What Is Thermal Technology?
Thermography is the use of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to “see” and “measure” thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it’s the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Unlike visible light in the infrared world, everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat. Even very cold objects, like ice cubes, emit infrared. The higher the object’s temperature, the greater the IR radiation emitted. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. Infrared thermography cameras produce images of invisible infrared or “heat” radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities.
At Scan This House™, we use a Thermal Infrared camera to do building diagnostics. This innovative tool provides immediate high-resolution thermal imagery, reveals potential structural problems, moisture and mold issues, energy efficiency, electrical hot spots and even rodent or pest discovery.
Everything from faulty wiring to the presence of termites to mold to wet insulation affects the surrounding temperature. Heat-sensitive photography can reveal these and other issues that just cannot be seen by the naked eye or with conventional digital photography. Infrared cameras are the building inspection tools preferred by building experts for fast, reliable accurate building diagnosis in the entire range of building problems, from post-catastrophe fire and flood investigations to chronic leaks and moisture problems.
Moisture in building materials can destroy structural integrity and facilitate mold growth. Infrared cameras (IR) instantly show you what’s wet and what’s dry. IR cameras can instantly find the ultimate source with little or no physical disassembly of the premises and minimal disturbance of inhabitants. Nearly everything that uses or transmits power gets hot before it fails. Power management is critical to maintaining the reliability of your electrical and mechanical systems. For an energy audit you can show exactly where cold air is entering the home or heat is being lost, along with energy dollars. Today, no one would argue that infrared thermography is the most effective preventive maintenance technology available to quickly, accurately, and safely locate problems prior to failure, damage, and lost dollars.
For more on how thermal imagery shows what is beyond the surface click here