It's that time of the year again. It's getting colder outside and Infrared imaging can now detect those insulation defects that the summer months didn't allow for a Delta T (difference in temperature). Most homeowners do not realize that a difference in temperature (cold on the exterior and warm on the interior or vise-versa in the Summer months with air conditioning) must be established in order for an IR camera to detect faults in their homes. It's now getting to the point where exterior temperatures are lowering and the heat is being turned up. That gives me the perfect setting to detect those insulation voids in your walls and ceilings.
Check out the IR images I have captured in the past...
This ceiling appears to be fine, but infrared detects missing insulation
This wall appears fine, but my infrared camera detects settled insulation
Thermal imaging detects cold air infiltrating the most outer portion of this wall
Visually... you see an open window, but infrared detects major heat loss
Infrared detects all sorts of inefficiencies throughout this finished attic cathedral ceiling
This upper wall appears fine, but thermal imaging detects missing insulation
You see a wall that appears fine, but infrared detects Termite activity
It's impossible to fully inspect radiant heating coils without my infrared camera
This attic access looks fine, but infrared reveals inadequate insulation
Look great visually, but thermally, I detect inadequate insulation
Exterior wall appears to fine, but infrared detects efficiency issues
This is an exterior wall with no insulation issues. The structural member locations are clearly visible (with infrared) from colder studs conducting onto the interior drywall.
During the colder months, a perfectly insulated wall will contain cold structural members (see image above). In this home, the studs are warmer than the cavities. This is clearly indicative of "no insulation" in these wall cavities.
This is another home with the same situation...empty wall cavities. This uninsulated wall is equal to leaving your windows and doors wide open.
The attic cavity above this particular ceiling was not accessible. Access openings were not installed for my inspection. That didn't stop me from investigating further. My infrared camera has no problem detecting a shoddy installation of insulation. The heat loss here would be significant.
This lower ceiling surface looks great visually, but my thermal imaging camera detects an excessive void at the wall and ceiling cavities.
This newly constructed home had insulation missing in several wall cavities
These outer ceiling cavities are allowing excessive cold air to enter living area
This wall looks fine until my infrared camera detects settled insulation
My thermal imaging camera detects more settled insulation
Infrared detects cold air infiltrating at lower left window framing and all outer floor cavities
A client inquired about ice damming on their roof. You can clearly see the voids at the rear portion of these two skylights. This void allowed interior heat to escape and melt the snow on top of the roof (above this area) and cause major ice damming.
The soffit around this particular skylight contains recessed lighting that does not allow insulation contact (Non-IC lighting) per manufacturer. An upgrade to more expensive recessed light fixtures (allowing insulation contact - IC lighting) are no option, in order to properly insulate these type of ceiling cavities and prevent ice damming on the exterior roof edge.
The stud cavities around this window were obviously not insulated.
Cathedral ceiling cavities are impossible to inspect visually, but thermal imaging has no limitations. My infrared camera detects missing insulation throughout one side of the gable. The heating bill in this home will be costly until it's insulated.
The cellulose insulation in these wall cavities has settled quite a bit
More settled cellulose insulation. Infrared also detects heat piping inside this wall at the top right of IR image.
My infrared camera detects shoddy installation of cellulose insulation in concealed wall cavities above this main door.
Thermal imaging detects insulation voids under this glued-down plywood in an attic
Infrared scan detects shoddy insulation application in outer ceiling cavities
This wall set-up looks great, until my infrared camera detects uninsulated wall cavities behind the flat screen television
Thermal imaging detects many insulation voids throughout this upper wall
Thermally scanning an attic detects heat loss from the living area below
The builder disclosed that every wall (in this rehabilitated home) were fully insulated. But...not according to my infrared camera.
There is no perfectly insulated home out there. I will always detect imperfections in a building. I've even detected openings in foam insulation. As tight as you would think foam insulation might be, it's not a perfect insulator, as I will discuss in my next Blog.
If you're interested in scheduling an Infrared scan and you reside in eastern Massachusetts or South Eastern New Hampshire, please contact me at 978-683-4984 to schedule your Infrared (Thermal) Imaging scan of your home.
Massachusetts Infrared (Thermal) Imaging
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