For those who wish to learn more of the technical aspects of infrared thermal imaging, the video above offers over 28 minutes of very useful information. Here you can learn the value of infrared thermal imaging for conducting Home Energy Audits and detecting hidden energy leaks, inadequate insulation and moisture within walls and inaccessible locations of the home. Also learn why it is important to have a certified infrared thermographer conduct your home energy audit and thermal imaging inspection.


What Is Infrared Thermal Imaging?



Infrared (thermal imaging) is an advanced, non-destructive technology that allows us to show you things about your home that no other home inspection company in Indianapolis can show you using other inspection methods. Thermal imaging produces images of invisible heat energy emitted from objects and systems in the home and allows us to measure it. Thermal imaging  helps to diagnose  problems rather than merely identify symptoms and can sometimes, but not always, identify and document:

Electrical faults before they cause a fire
Overloaded and undersized circuits
Circuit breakers in need of immediate replacement
Missing, damaged, and/or wet insulation
Heat loss and air infiltration in walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors
Water and moisture intrusion that could lead to mold
Possible pest infestation
Hidden roof leaks, before they cause serious damage
Air conditioner compressor leaks
Under fastening and/or missing framing members
Structural defects
Broken seals in double pane windows
Energy loss and efficiency
Dangerous flue leaks
Damaged and/or malfunctioning radiant heating systems
Unknown plumbing leaks
Overheated equipment.

The infrared images can then be included in the inspection report providing supporting documentation to the report. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

                    

What Is An Infrared Thermal Inspection?

An infrared thermal inspection involves the use of a thermal imaging camera to detect differences in the surface temperature of an object. These temperature differences help to isolate potential problem areas. Additional equipment, and visual inspections, can then be used to further evaluate the potential problem area. The thermal inspection process is a much quicker and non-destructive method for identifying problems as well as properly working systems. These inspections can be performed inside or out, although for best results the outdoor and indoor temperature difference should be at least 20º.

Accessible portions of the building are evaluated, and infrared photos are taken of suspected problem areas that show temperature or moisture signature anomalies. These photos are later analyzed and then incorporated into a report that explains the problems identified and recommends solutions.


What Can Infrared Thermal Imaging Be Used To Inspect?

Thermal imaging can be used to inspect many different systems and conditions, both good and bad, where the condition displays itself with surface temperature differences. Some examples for the use of thermal imagining are listed here. Besides the inspection of building components and systems, thermal imaging has many other broad uses.

Building envelope air leakage - Energy is expensive these days and all signs indicate that it will continue to rise in cost. Many buildings (commercial and residential) are not efficiently containing the air from the structures heating and air conditioning units. Building envelope surveys can help detect air leakage points that reduce the efficiencies of your HVAC system and cost you money!

Insulation deficiencies - Your structures insulation was put in place to help maintain its internal temperature. Thermal imaging can be used to detect missing, deficient and displaced insulation in areas not readily visible such as closed wall cavities and areas inaccessible for visual inspections.

Electrical systems - Electrical components that are overheating due to faulty connections, degraded components or other contributing factors can be inspected and identified with thermal imaging. For example, breakers in an electrical panel and associated wiring which are degraded or poorly connected can be identified for repair. Electric motors in pumps or other uses can be scanned and potential problems identified. Identifying these deficiencies before the components fail can reduce system outage times and potentially dangerous conditions that could cause fires.

Moisture intrusion and water leak surveys - Whether it is a leaking roof, siding, windows, doors or a leaking/broken plumbing fixture or pipe, it all adds up to damage to the structure and potential mold growth. Simple water leaks can go undetected until significant damage is visible. When the damage is visible then finding the source of water intrusion can be expensive without the use of thermography. Water leaks can occur far from the signs of damage. Thermal imaging can help locate these leaks and reduce the need for extensive destructive inspection methods to find the source of the moisture. In addition thermal imaging can help identify only the areas requiring replacement due to damage.

                       

What Infrared Thermal Imaging Services do we provide?

The services we currently offer encompass most all aspects of your properties condition and include the items discussed above. Thermal imaging surveys can be conducted on any one or combination of these areas. The surveys can be conducted as a standalone service or in conjunction with other inspection services. Please call so that we can discuss your particular needs. We are always looking for new ways to service our clients. If you do not see a service mentioned here, please call so that we can determine how we might be able to help fill your service needs.


How Can Thermal Imaging Benefit You?

Thermal imaging inspections, with the use of other instruments and a visual inspection, can provide indications of what we cannot see. Standard visual inspections can tell you what we see and provide you very useful information. Unfortunately for many deficiencies by the time the condition is visible, extensive damage might already have occurred. This service helps you save money, downtime and all of the problems and aggravations of extensive damage before it happens. As property owners, sellers or buyers information is crucial to your success and financial well being. An inexpensive thermal imaging survey has the potential for saving you thousands of dollars by catching adverse conditions early on, or even before they occur.
 
Thermal imaging is not just useful for finding problems but also for identifying properly operating systems and functions of a property, its structures and systems. Routine inspections with thermal imaging can provide trending information for structures and their systems to ensure degrading conditions are discovered early where repair costs are much less than after catastrophic failures.


What Can Infrared Thermal Imaging Not Do?

Don't be fooled by the claims that thermal imaging can see through walls or any other object. This technology is not X-Ray vision. A thermographer is trained to find anomalies of surface temperatures on an object. With that and other information problems, or potential problems, are identified and may require further testing to validate. Yes, further evaluation may be required for a suspect fault, but thermal imaging helps limit the time and expense of guess work.

Thermal imaging cannot specifically find mold but it can find the major cause of mold and that is moisture. Mold does not leave a thermal signature but requires moisture, a food source (almost anything, i.e. sheetrock, wood, etc.) and proper temperatures to survive. Thermal imaging can identify areas of water penetration through the thermal signature moisture can leave.

MC² Home Inspections has been certified with the designations CEA (Certified Energy Auditor) and CWC (Certified Weatherization Contractor) by the Professional Home Inspection Institute.

         

We are very proud to use Flir Thermal Imaging technology.