Thermal imaging. Loss of heat in residential buildings

Technologies do not stand still. Modern houses are equipped with autonomous boiler rooms, which optimize fuel consumption for heating the premises. However, there is a situation where the devices for monitoring the energy costs of heaters show unreasonably high rates of its consumption. In this case, the hosts should carry out thermal imaging surveys. They will help to identify and eliminate heat losses, which depend on the size of the building, on materials, on the area of windows and doors being opened, and other factors.

The essence of thermal imaging

The loss of heat is very common in residential buildings both in high-rise buildings and in modern own homes. Therefore, the issue of reducing energy costs is relevant for every type of house. Solve it can conduct thermal imaging surveys of buildings.

After the construction, thermal imaging surveys of buildings help to identify structural defects, cracks and malfunctions. This technique has proven itself as one of the main ways of diagnosing structures after the completion of erection of structures.

Scanning of apartment buildings, private cottages and other structures is performed using infrared thermal imaging. This allows you to see the object in completely different colors. In the warm colors of the spectrum, areas with increased heat loss are painted, and in cold colors - with their minimum values.

What the survey reveals

The thermogram is an image in infrared rays, which is based on the temperature distribution of the object's fields. It is built using a thermal imaging device. He creates a picture that clearly shows the places of the superheated or supercooled surface.

Thermal imaging of buildings can reveal the following:

• Defects of thermal insulation on walls, roof, foundations and window openings;
• Defects in electrical and thermal equipment;
• Leakage through hidden pipelines;
• Zones of condensation and moisture accumulation.

The method of thermal imaging diagnostics will allow to identify and eliminate defects at the stage of rough construction. At the stage of delivery of the object by the contractor, this technology will allow us to assess the quality of the construction work. This will in the future avoid the additional costs of altering the poorly executed by the builders actions.

Advantages of the survey

One of the advantages of conducting thermal imaging control is the possibility of a non-contact, remote process. It is very convenient for inspection of such buildings as multi-apartment houses.

Infrared instruments have small dimensions and weight. They simply transferred to the site of the survey. This facilitates rapid manipulation and a large number of serviced objects. The cost of testing is minimal.

The image appears on the device screen instantly. This allows you to process the result in just 2-3 days. And it does not depend on the size of the object. The device overview allows to carry out a survey of both small (from several centimeters) and large (up to several hundred meters) buildings and structures.

The presented technique does not harm human health and is recognized as environmentally safe.

How the survey is conducted

To obtain the most accurate result, it is better to survey multi-apartment houses and private cottages in the heating season. In this case, the room must be continuously heated before it for at least 3 days.

Before the test, all materials stored near the room should be removed from the walls. It will be necessary to move furniture away from the walls, remove carpets, if any. It will also be necessary to free the corners and plinth. Thermal imaging examines the maximum heat loss in such zones.

Regardless of the illumination, heat audit will allow to determine with high accuracy the temperature emitted by each point of the dwelling. This allows you to generate a thermogram. It will show those areas where it is necessary to perform repairs, strengthen insulation materials or other work. This will significantly increase energy efficiency in the premises and reduce the cost of heating the home.

Building error detection

Thermal imaging diagnostics makes it possible to identify errors committed during the construction of a building that can not be determined with the naked eye. If in some place the thermal insulation is not made correctly, the thermogram will show it.

If the building norms have not been met in full, moisture will accumulate in some places of the structure. This will lead to the formation of fungus and microorganisms, which will destroy the insulation materials. Such sites presented survey is also able to determine.

Mold also affects the health of people living in an apartment or house. Thermal imaging surveys with a special color show the places of possible condensate collection. They will be eliminated easily, based on the report of the survey team.

Air leakage can also be detected using this technique. The pressure inside the room in this situation will be lower than outside. Air in this case will flow through unsealed places. The thermal imager will help to identify structural defects that lead to drafts and eliminate them.

What else reveals the survey

The method presented reveals the beginning of the exfoliation of the plaster walls. This will allow for timely reconstruction. The infrared image will also show the system of the warm floor. If the water pipes, immured in the base, leak, the device will reveal its exact place. This is also applicable for central heating systems.

On flat roofs, thermal imaging will detect leaks. The thermogram will replace only those parts of the roof where defects in roofing materials have been detected. This will significantly save the customer's funds for repair.

The heat audit will also increase the fire safety of the house. It will provide information on the places of overheating of the chimney. Places of increased fire hazard will also be visible on the thermogram.

Having familiarized with the advantages provided by thermal imaging surveys, anyone can quickly and inexpensively check their housing for heat loss and various defects in building materials, as well as planning. This will save considerable funds for heating the premises and prevent the need for an early overhaul of the building.