Infrared thermography is the process of using specialized equipment (a thermal imager) to detect and measure the thermal energy coming from an object, then converting that into temperature and displaying an image of the temperature distribution (a thermogram). Every object with a temperature above absolute zero (-459.67 degrees Fahrenheit) emits heat, which is invisible to the human eye because its wavelength is too long. Infrared thermography is the only diagnostic technique that enables the instant visualization of faults due to thermal patterns.
In its most basic form, a thermal imager includes a lens that focuses infrared radiation onto a detector that transforms the energy into a color-coded signal. Its design allows for measuring temperature from a distance, which eliminates the need for contact with the measured object.
The most common thermal imagers used in building diagnostics are spot infrared thermometers and infrared thermal imaging cameras. Spot infrared thermometers (or pyrometers) look like handheld radar guns. As the name suggests, they are used to detect and measure temperature at a specific spot. This type of thermal imager is perfect for use with hard-to-reach assets, such as heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations. Infrared thermal imaging cameras, on the other hand, measure the temperature at multiple points over a large area and create two-dimensional thermograms. They are an advanced type of thermal imager and involve more software and hardware than spot thermometers. The majority of infrared cameras provide real-time images. With the help of specialized software, they enable more thorough evaluation, accuracy, and report generation.
Due to its non-contact, non-destructive character and effectiveness, IR has become a widely accepted and valuable tool in various areas of building diagnostics, from detecting energy leaks and moisture intrusion in a building’s envelope to identifying construction defects and anomalies in electrical, mechanical, and VAC systems.
In terms of energy efficiency, an IR camera can detect missing or damaged insulation in walls and attics, and around doors and windows. All of these could result in huge energy costs by letting cold air into the building and leaking hot air during the colder months, and vice versa in the warmer months. Building inspectors can also use infrared thermography for locating pipes with poor or no insulation that could lead to costly heat losses.
When it comes to identifying construction defects, infrared imaging allows for a thorough evaluation of a building’s exterior, as well as wall cavities. Exterior insulation and finish systems, stone, and siding used for the facades of both residential and commercial buildings are all potential sources of moisture entrapment and delimitation if not installed properly. Additionally, infrared thermography can identify roof leaks with a precision that enables repairing only the problematic area instead of the more costly replacement of the entire roof.
For electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems, IR cameras can detect anomalies such as overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, thinned furnace linings, under-lubricated pumps, bearings in fans, and leaking and blocked HVAC components.
Finally, termites are cold-blooded, but they host bacteria that help them dissolve and digest the cellulose in the wood they eat. The digestion process involves the generation of heat, which can rise substantially in the case of a multitude of termites clustered in a nest. By tracing the movement of the generated heat in the walls or floors of a building, an IR camera can spot potential termite infestations and help inform pest mitigation.
In its most basic form, a thermal imager includes a lens that focuses infrared radiation onto a detector that transforms the energy into a color-coded signal. Its design allows for measuring temperature from a distance, which eliminates the need for contact with the measured object.
The most common thermal imagers used in building diagnostics are spot infrared thermometers and infrared thermal imaging cameras. Spot infrared thermometers (or pyrometers) look like handheld radar guns. As the name suggests, they are used to detect and measure temperature at a specific spot. This type of thermal imager is perfect for use with hard-to-reach assets, such as heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations. Infrared thermal imaging cameras, on the other hand, measure the temperature at multiple points over a large area and create two-dimensional thermograms. They are an advanced type of thermal imager and involve more software and hardware than spot thermometers. The majority of infrared cameras provide real-time images. With the help of specialized software, they enable more thorough evaluation, accuracy, and report generation.
Due to its non-contact, non-destructive character and effectiveness, IR has become a widely accepted and valuable tool in various areas of building diagnostics, from detecting energy leaks and moisture intrusion in a building’s envelope to identifying construction defects and anomalies in electrical, mechanical, and VAC systems.
In terms of energy efficiency, an IR camera can detect missing or damaged insulation in walls and attics, and around doors and windows. All of these could result in huge energy costs by letting cold air into the building and leaking hot air during the colder months, and vice versa in the warmer months. Building inspectors can also use infrared thermography for locating pipes with poor or no insulation that could lead to costly heat losses.
When it comes to identifying construction defects, infrared imaging allows for a thorough evaluation of a building’s exterior, as well as wall cavities. Exterior insulation and finish systems, stone, and siding used for the facades of both residential and commercial buildings are all potential sources of moisture entrapment and delimitation if not installed properly. Additionally, infrared thermography can identify roof leaks with a precision that enables repairing only the problematic area instead of the more costly replacement of the entire roof.
For electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems, IR cameras can detect anomalies such as overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, thinned furnace linings, under-lubricated pumps, bearings in fans, and leaking and blocked HVAC components.
Finally, termites are cold-blooded, but they host bacteria that help them dissolve and digest the cellulose in the wood they eat. The digestion process involves the generation of heat, which can rise substantially in the case of a multitude of termites clustered in a nest. By tracing the movement of the generated heat in the walls or floors of a building, an IR camera can spot potential termite infestations and help inform pest mitigation.
