Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Thermography? Thermography is the process of acquisition and analysis of thermal information from non-contact thermal imaging devices. Simply put, it's the ability to see the heat coming from all objects.
2. What makes Thermography so useful? When applied to building sciences, it allows for real-time thermal pictures and video, providing instant detection of energy loss, as well as areas of water intrusion. This can drastically reduce heating and cooling costs as well as promote early detection of structural damage caused by water intrusion.
3. How is Thermography used to find energy waste in my home or business? Infrared cameras have the ability to see very small temperature differences which create a visible image of heat energy patterns. This ability, combined with a certified Thermographer who is trained to decode those patterns, can find areas of water damage, insulation deficiencies, electrical irregularities, and many more types of problems based on those clues.
4. What is a Certified Thermographer? In short, a Certified Thermographer is nationally recognized as trained in the use of thermal cameras with an advanced understanding in the sciences on which they operate. To be more specific, a person who has been certified in the comprehensive fundamentals of infrared camera operation, thermal tuning, target composition and emissivity, field measurement parameters, radiation science, thermal science, spatial resolution and focal distance, thermal conductance, target radiation properties, and many combinations and variations of all of the above as they apply to different situations.
5. What are extra benefits of Thermography? Detection of outdoor unconditioned air infiltration. Air leaks account for an average of 80% of all energy loss. You spend thousands of dollars a year on maintaining a temperature controlled, well-conditioned, comfortable clean air environment in your home just to have outside (unconditioned) unfiltered air leak in. Areas such as bad window and door seals, floor to foundation joints, and unsealed gaps in construction are just some of the main ones.
6. What are insulation deficiencies? Missing or damaged insulation can allow for thermal heat transfer through intended temperature barriers such as walls, floors or ceilings. Adding or upgrading insulation, or sealing air leaks, can be the simplest and cheapest way to correct these problems. Energy saved can easily pay for repairs in as little as one season of heating or cooling.
7. Why are Geothermal heat/cool systems, or high efficiency furnace and air conditioner not the only answer to saving energy? These high efficiency products are fantastic at squeezing every possible dollar out of the energy we buy. But let's take that one step further and reduce the amount of energy we need to buy in the first place. Whether you have a high efficiency gas furnace, heat pump or a geothermal heating and cooling system, their efficiency can only reach 100%. The efficiency of these appliances can only increase a few more percentage points, and then they can't get any better. The future of energy savings will need to be in better insulators and building designs to conserve what we use and therefore requiring less energy to begin with. This is where Thermography comes in. Even an old home or building can be upgraded to meet these higher energy saving requirements we demand for ourselves.
8. I have a new home. Why do I need a Thermal scan? New homes have no advantage over old homes. We have found just as many, if not more, insulation problems and air leaks in brand new homes as we have found in older homes. The notion that a new home is sealed up tightly and can't possibly have any areas of missing or deficient insulation is a TRAGIC MISCONCEPTION. No matter how confident or reputable the builder, human error and complacency of the average worker can always be a factor. And the smallest of errors can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a home or commercial building.

 Frequently Asked Electrical Questions

1. What kind of electrical problems can you find with infrared inspection?  Almost all electrical faults will exhibit excess heat. Loose or deteriorated connections, faulty breakers, overloaded circuits, load imbalances worn or pitted contactor points, even excess harmonic patterns on transformer coils can be visualized.

2. Can the inspection be performed without any service interruptions?  Almost all electrical equipment has a service interlock that allows access for inspection without shutting off the power.

3. Will the inspection be performed during normal working hours?  All equipment should be inspected while under normal load. Your facility should be operating normally.

4. Do panel covers have to be removed for a infrared inspection?  It is impossible to properly inspect a breaker panel without the covers being removed.

5. Do you remove/replace the covers?  It is most common that onsite personnel remove/replace the covers.

6. How long will the inspection take?  The limiting factor is usually how fast the covers can be removed/replaced.

7. What kind of report can I expect at the end of the inspection?  A full written report detailing all the thermal anomalies detected with a thermal and full color image for each problem. You will also receive a full list all the equipment that was inspected. If at the time of the inspection a critical problem is found the accompanying onsite personnel will be informed.