Commercial & Residential Inspection

Infrared inspection enables a powerful noninvasive method to monitor and diagnose the condition of any building. The problem areas are identified that can’t be seen by the naked eye — eliminating destructive probing methods. Results are captured and documented instantly into professional reports — providing tangible proof of findings.

See what other inspectors cannot see !

When it comes to Thermal Imaging, Fairfield County Home Inspection L.L.C has the highest level of training in the state of CONNECTICUT !

No other Inspection Company in Connecticut can come close to our equipment!
"

We use FLIR Systems,  for clean, clear Thermal Images to be interpreted. Flir Systems is the leader in Thermal Imaging.   Flir Systems is the only one to hold  federal and local government contracts and is used in military surveillance.

Fairfield County Home Inspection takes the guesswork out and gets to the point of your problem

"It makes a difference"

Sharp Imaging can even be seen in the reflection of a glass panel door.

Energy Auditing

Infared thermography is a well-accepted method of imaging and evaluating the thermal efficiency of building insulation, doors, windows and other penetrations, as well as the effeciency and conditions of heathing and cooling systems. Temperature anomalies reveal problems instantly, enabling needed repairs to be made with accuracy and confidence.

Restoration

Thermographic imagery provides immediate documentation of as-built or post-restoration quality, post-casualty cause and origin data, plumbing and building envelope water leakage, post-flood and fire water-damaged material assesment and electrical problems. Plus, once the cause of moisture issue is repaired, infared can be used to monitor the drying process, and confirm when moisture is gone.

Thermographic Inspections

Thermography measures surface temperatures by using infrared video and still cameras. These tools see light that is in the heat spectrum. Images on the video or film record the temperature variations of the building’s skin, ranging from white for warm regions to black for cooler areas. The resulting images help the auditor determine whether insulation is needed. They also serve as a quality control tool, to ensure that insulation has been installed correctly.

A thermographic inspection is either an interior or exterior survey. The energy auditor decides which method would give the best results under certain weather conditions. Interior scans are more common, because warm air escaping from a building does not always move through the walls in a straight line. Heat loss detected in one area of the outside wall might originate at some other location on the inside of the wall. Also, it is harder to detect temperature differences on the outside surface of the building during windy weather. Because of this difficulty, interior surveys are generally more accurate because they benefit from reduced air movement.

Thermographic scans are also commonly used with a blower door test running. The blower door helps exaggerate air leaking through defects in the building shell. Such air leaks appear as black streaks in the infrared camera’s viewfinder.

Thermography uses specially designed infrared video or still cameras to make images (called thermograms) that show surface heat variations. This technology has a number of applications. Thermograms of electrical systems can detect abnormally hot electrical connections or components. Thermograms of mechanical systems can detect the heat created by excessive friction. Energy auditors use thermography as a tool to help detect heat losses and air leakage in building envelopes.

Infrared scanning allows energy auditors to check the effectiveness of insulation in a building’s construction. The resulting thermograms help auditors determine whether a building needs insulation and where in the building it should go. Because wet insulation conducts heat faster than dry insulation, thermographic scans of roofs can often detect roof leaks.

In addition to using thermography during an energy audit, you should have a scan done before purchasing a house; even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes. You may wish to include a clause in the contract requiring a thermographic scan of the house. A thermographic scan performed by a certified technician is usually accurate enough to use as documentation in court proceedings.

The energy auditor may use one of several types of infrared sensing devices in an on-site inspection. A spot radiometer (also called a point radiometer) is the simplest. It measures radiation one spot at a time, with a simple meter reading showing the temperature of a given spot. The auditor pans the area with the device and notes the differences in temperature. A thermal line scanner shows radiant temperature viewed along a line. The thermogram shows the line scan superimposed over a picture of the panned area. This process shows temperature variations along the line. The most accurate thermographic inspection device is a thermal imaging camera, which produces a 2-dimensional thermal picture of an area showing heat leakage. Spot radiometers and thermal line scanners do not provide the necessary detail for a complete home energy audit. Infrared film used in a conventional camera is not sensitive enough to detect heat loss.

Preparing for a Thermographic Inspection

To prepare for an interior thermal scan, the homeowner should take steps to ensure an accurate result. This may include moving furniture away from exterior walls and removing drapes. The most accurate thermographic images usually occur when there is a large temperature difference (at least 20°F [14°C]) between inside and outside air temperatures. In northern states, thermographic scans are generally done in the winter. In southern states, however, scans are usually conducted during warm weather with the air conditioner on.

Currently serving Homes and Commercial real estate loacated in,

Fairfield County, Connecticut, ( CT ) Monroe, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Norwalk, Wilton, Weston, Westport, Fairfield, Easton CT, Stratford, Redding, Bridgeport, Newtown, Trumbull, Shelton, Milford, Bethel, Greenwich,

Currently serving Commercial in New Haven county.