Thermal People

Infrared Energy Audit

Energy efficiency and weatherization of our homes and buildings is guided by infrared energy audits using thermal camera technology.

Why should you have an Infrared Energy Audit performed?

Energy efficiency is on the minds of most people today. We all have the responsibility of conserving energy to protect the environment. Escalating energy prices have made many of us begin to find ways to increase the efficiency of our homes and workplaces so we can cut the cost of our energy bills. Weatherization, the process of repairing and improving buildings for better energy efficiency, allows us to conserve energy and slash our power bills. An infrared energy audit is a great way to determine which weatherization techniques we need to use.

What is an Infrared Energy Audit?

An infrared inspector conducts a thermal energy audit with the use of a specialized camera. This camera is a thermal infrared camera that detects subtle differences in temperatures and displays these temperatures as a digital image. The infrared inspector analyzes these images, looking for areas of heat exchange that indicate warm or cool air leaving or entering the building. These areas indicate potential weatherization targets. The inspector will produce a report with printed images and/or thermal video showing exactly the areas of most concern.

After energy efficiency opportunities have been defined, selections can be made for handling repairs and upgrades. You can decide if you want to tackle just a few energy saving projects or all of them. The infrared inspector can help you decide which projects will yield the most in energy savings, and you can choose to start with these.

How will an energy audit with an infrared camera help me?

A thermal energy audit can pinpoint problem areas without damaging any part of the building. One of the biggest contributors to energy loss is insulation. The R-value is sometimes inadequate, it can be installed improperly, or it can be missing entirely. A thermal energy audit can find sections of a building that need insulation replaced without the need to put holes in the walls. Another advantage of an infrared energy audit is that repairs and upgrades are made only to the areas that need them. For example, instead of replacing all the insulation without actually knowing if all the insulation is inadequate, a thermal inspector can determine if this is a cost-effective project.

Doors and windows are often the culprits of huge losses of energy. An infrared energy audit can uncover air leak problems around windows and doors, and can detect broken seals in double-paned windows. Weatherization of windows and doors usually results in immediate savings on monthly energy bills.
Infrared inspectors can discover areas that have inadequate or missing drywall caulking. This type of problem typically cannot be detected without damaging walls, but the digital image displays of a thermal infrared camera will show exactly where this problem exists. Hidden cracks in building structures will also be revealed by the thermographic digital images.

Who can perform this Infrared Service for me?

There are many thermal infrared inspectors, that are qualified to perform energy audits, for you to choose from nationwide. A great resource for finding infrared professionals to inspect your home in your local area is www.thermalpeople.com. At this site you can search by state, city, zip code or even find nationwide inspectors that will service your needs. Thermalpeople.com lists both basic and platinum members on its website.

Can I do this myself ?

There is definitely more to an infrared energy audit inspection than turning on a camera and pointing it at some walls. It is always recommended that you seek the advice and services of a qualified inspector in order to obtain the most reliable results. However, prices of thermal cameras have finally reached there low point and it is now feasible for many people to either start their own inspection companies or add this service to their existing operations. If you don't plan to start your own business, then it is highly recommended that you contact a trained professional to perform the service for you.

If you do want to start making money with a thermal camera, IR-City.com the infrared superstore rates the RAZ-IR thermal infrared camera by Sierra Pacific Innovations as “the absolute best industrial infrared thermal imaging thermography camera.” The RAZ-IR is small and easy to carry, but performs the same highly advanced thermal imaging as much larger and more expensive thermal cameras. This camera will “take stunning thermal images” and “has a built-in in CCD camera for capturing regular images as well.” This makes it quite convenient to reference the areas of the building that need attention.