Thermal Imaging Four Important Reasons to Use it
Normal home inspectors and home inspections don't use thermal imaging, also called infrared thermography, as this equipment is often expensive but offers unlimited amount of info to help the home inspector examine your house.
An infrared camera will produce heat radiation or invisible infrared images, providing your inspector with accurate temperatures if necessary. As thermal energy (light) has an excessively long wavelength, it's not visible to your eye. By using infrared thermography, visual images create another layer on other human senses (touch, hearing, sight and smell) and may be verified further with other tools, such as a moisture meter.
Although there's a lot more to learn about the science and method behind infrared thermography, it's important to know some of the advantages of infrared technology for home inspection. Here are 4 of them.
More savings through reduced energy use
According to a variety of recent studies, we waste around 58 percent of the total energy produced in the country. Although some of this wastage is due to poor habits, like leaving the TV or lights on when no one's in the room, there's also huge wastage caused by energy-inefficient homes. With thermal imaging cameras, you can be able to see where energy leaks through seams and gaps around doors or windows as well as where there's no insulation. Thermal imaging shows up areas of your house you would otherwise not see. Learn more about thermal imaging at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_imaging_camera.
Thermal imaging can help detect hidden issues
Since it can collect much more info than the human eye, you will be able to know current issues as well as areas of your house that are at risk of developing bigger problems. Infrared thermography can detect issues such as water problems, fallen or missing insulation, HVAC deficiencies, radiant heat issues, and clogged plumbing systems.
Protection against defective structural components
Overheated wiring, electrical boxes and light fixtures can be a serious hazard if not detected. Using thermal imaging, your house inspector can check your electrical system to ensure it's working properly, making sure your house is safe for everyone.
Prevents problems becoming worse
Small plumbing leaks might lead to quite huge problems. Thermal imaging helps identify even the slightest temperature changes, due to running/dripping water, helping you avoid structural problems or damage and growth of mold.
To sum up, thermal imaging is vital if you want to buy a new house and is also vital for your current house as thermal cameras can spot serious problems the naked eye can't. These include excessive heat from your electrical system or appliance, air duct, unwanted animals, heating/cooling losses, poor construction, plumbing leaks, leaks, moisture intrusion, and non-existent or inadequate insulation.