The Importance of IR- Thermography in Building- Science and the Conservation of Energy in the Residential Sector

Michael Schneider Infrared Imaging Windsor, Ontario www.thermoguy.ca

ABSTRACT

Our state of the art infrared imaging equipment (FLIR EX 320) will locate breezy areas, poorly insulated windows, doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and electrical outlets that are allowing heat (and money) to escape! By pinpointing problem areas, repairs can be localized, often saving thousands of dollars in unnecessary work.

INTRODUCTION

A picture is worth a thousand words, and when it comes to pinpointing costly energy loss in your home, a cutting edge technique called THERMOGRAPHY is clearly the Academy Award winner. Thermography is a space-age technique in which highly sophisticated infrared cameras are used to photograph and measure temperature variations in your home.

All materials on earth emit heat energy in the portion of the energy spectrum, but the human eye cannot see this energy. An infrared camera not only records infrared images but also accurately measures the temperature variations of building materials. These variations could indicate problems in buildings, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and waterproofing systems.

With today’s rising energy costs, it is important to see where your money is actually going. Most people don’t realize that energy escapes your house quite frequently through doors, windows, or poorly insulated areas. Because these areas aren’t easily seen because they are covered by finished materials, it is near impossible to target areas that may be affecting your energy bill…..UNTIL NOW! A thermal scan will pinpoint energy-related problems caused by poor workmanship or material failure. With the costs of energy increasing, it is a worthwhile investment when you consider how much you could save on your energy bills just by fixing a few small problem areas.

BENEFITS TO YOU, THE HOMEOWNER

A thermal scan makes it possible for the homeowner to:

CASE STUDY 1

Figure 1. The Window’s Ghost

Figure 1 shows digital and infrared images of a home office. The homeowner complained about his office feeling cold and uncomfortable in the winter time. A visual inspection of the wall from the outside revealed a window that was bricked in. The IR image shows that when the existing window was removed and the opening closed in, there was no insulation installed, causing the homeowner’s heating problems.

CASE STUDY 2

Figure 2 shows a digital and infrared image of a bedroom. The homeowner noticed that this bedroom was colder then any of the other rooms in the house. The IR image indicated that missing insulation in the ceiling was the cause. Further investigation concluded that too much ventilation in the soffit caused the insulation to shift.

Figure 2. Cold Room

CASE STUDY 3

Figure 3 shows a digital and infrared image of an attic access point inside a closet. In this case, the homeowner complained about the closet being cold in the winter. The IR image shows that missing insulation on top of the attic access was causing heat-loss inside the closet.

Figure 3. Cold Closet

CASE STUDY 4

Figure 4 shows a digital and infrared image of the ceiling in a bedroom closet. This homeowner also complained about the closet being cold in the winter. The IR image shows a framed in and un-insulated attic access that was dry walled over and then forgotten by the contractor.

Figure 4. Cold Closet II

CASE STUDY 5

Figure 5 shows a digital and infrared image of the underside of a floor from the basement. The homeowner complained about drafts along the sill-plate in his basement. He had used foam insulation to fill all cavities and caulking along the floorboards, but still had drafts. The IR image shows air leaks along the T&G of the floorboards, which need to be sealed.

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Figure 5. Leaky T&G

CASE STUDY 6

Figure 6 shows a digital and infrared image of a bulkhead above the kitchen sink. The homeowner could feel a draft, and he thought his kitchen window was leaking but wasn’t sure where. The IR image shows that the draft didn’t come from the window but from the pot-light above it.

Figure 6. Drafty Pot-light

CASE STUDY 7

Figure 7 shows a digital and infrared image of a unique kitchen ceiling. The homeowner complained about drafts in his kitchen, but needed help locating them. The IR image shows cold air entering through soffit and into the space behind the crown molding of the tin ceiling.

Figure 7. Hidden Draft

CASE STUDY 8

Figure 8 shows a digital and infrared image of a spare room above the garage. The homeowner complained about cold floors and feet in this room, even though the floor was supposed to be insulated. The IR image shows cold air entering by steps and through electrical outlets, causing the floor to feel cold.

Figure 8. Cold feet.

CASE STUDY 9

Figure 9 shows a digital and infrared image of a spare bedroom. The homeowner complained about their child’s bedroom always feeling cold in the winter. The IR image shows missing insulation in the roof rafters as well as cold air entering the area from the unheated attic behind the knee wall.

Figure 9. Cold Corner

CASE STUDY 10

Figure 10 shows a digital and infrared image of a kitchen ceiling. The elderly homeowner had a pot-light installed over their kitchen sink. They noticed their hydro bills increasing afterwards, and they thought the wattage of the light bulb might be the problem. Taking an IR image of the ceiling showed missing insulation in the area of the pot-light. A visual inspection of the area from the attic above showed blown-in insulation removed and no cover on the fixture. The higher bill was caused by heat escaping into the attic due to the poor installation of pot-light.

CASE STUDY 11

Figure 11 shows a digital and infrared image of a bathroom ceiling. The homeowner felt that his bathroom was always cold and drafty. The IR image shows cold air infiltrating from outside and into the space between the 2nd floor and bathroom ceiling, then entering through the fixtures into the room.

CASE STUDY 12

Figure 12 shows a digital and infrared image of a patient room in a chiropractor clinic. The chiropractor complained that this room always seemed to be warmer then the rest of the rooms. The unit next door has a pizza oven on this wall. The landlord told the chiropractor that the wall was insulated. Inspection with the IR camera showed that areas of missing insulation in the wall allowed heat from the oven to radiate into the room, causing the increase in temperature.

CASE STUDY 13

Figure 13 shows a digital and infrared image of a foyer. During a home inspection a piece of missing insulation was discovered in the attic of the foyer.

CASE STUDY 14

Figure 14 shows a digital and infrared image of a bathroom ceiling. The homeowner had just recently purchased a newly renovated home. During an IR inspection we found that the metal housing of an exhaust fan that had been wallpapered over by the contractor. Notice the cold air entering through the exhaust hose. The new homeowner had wondered why there was no exhaust fan in the bathroom before the inspection. Problem solved, I guess.

CASE STUDY 15

Figure 15 shows a digital and infrared image of a bathroom. The homeowner complained about cold air hitting his head when standing in his newly renovated bathroom. The IR-Image shows that three pieces of insulation missing in the ceiling were the problem.

SUMMARY

A home energy inspection can verify many items in construction, giving hard-copy documentation of the conditions. Ideally, an inspection should be conducted immediately after construction is completed, while the home or new construction is still under warranty. If you are considering buying a home, a full house scan can show potential problems before you sign, so you don’t have any surprises later. Even if it is not a replacement for a home inspection, an IR inspection will give you the ability to see beyond what the naked eye can show you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael is a Level I thermographer and has been using the technology for the past 2 years.