Energy Management and Infrared Thermography

Energy management concerns often involve quality of workmanship issues. In this case a residential client had concerns over the construction of a second story sun-room, with north and west exposure. The builder had insisted that the building envelope was sound. Many times during the winter, the owner noticed water puddling on the window sill and soaking the carpet at exposed wall joints. An infrared inspection of the sun-room, later that winter confirmed the owner's suspicions of inadequate window and joint seals. The outdoor temperature at the time of inspection was -20 degrees Celsius and the indoor air temperature was 23 degrees Celsius. In the thermograms to the right (Fig. 1 & 2), the pink areas inside the blue regions represent temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. Fig. 1 Fig. 2

There was only a 3 degree difference between the outside and inside surfaces (quite a poor R-Value by any standards). This of course explained the source of the water. The sub-zero interior surface temperatures were causing water in the warm moist interior air to condense and freeze during the night. When the outdoor temperature warmed during the day, the ice would melt, leaving the water to pool. Sound building envelopes will save on energy costs over the long term. Nowhere is this more important than with large commercial and industrial facilities.

Fig. 3 An industrial coffee roaster (Fig. 3) is here inspected thermographically for insulation deficiences, heat loss at seals, and safe operating temperatures. Proper furnace insulation will increase the efficiency and lower the energy costs of the operation. Confirming temperature and uniformity of heat distribution will insure a consistent product.

Inspecting ductwork (Fig. 4) for leaks and deficient insulation should be a part of any comprehensive energy management program. Regular IR-monitoring of steam and HVAC systems helps reduce energy costs. Fig. 4