Infrared Thermography

Thermal imaging & infrared thermography involve examination of a property for the following:

Building insulation is the most significant factor in deterring/retaining heat to reduce the energy consumption required to heat or cool a building, while maintaining a comfortable internal temperature. Heating costs in the winter and cooling costs in the summer can be drastically reduced, provided that the necessary insulation improvements are made. This is especially true in older buildings. Until recently, Ontario and the federal government have offered a new rebate program to encourage such thermal improvements.

Ben Engineering offers thermal imaging services that enable us to accurately identify any vulnerable areas inside a building envelope, and recommend the most cost-efficient thermal improvements for any mitigating heat leakage. Thermal mapping of the building envelope includes the external walls, windows, external doors, and roofs.

What is Infrared Thermography?

Infrared Thermography is the process of determining the relative temperature between objects by detecting radiation from objects in the infrared range of the spectrum, which is invisible to the human eye. The electromagnetic frequency of the radiation from the different elements seen in the image varies according to their temperature, which infrared thermography equipment interprets as different colours in the thermal image. This creates a visible image of the variation in temperature, regardless of the background light. Warmer objects are highly noticeable compared to cooler objects and background.

Using this technology in building science allows infrared thermography engineers to scan the building and examine the building envelope, including the elevation, roof and windows. By visualizing and measuring the temperature of different surfaces and the relative temperature from one object to another, the inspector can easily and accurately determine the areas where insulation is insufficient, water penetration problems prevail, and where there is air leakage through the building envelope.

The process itself is very cost efficient, not only for large buildings but also for residential homes. Local insulation improvement will reduce the heat lost during the winter and prevent the heat from getting into the building in the summer. The larger the building, the greater the savings will be. The cost of the inspection becomes negligible.

What is Infrared Thermal Imaging?

Infrared Thermal Imaging is a visual display of the amount of heat radiated from the different surfaces (or in other words the amount of infrared energy emitted), reflected or transmitted by objects. The thermal imaging camera is the most popular equipment for visual analysis and distinguishes between the electromagnetic energy radiated from objects within the infrared spectrum. The infrared spectrum is invisible to the human eye; however, the thermal imaging camera shifts this spectrum to a range that is visible to humans. This allows us to see and measure the temperature of the different surfaces.

Using thermal imaging technology in buildings and equipment allows us accurately to assess and locate insulation problems in the building. Such problems could include a lack of insulation in the building envelope, water penetration sources, water leakage sources, overheated electrical equipment, air leakage, or much more.

The building thermography process gives us the ability to identify locations and sources of the energy loss. Such sources can include missing or defective insulation, moisture penetration, air leaks, and thermal bridging.

The data collected by the thermal imaging camera also include other parameters that help the inspector obtain more accurate results. The Infrared Thermal Imaging Report provides you with comprehensive information about your building, detailed information about any insulation problems, and suggestions for mitigation. The report is prepared by a Professional Engineer.

Toronto Head Office

British Columbia

Infrared Thermography

Contact Us

Service Areas

Toronto Head Office

Ottawa Office

Vancouver Office

Quick links