Energy Auditing

Home inspections &

Weatherization

with Thermal Imagers

Peter HacheyPeter Hachey

Fluke Electronics Canada LPFluke Electronics Canada LP

Agenda

• General Introduction

• Thermography Principles

• Inspecting with IR

• Thermal Imaging in the Building Envelope

• Other Applications• Other Applications

• How to choose a thermal imager

• IR analysis and reporting software

• Summary

Overview of ThermographyKnowing a little about thermography helps!

What is Thermography?

• Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects

• The amount of radiation increases with temperature

• It is the science of “seeing” temperature by measuring the

radiation emitted from an object and converting this data to a

corresponding digital, or visual image called a thermogram

• We are only measuring the surface temperature!

What Does a Thermal Imager Do?

• Displays the thermal patterns on a given surface by converting temperature data to a digital image

• Provides visual verification and • Provides visual verification and documentation of problems, before and after

• Reduces liability, improves efficiency, adds revenue stream

Why Thermal Imaging?

• Easier & more effective inspection

• Customers request it

• Be more competitive

• Build a business or…• Build a business or…

• Add to your business portfolio

Thermography Benefits

• Measurements are:

– Non-contact

– Obtained without disturbing structure

– Very sensitive to problem – Very sensitive to problem characteristics

– Detect problem before significant damage

– Can scan large areas quickly

– Identifies specific location

What Do We Look For?

• Air infiltration– Energy use

– Comfort

• Insulation issues

• Moisture

• Construction problems

Where Do We Look?

• Indoor– Walls– Floors– Ceilings– Ducts

• Exterior– Thermal bridging– Windows & doors– Construction joints

• Roofs

• HVAC/R

• Electrical and Mechanical Systems

Air Leaks Become Visible!

• Fast location of air leaks and missing insulation

• Non-destructive

• Easily document & report findings to property ownerproperty owner

Three Modes of Heat Transfer

Heat Transfer

• Heat transfer can be:

– Transient: temperature is constantly and significantly changing

– Steady state: heat flow is constant with time

Thermal Capacitance

• The amount of energy an object needs to absorb or release in order to change temperature

– Water heats and cools slowly because of its high heat capacity

– Air heats and cools rapidly because of its low heat capacitylow heat capacity

• How quickly this change take place depends on thermal capacitance and thermal conductivity – not time.

• Which has the highest thermal capacitance?

– Copper– Steel– Brick– Wood– Water

Successful IR Audit

• Air Leaks – ASTM E-1186

– ∆T of 5°C for Air Leak Inspection

• Insulation – ASTM C-1060

°– ∆T of 10°C for Insulation Inspection

Inspecting with IR

• Stabilize home

• Turn HVAC off 10-15 min after arrive – before scan

• Perform visual inspection of building envelope

• Work systematically – follow route

• IR image appears hot or cold depending on climate• IR image appears hot or cold depending on climate

• Inspect from both inside and outside

• Validate findings with other tools

Range, Level & Span

• Range

• Span

• Level

• Saturation Colors

Span = 30°°°°FLevel =65°°°°F

Level and Span

keep span narrow and adjust level as needed

Auto Manual

Focus is CRITICAL

• Focusing an IR imager is different than a visible camera

– Infrared images are naturally less sharp 283.8°

• Best focus is critical for accurate temperature measurements

• Anything but focus can be modified/optimized later with PC software

362.2°

Unfocused Image

Focused Image

Air Leaks

• Common causes:

– Door & window gaps

– Exterior wall electrical outlets

– Recessed lights

– Attic penetrations

Image Courtesy of Structure Tech Home Inspections

– Attic penetrations

– Ducts / Vents

Air Leaks

• Locate exact leak point

Insulation

• Common causes:

– Missing

– Settled

– Wet

– Insufficient– Insufficient

Moisture or Air Infiltration?

Moisture

• Implications:

• Wet insulation does not perform

• Insulation settles

• Mold• Mold

IR Moisture Detection

Evaporative Moisture Cooling (EMC)

– Wet materials evaporating water will

reduce the surface temperature in a

controlled environment until controlled environment until

equilibrium is reached (dry)

– EMC causes thermal anomaly on

surface, even when surface is dry

– Temperature difference can be >0.2°CMOISTURE

37 Master Thermography Presentation – JWP-4

Moisture Intrusion

Moisture in ceiling

Detecting Water Leaks

40 Master Thermography Presentation – JWP-4

Moisture

• Water entering building structure through:

– leaks in building envelop

– failed and poorly installed plumbingplumbing

• Condensation caused by:

– improper construction

– poor building management

– air leakage

All of which can cause health, comfort, safety and financial issues

MOISTURE

Other application for thermography

• Electrical

• Mechanical

• Electro-mechanical

• HVAC

• Roofs (flat to low slope types only)

Roof Inspections

• Visually inspect roof before day of survey

• Plan inspection grid

• Make note of obstacles

• Know the roof type!• Know the roof type!

• Monitor the weather closely

47

Electrical Inspections

• Easily find electrical problems at the panel or on mechanical equipment

Steam Traps

Normal

Faulty

When operating properly,

the steam side is hotter

and the condensate side is

cooler.

Other!

Alarm threshold set at 40°C Alpha Blending set at 50%

How to choose a thermal imager

• STEP 1: Analyse your needs

• STEP 2: Speak to an expert

• STEP 3: Talk with your peers

• STEP 4: Work with a local supplier

• STEP 5: Take a test drive!

10/24/2011 Fluke Confidential 53

What is Your Application?

Building Diagnostics / Inspection

• Thermal imagers designed for this

• Measure smaller range of temperatures than industrial thermal imagers

• Require high thermal sensitivity

Look for the following Features

• Image fusion Technology

• Large crisp images

• Made for rough environments

– Documented and proven drop tests

• Easy-to-use

• Flexible data storage• Flexible data storage

• Voice annotation

• Simple and full-featured analysis and reporting software

– Ideally, should be included free of charge• Maximum warranty included free

– 2 year warranty should be the minimum

• Look for “The complete package”

More detailed featuresDesigned to help you work more efficiently in the

field:

• Adjustable Emissivity

• PIP and image blending functions

• Level and Span adjustment• Level and Span adjustment

• Image Format (e.g. jpg, bmp, etc.)

• Voice Annotation

• Selectable Temp Scale (scales F and C)

• Date Format

• Time Format

• Camera screen back light

• Background Temp adjustment

Field replaceable lenses

• Must be easy to add at any time

• Easy to install (avoid fragile on-board

electronics)

• Typical lens in Building Diagnostics:

Wide angle

Wide-angle LensTelephoto Lens

• Create professional reports

• Look for software which is included at

no additional charge, with no license

agreement and no costly upgrades

Analysis and Reporting Software

agreement and no costly upgrades

• You can optimize everything besides

focus, range and distance (FoRD) in

the software afterwards

• Customizable templates makes your

life easier!

Example of IR software:

Modify:

- Temperature range, color palette, emissivity, background temperature,

IR/visual image blending, and add markers and text annotations

�Export Images & Temp Data to Word / Excel

� Create reports in off-the-shelf word processing software (MS Word)

Questions?

Thank You!

Peter Hachey

Level I Thermographer

Fluke Electronics Canada LP

1-800-363-5853 x251

peter.hachey@fluke.com