How Infrared Cameras Improve Building Inspections and Prevent Energy Loss

Most building owners don't realize how much energy their buildings are losing, due to invisible or concealed issues. Insufficient insulation, hidden moisture, air leaks, overheating of components, and uneven heating systems can lead to increased energy use and costs. Some issues related to traditional building inspections can be remedied, but concealed issues usually have to be discovered by specialized equipment.

Infrared technology has been a true game-changer in this regard. Since infrared cameras detect heat radiation, infrared inspections help building owners and managers find hidden or out-of-view issues without the need to remove materials and/or disturb the systems in a building. Better yet, inspections can then be done quicker, easier, and with more valuable insights.

The use of infrared thermographic inspections can help discover several building deficiencies related to heat loss, moisture issues, faulty insulation, and other building-related issues. An inspection using infrared technology with the correct methodology can be invaluable to owners because it can help lower energy waste and decrease expensive repairs.

Infrared Cameras

Infrared Cameras, or thermal imaging cameras, detect radiation from objects and transform temperature into thermal images. Infrared cameras contain much more information than traditional, visible light cameras, which only view what the eye can see.

For instance, if an area on a wall has varying temperature to other surrounding areas, it may indicate a building deficiency such as moisture, air leaks, missing insulation or other building related issues. The thermal image provides the inspector a starting point to begin an investigation to find the root of the issue.

Importantly, infrared imaging usually does not require destructive testing. So inspectors can analyze larger areas faster without having to test and damage walls, ceilings, or floors.

How Infrared Cameras Support Building Inspections

Buildings can look fine on the outside, but still have serious problems. Infrared imaging provides more information than what can be seen with the naked eye.

first, by detecting missing or damaged insulation

Insulation helps keep a building cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Missing or misplaced insulation allows heat to escape and enter the building.

Infrared cameras detect temperature patterns and can help locate problem areas.

Finding insulation problems early can help property owners determine where energy improvements may have the greatest impact.

second, by indicating heat loss

Heat loss is one of the main contributors to excessive energy consumption. Infrared imaging shows where heated air is escaping from gaps in roofs, walls, windows, doors, and other places in the building.

infrared cameras show where cold spots are present.

Once the inefficiencies are found, repairs or adjustments can be made.

third, by locating air leaks

Small leaks around building gaps like windows, doors, vents, and joints can hurt the efficiency of a building's heating and cooling over time.

infrared imaging helps locate the gaps.

Infrared technology has the potential to show temperature patterns and airflow movement. Thermal imaging does not always provide the source of air leaks, but it does help inspectors locate regions of interest where subsequent testing can be performed.

Using infrared therefore complements more detailed building energy assessments.

Infrared Cameras and Moisture Detection

Moisture-related issues can also impact building performance and deterioration. Moisture can sometimes affect building materials in ways that can be detected through thermal imaging.

Infrared imaging can locate regions behind walls, floors and ceilings that may be concealing moisture. It is important to note that thermal imaging cannot be used to measure the moisture content of a given material. Other methods must be used to confirm whether moisture is present.

Identification of moisture is important because it can lead to costly maintenance and structural repairs due to deterioration of materials and growth of mold.

Infrared Technology and Electrical Safety and Efficiency

Infrared technology can be used on more than walls and insulation. Infrared Cameras are also able to inspect electrical systems.

Abnormal heat can be generated by loose connections, overloaded circuits, unbalanced loads, and failing electrical components. While equipment is in its working state, thermal cameras can be used to detect hot components.

This is very beneficial to maintenance teams because it can save the company from losing money on equipment failure and being forced to do an emergency shutdown.

For commercial and industrial buildings, thermographic inspections that focus on energy management and preventive maintenance, can be scheduled on a routine basis.

Inspecting HVAC Systems

A large amount of energy is used by an HVAC system. A decrease in the efficiency of the system may lead to an increase in energy costs and a decrease in the level of indoor comfort.

Value is found in repeated inspections to identify temperature inconsistencies of the HVAC system’s various components, ductwork, radiators, piping, and associated apparatus. For instance, temperature patterns that are nonconforming could indicate an area that needs repair or further attention.

Identification of HVAC issues will enable the building owner to address the issues before they become worse and more costly, as well as to prevent greater indoor comfort concerns.

