Infrared Thermography, otherwise called thermal imaging, is a noninvasive technique used to detect variations in temperature. A specialized camera that can see infrared radiation is used for this. Unlike visible light, the spectrum of light that infrared radiation emits has a longer wavelength and is not visible to the naked eye.
Is this radiation you speak of dangerous?
Not at all. Infrared radiation isn’t that kind of radiation. As a molecule heats up, the atoms that make up that molecule begin to vibrate move around, emitting kinetic energy in the form of heat or thermal emissions. This radiating heat is what a thermal imager sees.
I use infrared cameras to identify thermal emissions and anomalies around the home, with different temperatures represented by varying colors on the camera’s screen. This method enables me to identify potential problems such as inadequate heating or cooling, insufficient insulation, active water intrusion, and leaking seals around windows and doors. In my arsenal of tools that accompany me to an inspection, I carry at least two handheld thermal cameras, and a drone with infrared capabilities.
Can a thermal camera see through walls?
No. It is quite common for people to have a misunderstanding of what a thermal camera is capable of. Thermal cameras are not handheld x-ray machines. They can only see heat, or a lack thereof, that is radiating from an object.
Can a thermal camera see wet areas in a wall or ceiling?
They can’t determine if an area is wet or dry, however, a section of ceiling for example that is damp or wet due to a roof leak will usually show up cooler than the surrounding areas. When this sort of anomaly is observed during a home inspection, the area will be tested with a moisture meter to determine if the area contains a higher moisture content than the surrounding areas.
How can a thermal camera find missing insulation in ceilings and walls?
Let’s use missing insulation in an attic as an example. It’s 2:00PM on a sunny summer afternoon and the ambient air temperature in the attic space is well over 100 F, the indoor air temperature is a cool 67 F because the AC has been blowing all day. There will be enough heat radiating through the ceiling from the uninsulated attic area for the thermal camera to see. At this point, a trip into the attic would be warranted to confirm what the camera sees from inside the home.
Now on the other hand, in this situation, if the attic space is the same temperature as the room below, missing insulation may not be detected using a thermal camera as there is no temperature difference between the two spaces.
Does it take special training to use a thermal camera?
Anyone can turn on a thermal camera and look around, but not just anyone should conduct a thermal infrared inspection. It takes special training to understand what is being seen and to know how to interpret the data. I personally have taken training courses in this field and have acquired an InterNACHI certification in thermal imaging.