House inspection with a thermal imager: conducting an energy audit of a building

Any structure is characterized by inevitable heat losses. To identify them, modern technical equipment has been developed, with the help of which the quality of thermal insulation is checked and problem areas are identified. Inspection of the house with a thermal imager will reveal places with good insulation, detect fistulas, thermal bridges and zones in which the insulation has lost its properties.

Thermal imaging examination reveals engineering errors, material defects, defects after repair

Why do a home survey with a thermal imager

Internal heat leakage is largely due to radiation. From the surface of the walls inside the room, heated air is transferred outside through the cold bridges, where it is dispersed into the environment. The human eye does not notice such a movement. This can be done by special digital equipment. Thermal imaging cameras are one of the options for such devices.

Before starting the insulation of the house, a thermal imaging survey should be carried out, which will help to calculate the required costs of insulation

A thermal imager is a differential device that determines the gradations of temperatures in the area under study and then compares them with each other. The display of the device shows a thermal histogram, which is superimposed on the real picture. The work of a thermal imager is to identify problem areas, which is carried out by determining the temperature in a specific area using a built-in pyrometer. The thermal bar graph clearly displays areas with sufficient insulation and areas that require additional insulation.

Important! Built-in cameras of mobile phones with special programs are unsuitable for performing thermal imaging surveys, since the information will be distorted.

The average price of a house survey with a thermal imager is 3.5-5 thousand rubles. for 100 m². It is advisable to order such a service when buying a new country house to assess the overall quality of thermal insulation. It is also necessary in case of a noticeable increase in heating costs.

If it is planned to carry out thermal insulation measures, such a survey will help to see the real picture of the thermal conductivity of the building envelope.It is recommended to carry out a thermal insulation study every 5-7 years, since shrinkage is characteristic of the insulation. This is especially noticeable in the case of frame structures with insulation in the form of mineral wool, which undergoes shrinkage, or structures from a log house, which periodically need caulking.

A thermal imager scans a room from the inside and outside of the building as an X-ray

Additional functions of thermal imaging object inspection

The main type of work of a thermal imager is to identify heat loss zones. However, the device also allows you to determine other characteristics of the condition of the building. Inspection with a thermal imager makes it possible to see the quality of the vapor barrier layer and identify areas of condensation formation. The data obtained will help you choose the option of insulation and the required amount. Using the device will reveal blockages in heating systems. The survey results can be used for the correct placement of heating devices.

The thermal imager will indicate the areas of possible leakage of pipes and roofs, the presence, location and dimensions of cracks in the wall surfaces. The data testifies to the correctness and tightness of the installation of door and window units.

Thermal imaging is able to reveal the prerequisites for the presence of high humidity or dryness inside the premises. The survey will allow you to review the condition of the electrical wiring in order to eliminate weak contacts that can cause a fire in the event of heating due to load.

Important!The thermal imager will indicate the location of rodents and other unwanted inhabitants of the house.

Thermal imaging control reveals all defects that affect heat loss and violation of the indoor microclimate

Thermal imaging inspection is an X-ray of buildings, which reveals all existing defects that negatively affect the microclimate of the premises, since they are the cause of heat loss. The thermal imager can also be used to determine the condition of structural structures after repairs. It helps to analyze real estate when buying it in order to reduce the value in case of discrepancies.

Basic rules for outdoor thermal imaging of a house

The accuracy and objectivity of the readings depend on the completeness of the range at a particular moment of shooting of all possible temperature values. The thermal imaging survey should cover the entire area of ​​the investigated surface of the wall, floor and roof. A very large area can be divided into 2-3 zones, the boundaries of which intersect with each other.

According to this requirement, the surface is surveyed from a long distance. It is advisable to use special cameras with a wide viewing angle, which have a higher cost.

Both options provide a fairly large measurement error. Therefore, to obtain more correct information, thermal imaging of a building is carried out in two stages. First, it is supposed to survey the entire territory, and then - global registration of individual areas of interest. Subsequently, the obtained values ​​are compared.

