Advantages of Using Infrared Leak Detection Survey Locating High Thermal Loss
Posted by Avin Gidwani on October 29th, 2015
It’s true what they say: leaks you can’t see may be costing you. This is why prudent homeowners and builders always use infrared leak detection surveys. Hidden leaks in your home that remain undetected can threaten your property’s value and make your utility and repaid bills skyrocket. An infrared leak detection company can come to your home and pinpoint areas of high thermal loss.
How Does It Work?
Infrared leak detection is a revolutionary technology in building diagnostics. This non-invasive method of building monitoring and diagnosis allows instant detection of sources of high thermal loss with minimal disturbance and very little (or zero) physical disassembly.
Leak detection and energy auditors use infrared scanning (thermography) to see thermal defects as well as air leakages. Thermography works by measuring surface temperatures via infrared still and video cameras that ‘see’ light in the heat spectrum. The resulting images record temperature variations; white indicates warmer regions and black indicates cooler areas. These images determine where problem areas are.
Infrared technology is particularly important in pinpointing high thermal loss areas that may indicate wet insulation caused by service pipe leaks. It can provide real time, valuable data on the buried heat distribution system’s condition.
What Can You Expect?
During a typical infrared leak detection survey, the company will primarily detect water leaks and plumbing blockages and their origin (walls, roof, flooring). Electrical hot spots and potential fire hazards, rodent and pest nests, and any problematic moisture that moisture meters cannot be physically reach may also be searched for. You can likewise expect the detection company to check your home’s overall energy efficiency and diagnose any problems caused by cooling and heating loss through walls, insulation, and windows. Some companies also can likewise pinpoint HVAC problem areas and look for ill-fitting, disconnected, or loose fittings. The results are documented into a report that you can use for insurance and repair verification purposes.
Benefits of a Survey
A non-evasive infrared leak detection survey can help make your property energy efficient, thereby saving you a lot of money in the long run. The results can be used to plan your maintenance schedule and budget. More importantly, it helps you make the most effective repair decisions by showing you exactly where the problem lies. The detailed reports are extremely useful for deciding whether to replace or repair certain components of the system.
About the Author
Perma-Pipe Inc. is well known largest manufacturer of pre-insulated piping systems for District Heating and Cooling in North America, and a Global Leader of Piping equipments. They provide services for District Heating and Cooling, Oil and Gas and leak detection systems. Visit their website to get more details.
