Energy Auditing Home inspections & Weatherization. withthermal Imagers

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1 Energy Auditing Home inspections & Weatherization withthermal Imagers Peter Hachey Fluke Electronics Canada LP

2 Agenda General Introduction Thermography Principles Inspecting with IR Thermal Imaging in the Building Envelope Other Applications How to choose a thermal imager IR analysis and reporting software Summary

4 Overview of Thermography Knowing a little about thermography helps!

temperature It is the science of seeing temperature by measuring the radiation

5 What is Thermography? Infrared radiation is emitted by all objects The amount of radiation increases with temperature It is the science of seeing temperature by measuring the radiation emitted from an object and converting this data to a corresponding digital, or visual image called a thermogram We are only measuring the surface temperature!

and documentation of problems, before and

6 What Does a Thermal Imager Do? Displays the thermal patterns on a given surface by converting temperature data to a digital image Provides visual verification and documentation of problems, before and after Reduces liability, improves efficiency, adds revenue stream

7 Why Thermal Imaging? Easier & more effective inspection Customers request it Be more competitive Build a business or Add to your business portfolio

8 Thermography Benefits Measurements are: Non-contact Obtained without disturbing structure Very sensitive to problem characteristics Detect problem before significant damage Can scan large areas quickly Identifies specific location

9 What Do We Look For? Air infiltration Energy use Comfort Insulation issues Moisture Construction problems

10 Where Do We Look? Indoor Walls Floors Ceilings Ducts Exterior Thermal bridging Windows & doors Construction joints Roofs HVAC/R Electrical and Mechanical Systems

11 Air Leaks Become Visible! Fast location of air leaks and missing insulation Non-destructive Easily document & report findings to property owner

13 Three Modes of Heat Transfer

14 Heat Transfer Heat transfer can be: Transient: temperature is constantly and significantly changing Steady state: heat flow is constant with time

Thermal Capacitance The amount of energy an object needs to absorb

slowly because of its high heat capacity Air heats and cools

take place depends on thermal capacitance and thermal conductivity

15 Thermal Capacitance The amount of energy an object needs to absorb or release in order to change temperature Water heats and cools slowly because of its high heat capacity Air heats and cools rapidly because of its low heat capacity How quickly this change take place depends on thermal capacitance and thermal conductivity not time. Which has the highest thermal capacitance? Copper Steel Brick Wood Water

17 Successful IR Audit Air Leaks ASTM E-1186 T of 5 C for Air Leak Inspection Insulation ASTM C-1060 T of 10 C for Insulation Inspection

Inspecting with IR Stabilize home Turn HVAC off 10-15 min after arrive

systematically follow route IR image appears hot or cold depending on

18 Inspecting with IR Stabilize home Turn HVAC off min after arrive before scan Perform visual inspection of building envelope Work systematically follow route IR image appears hot or cold depending on climate Inspect from both inside and outside Validate findings with other tools

19 Range, Level & Span Range Span Level Saturation Colors Level =65 F Span = 30 F

20 Level and Span keep span narrow and adjust level as needed Auto Manual

8 Best focus is critical for accurate temperature measurements

21 Focus is CRITICAL Focusing an IR imager is different than a visible camera Infrared images are naturally less sharp Best focus is critical for accurate temperature measurements Unfocused Image Anything but focus can be modified/optimized later with PC software Focused Image

22 Air Leaks Image Courtesy of Structure Tech Home Inspections Common causes: Door & window gaps Exterior wall electrical outlets Recessed lights Attic penetrations Ducts / Vents

29 Air Leaks Locate exact leak point

30 Insulation Common causes: Missing Settled Wet Insufficient

34 Moisture or Air Infiltration?

35 Moisture Implications: Wet insulation does not perform Insulation settles Mold

IR Moisture Detection Evaporative Moisture Cooling (EMC) Wet materials evaporating water will reduce the surface temperature in a controlled

36 IR Moisture Detection Evaporative Moisture Cooling (EMC) Wet materials evaporating water will reduce the surface temperature in a controlled environment until equilibrium is reached (dry) EMC causes thermal anomaly on surface, even when surface is dry Temperature difference can be >0.2 C MOISTURE

37 37 Master Thermography Presentation JWP-4

38 Moisture Intrusion

39 Moisture in ceiling

40 40 Master Thermography Presentation JWP-4 Detecting Water Leaks

caused by: improper construction poor building management air

41 Moisture Water entering building structure through: leaks in building envelop failed and poorly installed plumbing Condensation caused by: improper construction poor building management air leakage All of which can cause health, comfort, safety and financial issues

44 MOISTURE

45 Other application for thermography Electrical Mechanical Electro-mechanical HVAC Roofs (flat to low slope types only)

46 Roof Inspections Visually inspect roof before day of survey Plan inspection grid Make note of obstacles Know the roof type! Monitor the weather closely

47 47

48 Electrical Inspections Easily find electrical problems at the panel or on mechanical equipment

50 Steam Traps Normal When operating properly, the steam side is hotter and the condensate side is cooler. Faulty

52 Other! Alarm threshold set at 40 C Alpha Blending set at 50%

53 How to choose a thermal imager STEP 1: Analyse your needs STEP 2: Speak to an expert STEP 3: Talk with your peers STEP 4: Work with a local supplier STEP 5: Take a test drive! 10/24/2011 Fluke Confidential 53

54 What is Your Application? Building Diagnostics / Inspection Thermal imagers designed for this Measure smaller range of temperatures than industrial thermal imagers Require high thermal sensitivity

55 Look for the following Features Image fusion Technology Large crisp images Made for rough environments Documented and proven drop tests Easy-to-use Flexible data storage Voice annotation Simple and full-featured analysis and reporting software Ideally, should be included free of charge Maximum warranty included free 2 year warranty should be the minimum Look for The complete package

56 More detailed features Designed to help you work more efficiently in the field: Adjustable Emissivity PIP and image blending functions Level and Span adjustment Image Format (e.g. jpg, bmp, etc.) Voice Annotation Selectable Temp Scale (scales F and C) Date Format Time Format Camera screen back light Background Temp adjustment

57 Field replaceable lenses Must be easy to add at any time Easy to install (avoid fragile on-board electronics) Typical lens in Building Diagnostics: Wide angle Wide-angle Lens Telephoto Lens

costly upgrades You can optimize everything besides focus, range and distance

58 Analysis and Reporting Software Create professional reports Look for software which is included at no additional charge, with no license agreement and no costly upgrades You can optimize everything besides focus, range and distance (FoRD) in the software afterwards Customizable templates makes your life easier!

add markers and text annotations Export Images & Temp Data to Word /

59 Example of IR software: Modify: - Temperature range, color palette, emissivity, background temperature, IR/visual image blending, and add markers and text annotations Export Images & Temp Data to Word / Excel Create reports in off-the-shelf word processing software (MS Word)

60 Questions?

61 Thank You! Peter Hachey Level I Thermographer Fluke Electronics Canada LP x251 peter.hachey@fluke.com

For building inspections

Thermal imaging basics For building inspections An infrared building inspection guidebook Fluke Thermal Imaging Infrared Building Inspection Guidebook Contents Page Section 3 4 5 6 9 10 12 Introduction