Energy Auditing & Weatherization with Thermal Imagers

Agenda

• Energy Auditing, Weatherization & Energy Use• Where & How Thermal Imaging Fits In• IR-Fusion® technology • Air Leaks & Insulation• Moisture• Electrical • Roofs• Thermography physics and heat transfer• How a thermal imager works• Resolving detail and parameters of a good image• Fluke Thermal Imagers• SmartView® Software

How We Use Energy in Our Homes

Space Heating

31%

Space Cooling

12%Water Heating

12%

Lighting11%

Comput-ers &

Electron-ics9%

Appliances9%

Re-friger-ation8%

Other8%

Source: DOE - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/home_energy.html Date Accessed: 4/20/2009

Energy Auditing & Weatherization

• Energy Audit• Evaluate energy use and pinpoint areas of energy loss• Thermal imager, blower door, smoke pen, air tester, energy

monitor

• Weatherization • Includes a wide variety of energy efficiency measures that

encompass the building envelope, its heating and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electricity consuming appliances

• Corrective action based on findings• Follow up scan with infrared to verify repairs

Source: DOE - http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/what_is.cfm Date Accessed: 4/20/2009

• According to ENERGY STAR®:

“…sealing and insulating the "envelope" or "shell" of your home — its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors, and floors — is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort.”

Source - http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home_sealing.hm_improvement_sealing Date Accessed: 4/20/2009

Common Air Leak Sources

Floors, Walls and Ceiling

32%

Ducts14%

Fireplace14%

Plumbing Penetrations

13%

Doors11%

Windows10%

Fans & Vents4%

Elec. Outlets2%

Source: DOE - http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/air_leaks.html Date Accessed: 4/20/2009

Why Thermal Imaging?

• Easier & more effective inspection• Customers request it• More competitive• Build business & make more money

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!

What Does an IR Camera Do?

• Displays the thermal patterns on a given surface by converting temperature data to a digital image

• Can also provide advanced temperature measurements

• Provides visual verification and documentation of moisture problems, before and after

• Most importantly – reduces liability, improves efficiency, adds revenue stream

Why use Thermal Imaging?

• Hot or cold areas, or thermal anomalies, often are a strong indicator of potential problems

• Thermal Imaging works well to inspect:• Building Inspections• Residential - Home Inspectors• Commercial – Property Managers• Energy Audits/Weatherization• Termite/Pest Control• Water damage• Commercial Low Slope Roofing• Construction Defect Management

or Building Forensic Firms• Plumbing/Radiant Heat

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

Why Thermal Imaging?

“The time savings alone made my investment in thermal imaging well worth it.  Infrared allows me to quickly and easily locate air leaks and missing insulation without having to drill and probe with a manometer.”

- Andy ImigOwner, Arrowhead Energy and Comfort Solutions – Esko, MN

Instructor, Dunwoody Institute & Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

What do we look for?

• Thermography can identify surface temperature variations that relate to problems with poor construction, missing or inadequate insulation, broken window seals, moisture intrusion and air

• Air leakage• Air Quality• Energy Consumption• Safety Concerns• Occupant comfort

• Moisture intrusion• Health (mold)

• Construction Problems• Maintenance cost• Safety Concerns

• Electrical and Mechanical Systems

Where do we look?

• Roof Systems• Indoor

• Walls• Floors• Ceilings

• Exterior• Thermal bridging• Window systems• Construction

• HVAC/R • System component operation• Duct system

• Electrical and Mechanical Systems• Connections• Breakers• Fuses

Air Leaks Become Visible!

• Fast location of air leaks and missing insulation

• Non-destructive• Easily document & report findings

to property owner

Three Modes of Heat Transfer

• Radiation is the transmission of electromagnetic rays through space • Each material that has a temperature above

absolute zero (-460°F) emits infrared radiation,

• Conduction is direct heat flow through matter • Fun fact: Notice how metal feels cold? It is not

– that is only the metal taking energy away from your hand and we perceive this as “cold”!