Thermal imaging survey can be carried out in winter and summer

Thermal imaging is not performed when the difference between the outside and inside temperatures is less than 25 ° C. The best results are obtained by an external examination at the moment when the thermometer values ​​from -10 to 15 ° C. However, if it is windy or sunny outside, outdoor thermal imaging is not taken.

It is recommended to check the house with a thermal imager early in the morning, when the structure is not exposed to the sun for at least 3 hours before the start of the inspection. In this case, the wind speed should not exceed 7 m / s. It is necessary that the external structures of the building are completely dry.

Features of the internal thermal imaging survey of the apartment

Inspection of the internal structures of the premises is carried out according to a similar principle.Here you can not only reveal the distribution of heat in the thickness of the walls, but also define the bridges of cold in the form of fastening points that dissipate heat. With the help of a thermal imager, all possible construction and finishing flaws are detected.

Before carrying out work using a self-made thermal imager (or purchased) from the walls, move all the furniture at least 1 m and remove the stationary equipment. You should also remove all carpets from the floor or walls. Such manipulations are carried out 24 hours before shooting, so that the thermal regime is balanced. Shooting begins from the window, gradually moving to the door.

In comparison with similar technologies, the thermal imaging method is absolutely safe for human health and construction materials

First of all, an initial check is performed, after which the room is ventilated. This is done to relieve internal pressure. By increasing the air flow, all air leaks from the building can be detected through cracks in floors, walls and ceilings. This is possible due to the fact that air of different temperatures accumulates in existing structural flaws, which creates visible reflections in thermal images.

Important! To obtain the most accurate information about the condition of the building, both types of surveys should be performed.

Which thermal imager to choose for home inspection: device specifications

When choosing a thermal imager, one should be guided by such characteristics of the device as the temperature range of measurements, the resolution of the liquid crystal display and the IR detector, thermal sensitivity, measurement error and the availability of additional options.

The range of measured temperatures is represented by the lower and upper limits that the device can detect. This parameter is determined by the scope of the device. To use it in industrial systems or to detect cold leaks in refrigeration plants, you need a device with the widest possible range. To inspect residential buildings, it is enough to purchase a thermal imager with a temperature parameter in the range of 0-100 ºС.

Thanks to the thermal imager, calculations can be obtained to eliminate defects by bringing the building up to thermal insulation standards

Another important characteristic of a thermal imager is the resolution of the infrared detector. Devices with a value of less than 320x240 are suitable for close inspection of the thermal insulation state of building structures and internal utilities. Such a device is not able to detect small defects, cracks and insulation faults in butt joints.

The standard indicator for many models of thermal imagers is the resolution of the infrared detector 320x240p, which is ideal for examining residential buildings and apartments. For large engineering structures, it is better to purchase thermal imagers with a detector resolution of more than 320x240p, which will ensure high-quality shooting of objects at a safe distance.

Important! Such devices provide good results even with weather disturbances.

A less important metric is screen resolution. To quickly view the state of the surface of walls, heating devices and butt joints of structures, it is enough to purchase a thermal imager with a low resolution of 640x480r. To perform a comprehensive thermal imaging survey of any type of structure, it is better to opt for a model with a high index - over 640x480r.

The thermal imager is determined by the scope of use of the device

Heat sensitivity affects the accuracy of the measurement results. For the inspection of residential buildings, you can purchase a device with a value of this indicator of 0.05 ° C. The temperature measurement error for a standard device should be less than 2%. Devices with a value of more than 2% receive data without detailed processing of the results.

Additional capabilities of thermal imagers for object inspection

The thermal imager can be equipped with additional lenses - wide-angle and telescopic.The first element performs an approximate survey of an extended object, when it is impossible to move away from it at a certain distance. This lens also allows for close inspection of small building elements. The telescopic sight of the thermal imager will be needed if it is necessary to check the object at a great distance, where there is no way to get close to the object.

