Thermographic surveys help guide contractors upgrading the thermal efficiencies of existing buildings. Source: Fluke Corporation
The old saying is that "A picture is worth 1,000 words," but a picture plus quantitative measurements can be worth far more. A case in point: thermographic surveys of residential and commercial buildings.
Thermography is the science of remotely sensing the temperatures of objects by mapping their infrared emissions to provide a qualitative image showing hot- and cool-spots on surfaces visible in the image along with highly accurate quantitative temperature readings of selected spots.
Contractors can use this information to quickly find energy leaks in existing buildings and then determine the amount and type of insulation best suited to close them up. For example, it makes no sense to pack extra insulation into a home's attic, if most of the heating and cooling losses go through the walls. Similarly, adding more and more insulation in the walls would reach a point of diminishing returns if the windows became the dominant loss. Better to put just enough insulation into the walls and then concentrate on upgrading the windows.
Such surveys are appropriate to help planning remodeling projects and to verify energy efficiency of new construction projects. Just having thermal imaging equipment, however, does no good unless contractors know how to use and interpret it. Teaching those skills is the job of engineering technology programs at two- and four-year colleges.
Through the Fluke Weatherization Grant Program, instructors in accredited programs in building science, weatherization, energy conservation, home inspection and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) can apply for grants of Fluke IR-InSIGHT thermal imagers to use in teaching. Fluke Corporation is donating the equipment to schools and training programs for use in teaching students to perform weatherization work and home inspections.
Instructors have just weeks to apply for $100,000 worth of infrared thermal imagers from Fluke Corporation. Twenty programs will be selected to receive one thermal imager kit including software, two rechargeable batteries, charger, operation manual and USB adapter. Complete guidelines and an application form are available at the Fluke Weatherization Solution Center. Deadline for applications is September 14, 2009. Fluke will announce the winners in September 2009.
For more information on the Fluke Weatherization Program, visit the Fluke Weatherization Solution Center, or contact Fluke Corporation, P.O. Box 9090, Everett, WA USA 98206, call (800) 44-FLUKE (800-443-5853), fax (425) 446-5116, or e-mail fluke-info@fluke.com.
I admit, I have not been on this webpage in a long time... however it was another joy to see It is such an important topic and ignored by so many, even professionals. I thank you to help making people more aware of possible issues.Great stuff as usual
Interesting , how would I use this?
outstanding post! great advice, will take on board!
Glad to see that this site works well on my Google phone , everything I want to do is functional. Thanks for keeping it up to date with the latest.
I like the first point you made there, but I am not sure I could pratcially apply that in a contructive way.
@chels I know what you mean, its hard to find good help these days. People now days just don't have the work ethic they used to have. I mean consider whoever wrote this post, they must have been working hard to write that good and it took a good bit of their time I am sure. I work with people who couldn't write like this if they tried, and getting them to try is hard enough as it is.
@chels I know what you mean, its hard to find good help these days. People now days just don't have the work ethic they used to have. I mean consider whoever wrote this post, they must have been working hard to write that good and it took a good bit of their time I am sure. I work with people who couldn't write like this if they tried, and getting them to try is hard enough as it is.
Thanks!
These tips are so true
@Marco I know what your mean. In todays economy its difficult to find a job that pays good and is stable . I have discovered that if you just work hard and are consistent you can succeed. Look at the poster of this article, they are oviously hard working and have just been consistent over time and are now enjoying at least what would appear as somewhat of a success. I would encourage everyone to just keep hustling and moving forward.
Interesting, I wonder what the statistics are on your first point there...