Thermal Imaging
Red E3 provides thermal imaging reports. Our primary use is for energy audits here in San Diego California. Thermal imaging is a powerful non destructive diagnostic tool.
We defineThermal Imaging as using a thermal imaging camera to find heat signatures. A thermal imaging camera cannot see through walls or clothing as many people have been told in the past. It simply can see the heat or lack of it as it exists on the surface of an object in real time. So we can see heat or lack of it behind a wall or the heat coming off a person and the difference of where they have clothing or not but we are imaging a heat signature.
Anomalies
So how is this useful in inspection? With a thermal imager we can find anomalies through non destructive testing. As a thermographer scans they are looking for something that does not fit the pattern that we expect to see. If one area stands out differently than we can note that there is an inconsistency that needs further review.
Delta
For good thermal imaging we need good conditions. For home inspections it is ideal to have an 18 degree Farenheght difference or 10 Celsius between the ambient outside temperature relative to the inside temperature. This difference or delta is needed for clarity of heat signatures.
Solar loading
It is best to do imaging either in the early morning or the evening in order to eliminate solar loading. Solar loading occurs when an object is heated by the sun. This can affect the imaging and will make results on outside walls difficult. Furthermore if you can imagine an area that has a tree partially shading a wall in full sun you will certainly witness an anomaly which is nothing more than shade.
Energy audit
The infrared camera gives us a tool which we can use to find missing insulation, moisture, and areas of air infiltration. All of these tests could be done quickly and nondestructively. The camera provides a snapshot that would be impossible to obtain in any other fashion.
Red E3 is also the home of http://www.sandiegothermalimaging.com