Something Missing? Infrared Thermography
Infrared (IR) cameras have come a long way and can be a handy tool during a home inspection.
Here we have a section of a vaulted ceiling wall that has not been insulated. The IR camera quickly shows the deficiency. This will lead to higher cooling cost and most likely less comfortable conditions during the summer cooling season.
The image below is what you would see in just visible light
A little information on Infrared-
From Flir-
“The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The higher the object’s temperature, the greater the IR radiation emitted. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. Infrared thermography cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities. Nearly everything gets hot before it fails, making infrared cameras extremely cost-effective, valuable diagnostic tools in many diverse applications. And as industry strives to improve manufacturing efficiencies, manage energy, improve product quality, and enhance worker safety, new applications for infrared cameras continually emerge.
How Does an IR Camera Work?
Infrared Energy Detection
An infrared camera is a non-contact device that detects infrared energy (heat) and converts it into an electronic signal, which is then processed to produce a thermal image or video, on which you can perform temperature calculations. Heat sensed by an infrared camera can be very precisely quantified, or measured, allowing you to not only monitor thermal performance, but also identify and evaluate the relative severity of heat-related problems.”
From Fluke–
“Both visible light and infrared is part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared has a longer wavelength and lower frequency than visible light. Infrared thermography is the science of detecting infrared energy emitted from an object, converting it to an apparent temperature, and displaying the result as an infrared image that is captured by a thermal camera.”
Infrared cameras like all other tools have limitations, but they can be a great resource for gathering information during the inspections process.
IR Thermography Primer
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Coordinator & Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
Former WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and on my website Blog.
(Click on Icons to go to social media pages.)
