A Thermal Imaging inspection is an inexpensive way to detect problems that if not addressed soon, could end up costing thousands of dollars in repair or added energy costs. When the safety and piece of mind factors are figured in, a Thermal Imaging Inspection is priceless.

An infrared thermal imaging scan is not that pretty picture you see in an advertisement that shows the whole house and is taken from across the street. It looks nice but it doesn't tell you much……Infrared scans are done up close. On the exterior scans are done at a distance of 15 to 25 feet if possible. An area approximately 6 feet by 6 feet is scanned at one time. On the interior, where most problems are found, distances are usually about 10 feet or less and each area scanned is about 4 feet by 4 feet or less.

Thermal imaging cameras look at naturally emitted infrared or "heat" radiation. The infrared camera emits no radiation and is not x-ray vision. Under the right conditions* (See bottom of page for best conditions), anomalies can be detected that would otherwise remain hidden from a visual inspection alone.

Thermal imaging is an effective, non-destructive method for detecting potential problem areas such as:

• Moisture intrusion in walls, ceilings, flooring, low slope roof systems and other building areas
• Areas of missing or inadequate insulation
• Heating or cooling loss due to air leaks at doors, windows, duct work, and HVAC problem areas
• Leaks in water pipes, including supply, drainage and hydraulic radiant heat piping in floors
• Overheated mechanical equipment and electrical components
• Termite and pest issues

Moisture intrusion can be detected because wet areas cool or heat at a different rate than dry areas. Wet areas are verified using a non-invasive or evasive moisture meter. Moisture intrusion can lead to wood decay, loss of structural integrity over time, and a potential mold problem.

Pests' issues such as rodents and termite nests can often be detected by their heat signature.

Failing mechanical or electrical equipment almost always gets hot before it fails.

A Thermal Imaging inspection is an inexpensive way for homeowners or home buyers to detect problems that could end up costing thousands of dollars to repair. When the safety and piece of mind factors are figured in, an Infrared Imaging Inspection is priceless.

In 1970 a gallon of heating oil cost 16.9 cents a gallon. If you were earning $4.00 an hour, you thought you were doing real well. You could buy over 23 gallons of heating oil for 1 hours work. A 200 gallon fill-up cost you about 9 hours of work.

In late-2008 a gallon of heating oil cost $2.50 a gallon (down from $4.85 seven months ago). If you are earning $20 an hour you likely still feel that you are doing real well. However, now you can buy only a little over 8 gallons of heating oil for 1 hours work. That 200 gallon fill-up now costs you 20 hours of work and all this is before taxes.

Unanticipated energy costs are one of the leading causes of home foreclosure.

Don't use heating oil? Natural gas and propane costs haven't risen quite as fast as heating oil but they take a bigger percentage of the average income then they ever did. Electric heat isn't cheap either (especially if you have a heat pump) and Federal and State regulation of the electric companies ends soon and the cost of electricity is expected to increase substantially.

It makes more sense that ever to make your home as energy efficient as possible. So, where do you start? That's were Infrared Thermal Imaging (thermography) comes in. Identifying problem areas is difficult and haphazard using only the naked eye.

There are two primary mechanisms for heat loss in homes. Both can be found using infrared thermography. (thermal imaging cameras)

Conductive Heat & Cooling Losses:  Missing insulation - Improperly installed insulation - Also shrinkage, settling, or compression of various types of insulation - Moisture damage to insulation and other building materials - Heat loss through multi-pane windows with a broken seal - excessive thermal bridging in joints between walls and the top and bottom plates - Leaks in water pipes - Damaged or poorly installed heat or cooling ducts, etc.

Air Leakage:  Air leakage is the passage of air through a building envelope, be it in a wall, window, door, joint where one plane meets another, or other building openings. Air leakage to the exterior is referred to as exfiltration and air movement from exterior to the interior is referred to as infiltration. Air leakage can create many problems in addition to energy loss. Air leakage can cause condensation to form within walls, floors, or ceilings. This condensation creates many problems such as reducing the R-value of insulation or permanently damaging or seriously degrading insulation and other building materials. Condensation can cause wood to decay, nails and metal hangers to corrode or rust away and in extreme cases over long periods of time can cause concrete to spall, mortar in block and brick walls to crumble and cause extensive structural damage to a building.

Here are some examples of what can be detected with a thermal imaging camera. The photos below are each worth a thousand words. These are the type of problems that can not be seen with the naked eye:

Insulation Voids in Cathedral Ceiling

What you see with the naked eye

Inadequate insulation was causing ice damming	This is what the naked eye sees.
and heat and cooling loss	Looks fine doesn't it?

Inadequate insulation. This was repaired	Without infrared imaging this looks just fine
with a spray foam product

To the naked eye this looks just fine	This is a damp spot in the corner. When
because is had been recently painted and	this was opened up for repair it was
the staining on the wall was covered.	found that a leaking dormer on the
	second floor was not flashed properly.
	Most of the studs and wall sheathing was
	decayed and had to be replaced. Finding
	this defect saved the buyer quite a few
	thousand dollars in repair costs.

Think about it!

Eastern Pennsylvania Testing & Inspection Services, LLC
"For Peace of Mind"

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