Worldwide energy conservation efforts, are rapidly intensifying and nonprofit organizations, corporate citizens, international governments, global political bodies (United Nations), as well as dedicated humanitarians, from around the globe, are keenly focused on seeking and implementing practical solutions, in the fight to reduce our carbon footprint and maximize energy efficiency, in our lives.

This of course, would enable property management companies, commercial real estate owners, real estate developers, homeowners, condo owners and apartment dwellers, to identify potential air leaks leading to heat loss and properly insulate their home, which would dramatically cut down heating costs, keep homes and buildings adequately ventilated, in the winter and summer months. Thermal imaging cameras, are devices that essentially detect and display heat fluctuations in a home or building, through the use of a 2D viewer image feature.

Certified thermographic technicians (known as thermographers) would strategically pan the camera to capture different viewing angles, thus making it easier to not only expose overall heat variations, but also the source. Consumers are able to actually see black streaks or spots for areas of their property that are very cold and white for warm regions. Even though heat tends not to flow in the same direction and walls sometimes trap cold air or it gets directed to a specific location, a thermal infrared inspection could instantly, expose any massive, as well as minute air leaks.

Additionally, a thermal imaging inspection through the use of thermal vision cameras, would actually be able to identify heat conducting wet insulation in the roof ,as well as cold spots around windows, doors or sunroofs. The roof in particular, due to wet insulation would immediately reveal problem areas to be addressed. Industrial inspections could benefit dramatically from digital thermal cameras that are specifically designed to measure large building envelopes, compare property sections or subsections, in terms of significant differences in temperature. The thermal cameras are also able to analyze exterior heat loss. However, adverse weather patterns and unpredictable air movement, may somewhat interfere with the readings. Therefore it would be advisable, to wait for more favorable weather conditions, before proceeding. The versatile, highly specialized, Alpha Near Infrared InGaAs Thermal Imager camera, for example, has a 320x256 focal plan array resolution, that can be used among other things, to create or establish imaging through paints, with an impressive near infrared or shortwave infrared wavebands range of 0.9 to 1.7 microns.

Decreasing overall carbon emissions, may be part of a larger global strategy, but it boils down to each consumer doing their part. A frequent energy audit, can save literally millions of dollars for building owners or a significant bundle of money for homeowners, that are seeking to cut down costs, operate with maximum energy efficiency, implement “green solutions,” such as using eco friendly light bulbs, LED lights, energy star rated appliances, installing draft excluders in doors, fit double glazing though windows, turn off electrical appliances after hours and making sure loft insulation has an ideal thickness level of 200mm, as it fills the void between the joists. Deploying a vapor barrier, to prevent warm, moist air from traveling to colder regions of the property and creating condensation, using decorative window film to prevent heat from escaping and Bali vertical blinds, may also be something to explore, in keeping properties warm in the winter, cool in the summer and ensure proper air circulation, that is not disturbed by unknown structural defects, that may be causing measurable heat loss.

Property management firms, can promote a building as being “green” or emphasize energy efficiency initiatives, as a way to entice potential investors on the potential to maximum future profits, as well as successfully persuade commercial tenants on leasing space, because of the potential benefit, of their operating costs, being reduced. Some enterprising, commercial property owners, could reduce leasing rates, to make them more attractive, as a result of their cost saving energy efficiency efforts. Furthermore, seeking a “green building” certification or an official seal of approval, from nationally recognized nonprofit organizations, that try to encourage property owners, to implement eco-friendly solutions during development or renovation, almost always require a green audit. Therefore the use of digital thermal cameras, to satisfy the thermo graphic portion of the survey would go a long way in offering a realistic depiction, of overall heat variations and prompt consumers to quickly and effectively assess the situation and decisively, deal with it.