Some models can be equipped with GPS, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules. There are devices that have a built-in camera, compass, laser pointer and backlight, which is reflected in the price of the thermal imager.

A thermal imager is often equipped with a picture-in-picture option, which provides an overlay of an infrared image on a real image. Video recording function allows you to capture IR image and real view. This increases the speed of processing the survey results and improves the quality of the report. Thanks to the voice guidance option, you can record comments by attaching them to the picture.

Thermal imaging inspection can be carried out in a residential building as a whole or in an individual apartment

With a thermal imager, thanks to a special option, it is possible to measure moisture. This will provide information in cases of water leakage, problems with the air conditioning system, violation of the integrity of the roof. For expensive thermal imagers, it is common to have an IR video recording function.

Methods for displaying information from a thermal imager

The price of a telescopic examination also depends on the method of transferring the information received after the examination. There are several options. The first method is called Full IP and is a full-screen infrared image.

Picture-in-Picture mode creates picture-in-picture. The thermal image is displayed as a normal photograph, making it easier to find the area with low heat levels. Alpha Blеnding mode helps to superimpose normal and thermal photographs on top of each other. This opportunity contributes to obtaining a more visual, understandable and informative image.

When using the IR / Visible Alarm mode, you can get an infrared image of those places that are characterized by a temperature within a specified range. The rest of the areas are displayed as conventional digital photographs.

An infrared camera can help diagnose a variety of problems

The Full Visible Light mode will allow you to create such pictures as with a digital camera. The building temperature is not taken into account here. This mode is useful in certain cases. Even some models of budget thermal imagers equipped with a built-in 3-5 megapixel digital camera have this function.

Review of popular budget models of thermal imagers for survey of cottages

The RGK TL-80 thermal imager is very popular, which is ideal for inspecting the structures of the facility fencing, the quality of installed door and window blocks, and the "warm floor" system. This is a good solution for both beginners and professionals. The detector resolution is 80x80p, the screen resolution is 320x240p, the temperature measurement error is less than 2%. The model is equipped with a 5 megapixel visible range camera, so you can record video with voice commentary.

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Specific features of the device. Varieties of testers. How to use the device correctly. Rating of the most popular models.

For efficient operation of the device in a dimly lit place, the thermal imager has a built-in IR illumination and a 32x zoom option. The set to the device includes software with three active windows, the work with which is described in detail in the instructions. The thermal imager is powered by a battery, thanks to which the device can work for 4 hours. The cost of the device is on average 60 thousand rubles.

Another equally popular model is the Testo 865 thermal imager. The device has proven itself well for everyday inspection of heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. The "Testo" thermal imager is characterized by a detector resolution of 160x120r, a screen - 320x240r, a temperature range from -20 to 280 ° C, and a thermal sensitivity of no more than 0.12. The device can work for 4 hours.

The Testo 865 thermal imager is charged with a battery, thanks to which the device can be operated for several hours

Important! The model is equipped with a built-in 2.8 GB memory card, where reports can be stored.

The thermal imager has a picture-in-picture function that allows you to superimpose a thermal image of an object on a real one. The cost of the device is 69 thousand UAH.

A good model is the Pulsar Quantum Lite XQ30V thermal imager. The device has a detector and a display with a resolution of 640x480r. The temperature range is from -25 to 250 ° C. The thermal sensitivity of the device is 0.11. The telescopic lens allows inspection from a certain distance, which does not affect the quality of the resulting image. The information is recorded on a 6 GB memory card. You can buy the Pulsar thermal imager for 105 thousand rubles.

Thermal imagers test middle price segment for object survey

Thermal imager Fluke Tі32 has good reviews. The device is characterized by a detector resolution of 320x240p, a screen of 640x480p, and a thermal sensitivity of 0.045 ° C. The thermal imager is ideal for surveying residential, public and typical industrial buildings. For objects of increased responsibility, it is better to use high-tech equipment.

