New service
Having undertaken a number of retrofit studies in properties of all ages and constructions, one of the most revealing and interactive parts of the home visit is using my thermographic imaging camera. It has proven to be a great investment, and homeowner are immediately drawn to the images it produces. Sometimes this confirms something they always suspected (a gap in the insulation or a leaky door) and other times provides a eureka moment: so that’s why that room is so cold!
For those unfamiliar with thermography, the camera measures tiny differences in surface temperature to produce an image that reads like a heat map. The camera records in a form of infrared which our eyes cannot detect. The captured image or video shows a rainbow of colours which represent different temperatures: red and yellows being hot and blues and purples being cold. The read out also reads the temperature ‘live’ so when looking at a surface or building junction you can identify the temperature at the centre of the view, plus the smallest and largest temperatures recorded in the field of view.
This hot cup of coffee is a great example.
Mmm 46.9 degrees Celsius
Just the way I like it….
Why is it so useful for retrofit studies?
Thermographic imaging is a great way to detect underlying defects in the building fabric. Although it cannot see through things, it will detect the different surfaces temperatures of a wall or ceiling to reveal the underlying studs or rafters. These may appear as repeating thermal bridges where the timber is less well insulated than the insulation panels it contains. It may also reveal whole gaps in insulation which should have been present. Colder areas around doors and windows reveal air leakage that causes draughts and discomfort.
Cold internal surface temperature will be the place where condensation forms as warm internal air meets a cold surface. These are often the places where mould is seen, like around window reveals and behind furniture against external walls.
Another common one I see is heat loss where insulation displaced around first floor ceiling downlights. This was done historically to avoid overheating and fire risk, but can be easily mitigated today with LED fittings, loft lids and well-sealed penetrations into the cold loft space. Once we know the problem, we can identify solutions.
There are some limitations to thermographic imaging. It can be done internally and externally and each has its place. Firstly, it is best carried out in winter as there is a larger temperature differential between inside and outside. For the same reason, it is difficult to do effectively on a vacant buildings that is not actively heated. Thirdly, is best done in the morning before the sun can heat up external surfaces and give a false reading.
New Service!
Look for this icon on the Retrofit page.
As a result of doing a number of these studies I’ve decided to launch a standalone thermal imaging service. I currently include them as standard in my retrofit reports, but for clients who want a quicker and cheaper diagnosis, then I’m now in the market for this. As before, I’ll cover Bath, Bristol and the wider WECA region. Contact me for a quote.
As a guide to the content, my reports will include the images take during a one hour home visit with a brief diagnosis of the problem and a solution. An executive summary will collate the key themes together so the homeowner has an action plan to follow – many of which may be simple DIY tasks. In this way, the short-term energy savings and increase in comfort will easily pay for the cost of the report. Like my other retrofit services this will also qualify for the Retrofit West discount voucher scheme.