• Convection is the transport of heat within a gas or liquid• Cold air drops so A/C vents are high• Warm air rises so heating vents are on floor

Conduction & Convection Example

Outside heat conducted through siding

Convected inside empty wall cavity

Conducted through inside wall board

Convected into air conditioned room

Air Leaks

• Common causes:• Door & window gaps• Exterior wall electrical outlets• Recessed lights• Attic penetrations• Ducts / Vents

Image Courtesy of Structure Tech Home Inspections

Fluke IR-Fusion®

• Combines visual light and infrared together• Easy reference of problem location• More effective reporting

IR-Fusion Viewing Modes

Traditional Full IR Color AlarmPIP Full IR

Full VisualPIP BlendedBlended IR / Visual

*Not all viewing modes available on-board all models, all available in software

Air Leaks

• Locate exact leak point

Air Leaks

• The passage of air through the building envelope, wall, window, joint, etc.

• Improper air movement significantly reduces the integrity and performance of the envelope and is therefore a major contributor to energy consumption in a building as well as poor air quality

Air Leaks

• Poor construction• Leaks and penetrations around envelop:

• Chimneys• Plumbing vents• HVAC lines• Utility lines

• Leaks around window and doors• Poorly installed siding and wraps

• Damaged and misfit heat ducts

Construction Defects

Find common construction issues such as missing insulation, improper framing, concrete and masonry problems, etc.

These images are from a stucco home which had small outside leaks

Air Sealing

• Caulking• Spray Foam• Weather stripping• Validate repairs with IR

Insulation

• Common causes:• Missing• Settled• Wet• Insufficient

Conductive Losses

• Conductive Losses

• Missing, compressed or improperly installed insulation

• Shrinkage or settling of various insulating materials

• Excessive thermal bridging in joints between walls and tops or bottom plates

• Moisture damage to insulation and building materials

Conductive Losses cont.

• Conductive Losses

• Heat loss through multi-plane windows with a broken or improperly fitted seal

• Leaks in water pipes

• Damaged heat ducts

• Location of; or leaking in buried steam lines, water line or underground sprinklers

Energy Efficiency

• Efficiency reduction causes• Hot or cold air infiltration• Improper air flow (HVAC)• Insulation Voids

• Thermography can identify surface temperature variations that relate to problems

• Poor construction, missing or inadequate insulation, broken window seals, moisture intrusion and air leakage

• Here are images showing lack of proper insulation

Thermal Bypass

• ENERGY STAR® Thermal Bypass Checklist

• Common Areas of Concern:• Air and thermal barrier contact• Showers & tubs on exterior walls• Floors above garages• Knee walls• Attic access• Cantilevered floors• Soffits

Image Courtesy of Energy Services Group

Image Courtesy of Energy Services Group

Moisture

MOISTURE

• Implications:• Wet insulation does not perform• Insulation settles• Mold

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

Moisture

• Thermography helped plumbers find water leak in church heating system

HVAC - Air Conditioner Unit

Normal AppearanceSuction line (Black = Cold)and discharge line (White = Very hot) on an exterior A/C unit.

Abnormal AppearanceThe discharge line is not as hot and appears not as white and the suction line is only slightly cooler. Indicates A/C unit in need of charge or upon HVAC inspection after charge possible compressor blow by.

A/C Condenser in Ceiling

Condensation drain line in A/c condenser clogged causing water to drip from pan.

top of ceiling above bathtub

shower wall

condenser unit in ceiling above bathtub full of water

Compressor for in Store Freezing Units

Caused this problemProblems here!

Bridge Deck / In-Floor Heating

DOT in Oklahoma

Floor preparation for Mud jacking

Electrical Inspections

Easily find electrical problems at the panel or on mechanical equipment

Electrical Measurements

• Confirmation of Thermal images• Current startup current• Running current• Loading of Circuits

• Proper Operating Conditions• GFI tester• Outlet tester• AC Current/Voltage measurements• DC Current measurement for Solar system

Steam Traps

Determine valve on/off and leakage

Roof inspection

Wet spots under roof membrane

Roof inspection

• Patterns vary with:• Roof type• Insulation type• Deck• Conditions

• Non-absorbent insulation types are more difficult to inspect

It’s not just about energy loss!

