© Paul’s Home Inspection Service, LLC., LHI #10813 All Rights Reserved
Thermography - also known as thermal imaging or infrared imaging -
What it is and is not -
It is specialized equipment used to measure temperature anomalies.
By measuring these variances in temperatures, possible hidden trouble areas
are exposed that are normally invisible to the naked eye. A wide variety of
manufactures, labs, hospitals, etc. use thermography to trouble shoot an area
of concern, it is used along with maintenance schedules in preventing major
shut-downs of production lines, fire hazards, health hazards and a score of
other benefits. Including money that is saved by preventing and averting
major problems.
It is also used by Military, Law Enforcement, First Responders -
but that is another topic of use.
The use of Thermal Imaging from the stand point of a Home Inspection is to help emphasize the importance
of proper sealing around windows and doors by showing air infiltration or air leaks.
This is Not or intended to be an Energy Audit. Nor do I perform energy audits.
Primarily I use this tool to show the client of overheating of electrical outlets and switches as well as the
breakers at the service panel if evident at time of inspection. It can be used to show and or confirm
insulation installation in wall / ceiling applications. Thermal Imaging is also a great tool to use to find or
verify wet areas where water has leaked in or in broken plumbing (this is still limited). Thermal Imaging
does not find water leaks. It only shows temperature differences of surface areas.
Service Panels / Breakers: It is important to understand that breakers have a certain amount of load bearing
and temperature operation. Example; if a breaker is operating at 50% load or less and operating temperature
is reaching its maximum or above - then there is a potential problem that needs to be further looked into.
Suspicious wet / leaking: A dry surface will have a different temperature than that of a wet or damp area. If I
am scanning an area that may indicate a moisture issue, then an additional tool is incorporated, it is a
Moisture Meter. Using both tools together is the best way to determine if there is a problem aside from basic
visual. And sometimes just a visual can be misleading or not detected at all. As with a “normal” home
inspection, Thermal Imaging is still limited, using Thermal Imaging only enhances the inspection by
providing more detail and to confirm a suspect area as a potential problem or not.
There are those that will discredit the use of Thermal Imaging for various reasons, mainly because it is
misunderstood. It is not a widely used technology in the Home Inspection field. Just like at one time Digital
Photographs were widely frowned upon.I can only speculate the reasons, but personally I think it helps
keeps honest people honest, helps educate, inform and remind the client of a problem area and helps keep
less than honest interests at a distance.
And today, most people put a high value on the use and presentation of digital photography as an addition to
the Home Inspection and reporting.
I can see how advances in Thermal Imaging can and will be a valuable tool for the Home Inspector and that
Realtor’s, Home Buyers, and Sellers will see the benefits of such technology.
Notice: Disclaimer
This is not an Energy Audit and is not to be considered, intended, implied, inferred, or represented as such.
There are other companies that do Energy Audits.
Offering what many don’t
My main focus is at Electrical Panels (service panels), then if the need warrants it I will check switches and
outlets. There is no charge for this added service if I initiate it. If it is requested then there is a charge. This
process is time consuming and requires various adjustments to acquire accurate and consise readings.
Caution ! Don’t be fooled or misled
Thermal Imaging is NOT a Moisture Meter, it simply identifies thermal anomalies and aids in further
inspection of the area(s) in question.
It is NOT X-RAY vision, you can not see through walls etc. Again it identifies thermal differences at or
very near surfaces.
It is NOT that Silver Bullet solution, but when used properly and or in conjunction with other diagnostic
tools and technologies, thermal imaging has helped to identify issues that are rarely found if ever during the
limited visual home inspection until it’s too late and damage is too obvious. Which simply means it will
more than likely cost more money to repair.