Properties require ongoing maintenance and care to keep operating smoothly, efficiently, safely and comfortably for occupants. From residential homes to large commercial buildings, having a comprehensive understanding of a property's current condition is key for maintenance planning and prioritization. This is where Infrared Thermal Inspections can provide immense value through non-invasive inspection methods that identify issues undetectable by the naked eye.

What are Infrared Thermal Inspections?

Infrared Thermal Inspections utilize infrared thermography cameras capable of detecting subtle temperature differences down to 0.1 degrees Celsius. As infrared cameras scan surfaces, specialized software translates thermal data into visual images depicting surface temperatures through a color palette. This enables inspectors to identify and evaluate the severity of moisture intrusion, air infiltration or exfiltration, missing or deficient insulation, electrical faults and more based solely on non-invasive surface temperature patterns.

Key Benefits of Thermal Imaging for Property Maintenance

1. Identify Hidden Moisture Intrusion

Moisture intrusion inside walls, attics or basements can be practically impossible to detect visually in early stages. But left unaddressed, hidden moisture enables mold growth, rotting structures and even pests while decreasing insulation effectiveness. Infrared cameras can quickly scan inside walls and attics to identify temperature differences suggesting trapped moisture so issues can be resolved before costly damage occurs.

2. Evaluate Insulation Efficiency

Poor insulation results in uncomfortable hot and cold spots while driving up energy costs. But determining insulation deficiencies by visual inspection alone is difficult. Infrared cameras clearly highlight missing or settled insulation, air gaps and other faults decreasing insulation performance so improvements can target key areas providing the most benefit.

3. Detect Electrical System Hot Spots

Loose connections, circuit overloads and other electrical faults generate heat long before failure or fires. Infrared inspections pinpoint electrical hot spots so issues can proactively be corrected to avoid power disruptions or danger. Thermal scanning also provides critical guidance for aligned electrical load balancing and capacity planning.

4. Assess HVAC Operations

Inefficient HVAC systems waste energy while struggling to maintain comfort. Ductwork leaks, imbalanced flow rates and poor refrigerant levels quickly become apparent with an infrared inspection. This allows fine tuning HVAC operations for better comfort, indoor air quality and reduced costs. Infrared is even useful verifying new HVAC installations operate as intended.

5. Prioritize Air Sealing/Infiltration Repairs

Unwanted air infiltration or exfiltration significantly impacts energy consumption while enabling pollen, dust and pests to enter indoors. Traditional insulation alone cannot address air leaks without extensive tear-out. Infrared scans clearly reveal specific leakage points around doors, windows, outlets and penetrations for targeted sealing that maximizes return on investment.

6. Evaluate Roof Conditions

A roof that appears intact visually may have hidden moisture beneath the surface indicating early failure. Infrared identifies saturated insulation or roof decking suggesting replacement is imminent before costly interior water damage occurs. Thermal scanning also confirms new roof installations were completed effectively without gaps or voids.

7. Guide Envelope Upgrades

Energy-focused building envelope upgrades aim to minimize conductive, convective and air leakage heat transfer between conditioned interiors and ambient exterior temperatures. Infrared clearly identifies specific deficiencies and priority areas for air sealing, insulation improvements or material upgrades providing energy-saving returns.

What to Expect During an Inspection

Infrared thermal inspections are non-invasive, typically taking only a few hours depending on building size and detail level. An inspector will methodically scan interior and exterior surfaces with an infrared camera under normal operating conditions while noting points of interest. The inspector may briefly question occupants regarding areas of known comfort, moisture or electrical issues to correlate with scan data. Some inspectors offer real-time scan results for small areas but generally compile findings into a detailed report afterwards along with images depicting thermal patterns and temperature measurements. Expect the final infrared inspection report within a week in most cases.

Interpreting and Applying Results

Infrared inspection reports contain reviewer notes, thermal images and detailed analysis with findings categorized by severity. Issues are typically assigned as Class 1 (critical lines), Class 2 (issues likely to become critical if left unaddressed) or Class 3 (non-critical anomalies warranting further evaluation). Recommendations suggest next steps like contacting an electrician for loose wiring connections, scheduling roof core testing to confirm moisture under membrane or sealing specific air gaps around windows.

Property managers and homeowners can apply report findings to immediately correct critical safety issues while developing short and long term maintenance plans addressing other deficiencies. Comparing reports year-over-year also helps determine repair effectiveness and ROI. Many also find value having an infrared scan completed before and after renovations or system upgrades to evaluate improvements.

Choose Certified Thermographers

Like any inspection method, infrared scan quality is highly dependent on an inspector's expertise, equipment capabilities and reporting. Numerous factors like weather conditions, indoor and outdoor temperature differences and property operating conditions also influence results. Be sure to ask about a thermographer's certifications, affiliation with professional inspection societies and years of field training. Reputable thermographers always endeavour to follow established standards and ethics guidelines for consistent inspection quality and reporting.

The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) provides infrared camera operation and analysis certifications. Residential focused inspectors offering more holistic building evaluations often hold additional certifications like Certified Infrared Thermographer (CIT) from Infrared Training Center (ITC) or Thermographer Level 1 from Infrared Training Institute (IRTI). Regardless of specific certifications, always verify an inspector's experience aligning with your property type and inspection goals.

Infrared Thermal Scans Provide Invaluable Knowledge

As discussed throughout this article, Infrared Thermal Inspections deliver transformational knowledge about hidden property conditions undetectable through visual inspections alone. Thermal scan data enables superior maintenance planning, repair prioritization and capital budgeting for issues that if left unaddressed, can cause occupant discomfort, operational waste, structural damages or even liability risks over time. The minimal expense of an infrared scan is well worth gains in property performance, longevity and safety. Consider adding this incredibly useful non-invasive evaluation to your property management and maintenance programs going forward.