Thermal Imaging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When conditions are right, it is possible to locate missing or damaged insulation, such as this poorly installed injected foam in a residential building.

The improperly installed fiberglass yields an irregular thermal pattern. The resulting cold spots commonly host wall stains or mold growth.

Many types of insulation are susceptible to air infiltration. The fiberglass shown here does not stop air flow through the wall section.

All the framing and insulation is clearly visible in this commercial building. Normal pressure differences on the top floor result in air leaking past the envelope through various pathways.

Hydronic heating coils embedded in a concrete floor show up in this thermal image.

This black wall is not uniformly grouted as was specified, leading to severe structural problems. Image courtesy Phil McMullen.

The wet insulation in the roof system shows up clearly due to its greater thermal capacitance.

The quality of the images produced by modern IR systems is remarkable. Missing and poorly installed insulation is easily seen.

Another view, under different conditions, of the same house shows how results can vary as circumstances change.

Air wash along the edges of batt insulation produces a unique cold signature on the ceiling of this wood-frame commercial building.

The relative thermal performance of three windows: single-glazed (top), double-glazed with nitrogen gas (right) and double-glazed with argon-fill (left), is readily apparent in this thermogram taken from inside during the heating season.

A typical insulated glass unit showing edge- effect losses and a more pronounced pattern at the bottom due to internal convection.

Condensation formed first on the right window which was exhibiting a more advanced stage of argon gas loss than the left window. The thermograph shows that in fact both windows have the same argon loss.