• Excessive leakage can also cause condensation to form within and on walls which can create many problems:• Permanently damage insulation• Seriously degrade materials• Rot wood• Corrode metals • Stain brick, concrete or surfaces• Extreme cases will cause concrete to spall, bricks to separate,

mortar to crumble and sections of wall to fall• Corrode structural steal, re-bar and metal hangers and bolts

What You Need to Know

• How buildings work & how they are built• Heat transfer basics• Thermal imager operation• Many organizations developing standards

• RESNET & BPI

• Local training & certification requirements• ASNT SNT-TC-1A

Be aware: convection (wind) can effect temperature

85F 76F 72F

T = 13F

117F 95F 81F

No windT = 36F

Photo courtesy of Snell Infrared

• Wind can significantly reduce temperature of hot spot

• Rule of thumb• 10 mph can reduce T by up to 1/2• 15 mph can reduce T by up to 2/3

• Roof moisture inspection is very difficult in wind

Wind Effects

Conservation of Energy

• IR cameras detects infrared radiation from the target:• Radiation can be transmitted

through a surface• Our IR camera lens, for

example• Radiation can be reflected

off a surface (background radiation)• Similar to your reflection in

a mirror• Radiation can be absorbed

and re-emitted• This is what tells us the

surface temperature

Transmitted

Reflected

Absorbed & re-emitted

Reflected + Absorbed + Transmitted = 1

ORReflected + Emitted + Transmitted = 1

ORReflected + Emitted = 1

This is a key relationship

• Surfaces emit radiation differently, this is called emissivity • Pronunciation: "Em`is*siv"i*ty ”• Ability for absorbed heat energy to radiate (leave) an object as

compared to a device called a black body• A true black body radiates 100% of its absorbed energy (nothing

is reflected or transmitted) so the ε = 1 • Materials that are not black bodies only radiate a fraction of the

radiation so the ε is <1 and we have to account for reflected energy

• We have to “tell” our camera how much radiation is being “emitted” relative to “100%”

Putting it all together

Summary

• R+E=1• Emitters don’t make good

reflectors• Reflectors don’t make good

emitters

• Difficult to make accurate measurements on highly reflective surfaces• If emissivity is below 0.6

measurement is unreliable

Simple guidelines

• All objects of organic origin have emissivity of approx. 0.95• Soil, lime, stone, paper, textile• Non-metallic paint, plastic, rubber• Oil, grease, dust

• Apply tape or paint to increase emissivity

• Whenever possible, increase emissivity!

Emissivity of Target Surfaces

Aluminum, polished 0.05 Platinum 0.08

Brick 0.85 Rubber 0.95

Bronze, polished 0.10 Snow 0.80

Bronze, porous 0.55 Steel, galvanized 0.28

Copper, oxidized 0.65 Steel, rolled 0.24

Copper, oxidized to black 0.88 Steel, rough 0.96

Skin 0.98 Tin 0.05

Nickel 0.05 Tungsten 0.05

Paint 0.94 Water 0.98

Paint, silver finish 0.31 Zinc, sheet 0.20

Successful IR Audit

• Air Leaks – ASTM E-1186

• ΔT of 3°F for Air Leak Inspection

• Insulation – ASTM C-1060

• ΔT of 18°F for Insulation Inspection

• Solar Loading & Wind can mask problems• Focus!

Inspecting with IR

• Stabilize home, office and others• Turn HVAC off 10-15 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

Blower Door

How it works:• Creates pressure differential• Air flows through gaps and cracks • Determine Air Infiltration Rate• Reveals more during thermal inspection

Image Courtesy of Retrotec Energy Innovations, Ltd.