Thermal imager Fluke Tі32 is characterized by high data transmission accuracy, therefore it is used for examining complex objects

Important! This model of thermal imager can be used in the most adverse conditions, is capable of withstanding a drop from a height of 2 m, and is equipped with protection from moisture and dust.

The picture-in-picture function combines infrared images with real-time images to quickly identify abnormalities in the object. To obtain high-quality images, interchangeable lenses are used: telescopic - for long distance, wide-angle - for close. The cost of the Fluke thermal imager is 390 thousand rubles.

The Flir E8 is lightweight, compact and easy to operate. The device is characterized by high accuracy of data transmission, therefore it is used for examining complex objects, heating and ventilation systems in multi-storey buildings. However, it is not suitable for large industrial buildings.

The resolution of the screen and detector of the Flir thermal imager is 320x240 pixels. The device detects temperatures in the range from -20 to 250 ºС. The device is characterized by a thermal sensitivity of 0.06 ºС. Power is supplied from two batteries, which ensure the operation of the device for 4 hours. You can buy equipment for 400 thousand rubles.

The cost of the thermal imager Fluke is about 390 thousand rubles Flir E8

The devices of increased efficiency include the Fluke TіS 75 model, which is characterized by an extended software filling. The thermal imager has a high detector and screen resolution of 320x240p. For a camera of the visible range, this parameter is 5 megapixels. The device has a thermal sensitivity of 0.08 ºС. Manual focusing allows you to take high-quality images at a distance of 15 cm using the device.

The thermal imager has an internal memory of 8 GB for video recording. Thanks to a special option, you can attach voice and text comments to it. The device can combine all elements into a single file, which does not require organizing a large array of images. Power is supplied from lithium-ion batteries, which are equipped with an LED indicator that indicates the charge level.You can buy such a thermal imager for 490 thousand rubles.

 How much do thermal imagers cost high-tech class

This group is opened by the model of the thermal imager Testo 890-2 with a detector resolution of 1280x960p and a screen of 480x272p. For a camera of the visible range, this parameter is 5 megapixels. The thermal sensitivity of the device is 0.04 ºС. The thermal imager can work for 4.5 hours thanks to the fast-charging lithium-ion battery. The device is able to enlarge images 3 times, which does not affect the image quality.

The set of the thermal imager includes interchangeable telescopic and wide-angle lenses, allowing you to carry out inspection from a certain distance or very close to the object. The instrument can measure the moisture content of the surface being scanned. To perform this procedure, the dew point temperature of the surface is manually set. This option makes it possible to identify areas with a high risk of condensation and mold growth. The cost of the device is 890 thousand rubles.

Thermal sensitivity of the Testo 890-2 device is 0.04 ºС

Important! This model of a thermal imager is able to form panoramic images in the case of an examination of an extended object.

Another high-tech model is the Fluke TiX580 thermal imager, which costs 1.3 million rubles. Such a device is different from many other devices. Thanks to its unconventional shape and the ability to rotate the display, the thermal imager looks like a video camera. The device has a larger screen diagonal. The operation of the device is controlled using a touch screen.

Thanks to the special function of the equipment, it is possible to obtain clear images with good sharpness. The model has a wide-angle lens that allows you to examine large objects without using an additional lens. The display and screen resolution is 640x480r. Thermal sensitivity of the device - 0.05 ºС. Can record conventional and radiometric video images.

The device has the ability to wirelessly connect to tablets, PC or Android. The thermal imager can simultaneously display the image on 5 devices. The device works continuously for 3 hours thanks to the presence of two batteries with the function of determining the charge level.

Thanks to its unconventional shape, the Fluke TiX580 thermal imager has the ability to rotate the display

Thermal imagers are convenient and effective equipment for determining the quality of thermal insulation of a building and identifying possible defects. To obtain correct data, it is important to select the correct device. To do this, you should take into account its main characteristics and functionality.