Thermal Imaging

Infrared images are designed to illustrate areas of thermal temperature differentials. Rather than recording visible light, thermal cameras create images from heat. The photos will show fluctuations in hot/cold energy radiating from the area being photographed.

The images are taken with two types of specialized equipment – a hand-held camera and a drone mounted camera. Both cameras take a double set of each image – one regular photo for referencing and the corresponding thermal image.

Thermal Imaging Session

A Better Altitude,LLC is offering to utilize our thermal imaging equipment to provide you with an inexpensive view of the energy efficiency of your home or business.

How the service works ~

1) Call or email to request a Thermal Imaging Session.

2) You will be scheduled as soon as possible, although the weather is the main consideration.
2) Our FAA 107 certified and insured drone pilot, accesses the exterior of your property and uses our equipment to capture dual images – normal for reference and thermal – from all elevations, including roof structures.
3) Your Thermal Imaging Record is generated on-site and delivered on a 2 GB USB flash drive, along with a general interpretation guide, which can be viewed below.

* To minimize the cost of this service, scheduling is coordinated by grouped locations.

True North Home Inspection, LLC and A Better Altitude, LLC assume no liability for their presence and use of their thermal imaging equipment on the premises during the imaging session. They also assume no liability for the accuracy of the interpretation of the information contained in the final Thermal Imaging Record. We make no claim to be licensed or certified Thermographers and offer no specialized interpretations of the images in this document. Images contained in this document are for reference only. Infrared images are designed to illustrate areas of thermal temperature differentials. Rather than recording visible light, thermal cameras create images from heat. The photos will show fluctuations in hot/cold energy radiating from the area being photographed.

Thermal Imaging Guide

Interpreting Your Images

It is important to remember that temperature fluctuations are measured within a set of parameters. The hand-held camera thermal images automatically show a “thermal range” at the right of the photo. This thermal range will show the coldest temperature being recorded at the bottom of the range scale and the highest temperature that is being recorded at the top of the range scale. Additionally, a temperature reading is recorded at the center of the imaging area, which is displayed at the upper left of the recorded image.

This range is affected by weather conditions at the time of the imaging session. Sunlight and its reflection can cause greater fluctuations.

The drone mounted camera parameters are not shown on the images, but are manually set to correspond with the current ambient air temperature at the time of the data collection. These parameters are similar to the hand-held

The following collection of images represent examples of common conditions found with our thermal cameras ~

Examples

Example # 1

The thermal range is shown in the above image on the right. The temperature is illustrated from (negative) -5.4 degrees to 10.9 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale, with a focused, (center) temperature reading of 4.1 degrees.

Example # 1

The photos can be somewhat alarming to look at, as if energy is literally pouring out of this house! But remember, we are seeing the results of a 16 +/- degree Fahrenheit thermal range in the example photo.

In this example, you can see reflective energy as well as heat-loss energy at the windows. Windows and exterior doors from heated spaces will typically be showing isotherm measurements that are higher on the temperature scale. Even the most thermally efficient windows and doors will show higher readings due to reflective energy.

You can also see a band of higher temperatures near the ground. This particular home is heated by in-floor hot-water tubing, which heats the concrete slab foundation. The slab temperature is higher than surrounding areas and shows as a thermal band.

A rise in temperature is visible at the top of the walls, also on either side of the windows. These would indicate wood framing members that act as ‘thermal bridges’, which are conveying heat energy at the exterior of the home. (This would equate to nearly identical features from the interior, but opposite with blue or colder readings). These framing components consist of header material above windows and doors, king studs at the sides of the windows and doors, and vertical wall studs. You can also see a small area of energy loss at a wall vent, most likely for a propane fireplace with a pilot light.

In other words, this image shows a very typical energy efficient home. Yes, there are areas of energy transmission to exterior, but there are no further measures the home-owner could take to prevent this typical energy transmission. Notice, even the trees are producing heat energy on a chilly Winter Day!

More Examples

# 2 ~ Reference

# 3 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 4 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 4 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 4 ~ Reference

Heat loss at garage overhead doors, man door and dormer areas.

# 3 ~ Thermal

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 3 ~ Thermal

Normal minor heat loss on roof ridge. Melting visible on left side of roof near the ridge, possibly indicating insufficient insulation. Dormer areas show possible need for improved insulation, as well.

Lower right shows the heated slab thermal band.

You can even see a recent footprint at the garage back door.

# 4 ~ Thermal

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 3 ~ Thermal

Direct vent from heating system. Appears as extreme heat loss, but always reference the temperature scale. Here it is only 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

# 5 ~ Reference

# 6 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 7 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 7 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 7 ~ Reference

Normal heat loss from the windows and reflective energy.

Thermal bridging at the wall frame and heat energy band at in-floor heated slab.

# 6 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 6 ~ Thermal

Gable truss framing above patio door is visible as thermal bridge.

Thermal and reflective energy at sliding glass door.

Possible insufficient at wall near exterior light fixture.

Note heat energy at electric plug-in timer.

# 7 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 6 ~ Thermal

Ridge and gable vent showing normal temperature differential.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal Imaging Session

Thermal Imaging Guide

Interpreting Your Images

Examples

Example # 1

Example # 1

Example # 1

Example # 1

Example # 1

Example # 1

More Examples

# 2 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 3 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 4 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Reference

# 4 ~ Reference

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 4 ~ Reference

# 3 ~ Thermal

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 3 ~ Thermal

# 4 ~ Thermal

# 2 ~ Thermal

# 3 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 6 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 7 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Reference

# 7 ~ Reference

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 7 ~ Reference

# 6 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 6 ~ Thermal

# 7 ~ Thermal

# 5 ~ Thermal

# 6 ~ Thermal

Contact Us

Have an idea for your project? We'd love to help!

A Better Altitude

Check Out What We're Up To Today!

*All images/video/music are copyrighted original material.

This website uses cookies.