Range, Level and Span

• The RANGE represents the highest and lowest temperature value the camera is calibrated to measure

• The SPAN is the adjustable ”thermal window” you choose to view and consist of a “high” temp measurement and a “low” temperature measurement

• The LEVEL is the adjustable thermal window – how high or low is the window but it does not change the “window” size

• Saturation colors will be displayed when the temperature in the field of view is above or below the thermal window defined on the camera

Span = 30°FLevel =65°F

Level and Span

• Cameras can be set for “auto” or “manual” rescaling

• 5° for auto and 2.5 ° in manual is ideal

• Auto rescaling adjusts image to highest and lowest temp in FOV

• Taking advantage of the manual level and scale adjustment gives you better thermal resolution within the FOV

• A wider span gives less thermal detail

• A narrower span will give more thermal detail and give more contrast.

Image shown w/ a 10 ° span

Same image shown w/ a very narrow span

Building - “Level & Span”

Level and Span

keep span narrow and adjust level as needed

Auto Manual

Palette Selection

Amber

Grayscale Grayscale Inverted

Blue Red High Contrast

Hot Metal

Iron Bow

Amber Inverted

Best Focus Practices

• Look for edges• Use IR-Fusion• Hold imager still • Some people find

best results with the gray scale palette

Checking calibration

• Routinely check basic calibration before each scan.

• Here are a few simple test you can perform• Check the tear duct of a work

partner (recommend the same person)

• Check an ice bath to verify camera performance at 0º C

• Check boiling water to verify camera performance at 100º C

• Check a surface that you know its temperature

Focus is CRITICAL

• Focusing an IR imager is different than a visible camera• Visible detector array has far more

elements• Infrared images are naturally less sharp

• IR wavelengths are more than an order of magnitude longer

• visible light cameras measure reflected radiation not emitted; IR imagers must measure emitted radiation to determine temperature

• sharp edges can exist between a black line and a white line but sharp edges can not exist between a hot line and a cold line

• Best focus is critical for accurate temperature measurements

• Anything but focus can be modified/optimized later with PC software

Unfocused Image

Focused Image

Summary

• Thermal Imaging

• Reduces time needed to locate problem areas

• Powerful tool to illustrate impact of air infiltration and missing insulation

• Provides documentation of problems both before and after corrective action

Choosing the Right One!

TiR – TiR1 TiR2FT – TiR3FT – TiR4FT

TiR & TiR1

TiR TiR1

Temp Range 212 F 212 F

NETD 100mK 70mk

Viewing Modes PIP or Full IRPIP, Full IR,

Blending

Emissivity

Voice Annotation N/A

Hot/Cold Cursor

US List Price $4,495 $6,995

• 3.5” Widescreen Display

• Single-Handed Operation

• Drop Tested from 6.5 FT

• 160x120 Resolution

Flexcam Series

• On-Board:• Emissivity Correction & All IR-Fusion Viewing Modes

• Features:• Articulating Lens, Interchangeable Lenses & Batteries,

Laser & Torch, Large 5” LCD

TiR2FT TiR3FT TiR4FT

Temp Range

212 F 212 F 212 F

NETD 70mK 70mK 50mK

Text Annotation

Resolution 160x120 320x240 320x240

• Create professional reports

• SmartView software is included at no additional charge, with no license agreement and no costly upgrades

• Imager stores ALL raw temperature data

• You can optimize everything besides focus in the software afterwards

SmartView® Software

SmartView Tour

Modify:- Temperature range, color palette, emissivity, background temperature, IR-Fusion blending, and add markers and text annotations

- Export Images & Temp Data to Word / Excel

Sample SmartView Report

For More Information…

• Schedule a demo or test drive

• View product specific webinars

• Product Selection Tool on Fluke website

Email us at: thermography@fluke.com

Call us at: 800.760.4523

• Fluke Thermal Imaging Training Center on Fluke.com• Hands-On Seminars

The Snell Group:• Online Training

• Pre-Recorded Webinars from $39 to $79

• Level 1, 2 & 3 Thermography Training• Application Specific Training

www.fluke.com/titraining

Additional Training

Thank You!

Don Cacioppo

Fluke Corporation