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Infrared cameras help with insulation estimates in Corning NY

Tech Update: Infrared Cameras

The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that a visual inspection sufficed for determining the quality of a home’s insulation. But even the best set of eyes and the most experienced inspector can’t spot every last deficiency without a few tools on hand. That’s where technology comes to the rescue. And like every other area of society, high tech is changing the way that insulation inspections are performed. That’s where infrared cameras come into play.

Infrared Cameras – 3 Types

There are three main types of infrared cameras...

A spot radiometer – also called a point radiometer – is the most basic type of infrared camera. This device shows the temperature of one particular spot, the place where the camera is pointed. You can think of it as a special type of thermometer. Instead of taking the temperature of an entire room, it shows the temperature of a particular point in a room in the same way that a body thermometer shows the temperature at a particular point in the body (such as the mouth, forehead, or ear).

A thermal line scanner shows temperature along a line. The camera is panned across a specific area, and a line graph shows temperature variations across that area. For example, an inspector might pan the camera from left to right across the front of a home, and the scanner would show differences in temperature across the face of the home.

A thermal imaging camera is what most people think of when they hear the term “infrared camera.” This device produces a two-dimensional picture of an entire area, and uses differing colors to show temperature variations over that area. The infrared camera is the most accurate type of device for showing temperature variation and for finding leakage.

Although an inspector may use any of the three types of cameras, the infrared camera is the most likely type to be used to determine an overall picture of the home’s thermal efficiency. We’ll assume that the thermal imaging camera is the type of device being used for purposes of this discussion.

Preparing for a Scan

You might think that an inspector or insulation technician can just show up and run his infrared camera over your home and, voila, the magic is complete. But there’s more to it than that. Certain times of year are better for scanning, and there are steps you should take to prepare for the inspection.

Always ask your inspector what steps, if any, you should take before an inspection. It is likely you will be asked to remove drapes, and to move all furniture away from walls and windows. This is so that the camera can have free access to areas where temperature leakage is most likely to occur.

Your inspector may also want the home’s interior to be kept at a steady temperature for up to four hours prior to the inspection. This may mean running either the air conditioning or the heating system to obtain the desired temperature difference between the inside and outside of the home. The reason for this “thermal loading” process is to set up the best scenario for a thermal camera to pick up heat transfer between the inside and outside of the home.

Finally, certain times of year may be best for the inspection, depending on where you live. Scans may be more accurate in winter for colder climates, and in summer for warmer climates. A temperature difference of at least 20°F is usually best for scanning. Again, consult with your inspector for all the conditions and requirements necessary to provide the most accurate scan.

Thermal Imaging – Digging In

Let’s dig a little deeper into how a thermal imaging camera helps with an insulation and energy audit.

An inspector may perform interior imaging, exterior imaging, or both. Interior imaging will likely include an inspection of the attic, but may also include other (perhaps every) room in the house. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, interior scans are generally more accurate than exterior scans. Either way, the resulting images look a lot like a splotchy color graph that shows shapes you may vaguely recognize as your home. The colors represent different temperatures, with reds, yellows, and whites showing heat, and blues, purples, and black showing cooler temperatures.

The colorful results from a scan will provide a great deal of information to the inspector, who will know how to interpret the findings. The scan can reveal bad or missing insulation, poorly installed insulation, gaps in insulation, abnormally hot electrical connections or devices, excessive friction from mechanical devices, and roof leaks. A tremendous amount of information is at the fingertips of the inspector. The infrared camera truly is a game-changer in tracking down thermal issues.

Odds and Ends

Hopefully you have the idea at this point that a thermal scan of your home will provide a wealth of information about its condition and thermal efficiency. Here are a few other things to keep in mind when considering this type of inspection...

If you are considering the purchase of a new home, then you may want to consider requiring a thermal inspection before you finalize the purchase. Why? Because even with new construction there is a good chance that insulation was either not sufficient or wasn’t properly installed. Also, being brand new doesn’t mean being perfect – new homes often have deficiencies in construction that aren’t apparent to the naked eye. And—hopefully it will never come to this—if you ever need evidence in court of poor construction, an infrared scan is usually accurate enough to be officially accepted into the proceedings.

Similarly, if you already own a newer home you may wish to consider an energy audit. Just because you can’t see thermal problems doesn’t mean they don’t exist. You could be throwing money out the window of a brand new home without knowing it if the insulation is deficient or improperly installed, or if there are construction errors. An infrared scan can bring these problems to light.

Where to go from Here

Thermal imaging is the latest and greatest in inspection technology. It is but one tool in the experienced inspector’s belt. And with that experience, a qualified insulation technician knows how to interpret the results of an infrared scan. Problems could be caused by insulation, construction, electrical devices, or mechanical systems. It’s important to pinpoint problems before diving into a fix – if, indeed, any fix is needed.

An inspection by a qualified insulation expert and a consultation with that expert is the next step in learning more about the quality of insulation already installed in your home and any possible thermal leakage. At Koala Insulation, our technicians are experts in all kinds of insulation materials and installation techniques. Our experts bring state-of-the-art equipment with them to thoroughly inspect your home or building top to bottom, inside and out. They will give you a detailed assessment of your home. They will design a custom solution to meet your needs, and will help answer your questions. And since every building is unique, your expert may suggest a combination of installation options to protect your home from cold, heat, moisture, and pests.

Don’t forget that the investment you make today will reap years of energy-saving benefits. Contact us now to schedule a consultation to start your journey toward higher energy efficiency and better protection for your home.