Infrared Thermography in Home Inspection PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Friday, 11 September 2009 14:01

Home security is an issue, which must be of a significant concern to everyone. Most of us feel safe in our home, but unknown dangers lurk in every corner. There could be many hazards related to improper electrical insulation , structural irregularities, malfunctioning household equipments.

Home infrared Inspections are fast becoming one of the quickest growing infrared technology applications.With infrared thermography one can inspect home’s interior and exterior through non-destructive, non-contact technology. A thermal infrared home inspection can detect problems that are invisible to the naked eye, allowing homeowners to correct them before they cause irreparable or expensive damage. Infrared inspections are used for virtually every component of a home, and are efficient at identifying a wide variety of problems. Infrared thermography uses specialized infrared cameras, that are capable of capturing infrared radiation emitted by objects. The resulting images so called thermogram indicate the amount of heat energy emanating from targeted objects and their surroundings.

Digital thermographic cameras examine structural, electrical, moisture, and mechanical systems, as well as to evaluate a home's energy efficiency. Energy-related problems caused by poor design, workmanship, or material failure can be corrected prior to the end of the construction process saving both the homeowner and contractors in time and money. Any areas of concern are clearly identified allowing the houseowner to efficiently make any repairs, replacement, or adjustments.

Structural inspections check for water damage in walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs and Locate missing, improperly installed, wet or damaged insulation in walls, floors, and ceilings. Electrical inspections uses infrared technology to check electrical fuses, circuit breaker boxes, wiring, and connections. In many instances, equipment failure is preceded by a period of increasing heat.The heat from electrical imbalances is very easily picked up on the infrared imaging. Poor connections, short circuits, overloads, and other imbalances can be isolated and quickly repaired. Ensuring that the electrical system is working correctly will increase the comfort appeal of basement living space and encourage regular use because safety and everyday lighting can be maximized. Infrared scanning allows energy auditors to check the effectiveness of insulation in a home’s construction. Because wet insulation conducts heat faster than dry insulation, thermographic scans of roofs can often detect roof leaks.

An infrared inspection process can be beneficial in situations where the property owner suspects water damage, mold infestations, energy leakage, or other structural integrity issues. Because infrared imaging penetrates through walls, thousands of dollars in teardown and remediation costs can be saved by an instantaneous diagnostic assessment performed with no destruction of property. Regularly scheduled IR thermography inspections allow repair and replacement of structural components on a basis of preventive maintenance. By performing preventative maintenance, homeowners can reduce the chance of fires, water damage, or structural damage. Infrared technology is also used to examine electrical outlets, telephone jacks, cable jacks, light switches, and doorbells, areas which frequently allow drafts. Green Energy Inspections Help Reduce Carbon Footprint and Increase Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation Green energy inspection helps to reduce carbon footprint and increase energy efficiency and energy conservations.

Thus through infrared technology Energy efficiency is the fastest, safest and cheapest method currently available for cutting carbon emissions. Infrared inspections can help reduce the carbon footprint of your building, helping not only the environment, but reducing energy costs while increasing safety, productivity, and energy efficiency. Properly constructed energy efficient buildings also reduce dust, moisture, and pests from getting into the building thus eliminating many allergens, mold, and dust mites. Infrared thermography Sustains the life of building materials by detecting latent moisture damage and therefore decreases consumption of our natural resources.the primary aspect is that it identifies cost effective ways to lower your energy consumption.

by KARTHIKEYAN.S

 
Infrared Cameras