Thermal imaging is an awesome tool, it can be used to find areas of missing insulation and other temperature anomalies in the building shell. It can help us find issues with electrical, plumbing and heating systems. And when used in conjunction with a blower door, we can often “see” the air leaks. The photo below was taken without the assistance of a blower door, I was at this new home to conduct a blower door, but the test hadn’t begun at the time this photo was taken, can you say thermal bridge!
Diagnostic Tools-Hikmicro Pocket 2 Thermal Imaging Camera
This post first appeared in the December 2022/January 2023 issue of Fine HomeBuilding Magazine.
Thermal imaging tools used to be so expensive, the only people to own them were researchers and specialty tradespeople. That’s not the case anymore. Anyone can get a decent thermal imaging camera for under a $1000, my latest camera is a good example.
I was introduced to Hikmicro at the most recent International Builders Show, a newer manufacturer to the industry, Hikmicro had several of their products on display where interested people could try them out on the show floor. I gravitated towards the Pocket Series of cameras. This style of camera looks closer to the traditional digital camera, or a smart phone than the pistol grip thermal imagers we are used to seeing. Compact but filled with features, the Pocket 2 I purchased has the resolution of a more expensive camera (256×192). By comparison, my first thermal imaging camera had a resolution of 60×60, and the Pocket 2 is one-third the price of that camera. Continue reading “Diagnostic Tools-Hikmicro Pocket 2 Thermal Imaging Camera”
Diagnostic Tools-Thermal Imaging-Interpreting the Images
This blog post originally appeared on the Green Building Advisor’s website. www.greenbuildingadvisor.com
Thermal imaging has numerous uses and benefits many different trades. Everything from surveillance and industrial maintenance to checking someone’s temperature. For this post, I’ll discuss interpreting images in the residential construction field.
It’s important to have at least a basic understanding of how the camera works and adjustments that can be made to the different camera settings, I’ll briefly discuss a few of the settings. It’s also helpful that you have somewhat of an expectation when viewing a thermal image. Outside environmental conditions can affect an image taken inside a building, the conditions typically present in a predictable way, but not always. Sometimes something unexpected shows up, usually this requires more investigation, possibly confirmed using other diagnostic tools or may even require the disassembling of a building component.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Tools-Thermal Imaging-Interpreting the Images”
Diagnostic Tools-Thermal Imaging-The Basics
Thermal imaging is a wonderful tool that not too many years ago, was rarely used because of the high cost and complexity of the equipment. Not the case anymore. It’s still possible to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a high-end camera, but you can buy a decent unit for under $1000. I own a very good camera I use all the time that retails for $600. This blog post will cover the different cameras on the market and the terminology and other basic information needed to effectively use one.
Continue reading “Diagnostic Tools-Thermal Imaging-The Basics”
Construction Design-Keeping Ducts Where They Belong
Ductwork in unconditioned attics or crawl spaces can create problems in all climates. Undesirable positive or negative house pressures, moisture and mold issues and increased energy costs are often the result. Continue reading “Construction Design-Keeping Ducts Where They Belong”
Energy Audit-Thermal Imaging
Thermal imaging is a tool I use for energy auditing, but it’s usefulness goes way beyond. I often use my camera during building projects and at my own home to help detect problems. Continue reading “Energy Audit-Thermal Imaging”
Building Science-Heat Movement in Pictures
I’ve talked a few times on this blog about how a home can lose heat in a cold climate. Thermodynamics tells us heat moves from a warm space to a cold one by one of three methods; convection, conduction or radiation. This blog is going to show visually how a structure loses heat by way of several thermal images photographs. Continue reading “Building Science-Heat Movement in Pictures”