both digital and infrared images will appear in the report with an explanation of the area.

— If you chose, you may request a scan without a written report. You may take notes of the areas of concern that are shown to you on the infrared camera, and can take your own photographs as a reminder of the places you want to correct. See our fee schedule.

The Written Report
The report provides written and visual documentation that can be used by you as a "map" showing very specific areas in the building that need attention. There are some areas of a building that will show up as cold areas on the thermal camera, which cannot be changed; such as framing timbers. Other areas can often be corrected fairly easily by the owner; such as adding expandable foam insulation along the rim joists or adding some fiberglass insulation to the attic hatch. And finally, there may be areas that need the attention of a contractor to fix; such as adding blown-in insulation from the exterior where there is no wall insulation or the existing insulation has settled; leaving areas in the upper part of a wall without any insulation. With a written report, you will know exactly where problems should be addressed; avoiding the "hit or miss" approach to improving the building and saving money.

Colorful reports will be sent to your email address. If you don't own a color printer, you can forward this report to your local printer's email address (such as Kinko's, Sir Speedy, etc) for you to pickup at your convenience. (This will be an additonal cost from your local printer). Because thermal photography displays the areas of concern in contrasting colors, for the best visual impact, it is best that your report is printed with color ink.

Blower Door Option
An infrared inspection can also be performed utilizing a blower door. A blower door consists of a powerful variable speed fan, mounted in an adjustable panel that is temporarily placed in an open doorway. This allows air to move through a building in a controlled manner. Several calibrations will then be performed by the thermographer. The typical test pressure is about 50 Pascals – roughly equivalent to having a 20mph wind blowing on all sides of the building.

The pressure difference between the outside and the inside of the building that is provided by the blower door, allows for highly accurate diagnostics using the infrared camera. This is a more refined method that not only shows insulation voids, but also small unsealed cracks and openings that produce drafts; which may not appear without the blower door operating. All of these will show up vividly on the color infrared images.

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Wasting Money
With the ever increasing costs to heat and cool buildings, there is a growing awareness to curb energy usage. Air infiltration (leaks) can account for 1/3 or more of a home’s heating and cooling costs and may account for even more in small commercial buildings. Taking relatively simple steps to weatherize your building (such as weather stripping and caulking), will immediately start the pay-back process for the cost of the thermal inspection and any materials used to correct deficiencies. As a second step, adding insulation will immediately increase the thermal barrier of the building; thus keeping the temperature of the interior of the building where you want it—inside the building!

Whether you are concerned with the high costs associated with heating and cooling your building, are concerned about the potential for mold growth due to hidden moisture in the building, are attempting to lessen your carbon footprint, or all of the above, the use of thermal imaging by a certified level I thermographer (or higher) is the only non-invasive method to clearly show you exactly where problems exist. Ask to see the actual certificate.

Walter Liff is an ITC-Infrared Training Center certified, Level 1 Thermographer using the industry’s finest camera manufactured by FLIR — the world leader in thermography equipment. He has been trained to meet or exceed the standards of ASNT, is qualified to use the infrared equipment to the highest level, and is competent in understanding the readings, and then in explaining the findings to you.

Able Infrared Inspections offers a guaranteed thorough infrared inspection, or it’s Free!