Roof and Building Envelope Inspections

The roof of the building is a vital part of the energy envelope. The roof assembly can be negatively impacted by insulation, moisture, or heat distribution, and can lead to reduced energy efficiency for the roof and the assembly.

Thermal imaging of the roof is able to identify different temperature patterns on the roof of a building. In appropriate circumstances, these patterns can assist the inspector(s) in determining the location of concern that may need further examination.

Thermal Elite Inc. is able to combine thermal imaging and inspection skills to help solve a building's thermal challenge.

How Infrared Inspections Stop Energy Loss

A major advantage of thermal imaging is the ability to detect temperature differences and changes.

The use of conventional inspection methods to determine the cause for the complaints regarding one office being cold would likely take the inspector to the HVAC equipment and thermostats. From an infrared perspective, the most likely cause is a poorly insulated wall, an air leak around a window and many other localized issues.

If the owner of the building chooses not to carry out unnecessary repairs around the building, the building owner can instead direct their resources to the area most in need of repair.

The targeted repair can contribute to the reduction of wastage of energy, improve the comfort of occupants, and lower the cost of operations in the long run.

The Benefits of a Professional Thermal Inspection

The advantages of professional infrared inspections are many.  Firstly, the testing is non-invasive. Inspections can be carried out without opening the walls. Secondly, large surfaces can be assessed quickly. Thirdly, problems can be assessed early. Thermal patterns show heat loss. Inspections can be done to improve efficiency of the equipment. Inspections can also be done as a way of maintaining the equipment. Inspections can also show the areas that require additional work. Inspections can show thermal images that can be useful in writing inspection reports. Essentially, infrared imaging should be evaluated by someone well versed in building science and the limitations of thermal cameras.

Why Early Detection is Important

Problems in buildings should never be ignored. Minor defects may cost an owner more money to repair in the future due to wastage of energy, create further damage to the materials, or lead to failure of an important piece of equipment.

Infrared Cameras provide an opportunity for property owners to detect problems early. Owners can investigate the cause and implement a remedy before the costly situation worsens.

This proactive methodology is most applicable to large building units involving commercial, industrial, and institutional establishments as well as warehouses and large residential units. Increased energy consumption and elevated maintenance demands can present a steep cost burden to building users.

Selecting the Best Infrared Inspection Service

Not all thermal imaging is the same. The methodology, the conditions, building materials, surface characteristics, temperatures, and operation of equipment and how the inspection was performed can influence the results of a thermal survey.

Building owners should select an inspection service with experience as performing and analyzing thermographic inspections is a specialized area.

Thermo Elite Inc specializes in thermographic inspections and the use of infrared imaging to assist building owners in determining hidden issues and energy-related problems. A professional inspection can combine thermographic inspections with traditional methods.

Conclusion

Although energy loss cannot be seen, the consequences of poor energy controls can drive up costs and lower building performance.

Infrared cameras empower the inspector to view and diagnose hidden problems without the constraints of a traditional visual Building condition assessment.

Thermal imaging can be a powerful tool in the areas of energy efficiency and building management, as well as expanding the domain of preventive maintenance.

For building owners interested in assessing hidden problems or building energy loss, a thermographic inspection from Thermo Elite Inc can be very informative.

FAQs

Are Infrared Cameras good for house inspections?

Yes, Infrared Cameras are good for finding temperature-related issues tied to insulation gaps, air leakage, moisture, and HVAC. You should always use tests that confirm your suspicions.

Can thermal imaging measure the loss of energy?

No. Thermal cameras measure radiation and display differences in heat. They cannot quantify the total energy loss. They can show thermal patterns of heat loss and/or transfer.

Can infrared imaging find hidden water leaks?

Not always. Thermal imaging can detect moisture-related temperature patterns, but does not measure moisture. Further moisture testing would be needed for confirmation.

Why should I go with a professional infrared inspection?

Professionals understand the patterns of temperature, as well as the environment, the camera and its limitations, and the building materials. You work with professionals to interpret thermal patterns and images, rather than assuming and treating each image as a problem.

What does Thermo Elite Inc do?

Thermo Elite Inc will use thermography for inspections for building related issues associated with heat loss, moisture, and insulation among other thermal abnormalities. Clients needing to determine the extension of issues or the need for corrective measures will benefit from a professional inspection.