Infrared Imaging
What is infrared imaging?
Infrared imaging or thermography is a science that detects the infrared radiation emitted from all objects warmer than absolute zero (which is most of us and the homes in which we live). The application of thermography to building science allows a trained thermographer to study heat movement in buildings. As an example, thermography may be used to determine the qualitative level of insulation and air sealing of a wall, ceiling or floor. This non-destructive evaluation may provide information to better guide the installation of insulation and air sealing methods to make a building more energy efficient, more comfortable, and less expensive to operate.
Thermography may also be used to determine the presence of moisture in walls, ceilings, or roof structures.
More detailed information about thermography is avaialble at this internet link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermography
The following photos show a visible light image at left and the same view in infrared at right. Many of these issues cannot be found other than by infrared imaging. The darker areas in the infrared image are cool and the yellow/white areas are warm. These images were taken during winter, so the cool (dark) areas indicate cool air leakage from the outside, or more correctly, heat loss from the inside.
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