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D-I-Y home energy audit using IR camera bubbabubbs 01-29-2007
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Posted by on January 29, 2007, 7:34 pm


Looking for some feedback on using an infrared (IR) camera for a d-i-y
home energy audit. I'm thinking of taking some thermal pics of the
house to identify major problem areas (poorly insulated doors,
windows, attic, etc.) Kinda like <http://www.predictive-
maintenance.com/energy.html>

Has anyone done something like that before, and could offer helpful
tips?

Also, looking for suggestions on an affordable, yet decent (still
picture) IR camera for this kind of application; best place to buy
one?

I realize that even a simple such IR camera would cost more than an
energy audit done by my local utility. But I guess it'd be fun to d-i-
y, be able to take some before and after pics, etc :)

Cheers


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Posted by Bob F on January 29, 2007, 7:37 pm



> Looking for some feedback on using an infrared (IR) camera for a d-i-y
> home energy audit. I'm thinking of taking some thermal pics of the
> house to identify major problem areas (poorly insulated doors,
> windows, attic, etc.) Kinda like <http://www.predictive-
> maintenance.com/energy.html>
>
> Has anyone done something like that before, and could offer helpful
> tips?
>
> Also, looking for suggestions on an affordable, yet decent (still
> picture) IR camera for this kind of application; best place to buy
> one?
>
> I realize that even a simple such IR camera would cost more than an
> energy audit done by my local utility. But I guess it'd be fun to d-i-
> y, be able to take some before and after pics, etc :)
>

Can you still buy infrared film for regular cameras?

Bob



Posted by on January 29, 2007, 10:36 pm


bobnospam@gmail.com says...
>
> > I realize that even a simple such IR camera would cost more than an
> > energy audit done by my local utility. But I guess it'd be fun to d-i-
> > y, be able to take some before and after pics, etc :)
> >
>
> Can you still buy infrared film for regular cameras?

Neither IR film nor common IR-sensitive digital cameras will work for an
energy audit. IR photography is generally near-IR, wavelengths less
than 1000nm. You'll need much longer-wavelength IR to see the
temperature ranges for an energy audit. That typically uses a
supercooled sensor, very specialized equipment.

--
josh@phred.org is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Updated Infrared Photography Books List:
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/photo/irbooks.html>

Posted by m Ransley on January 30, 2007, 10:23 am


Forget DIY unless you want to spend 1-3000 for a used unit. Film IR and
digital cameras are sensitive near 700-800nm, to identify heat the range
starts near 12x of what consumer products do. I have experimented for
fun and yes IR in the 7-800nm range is done with modern consumer
digital, but you wont get any results for what you want. Get an audit,
and a blower door test. If consumer products could do it there would not
be much of a market for 1-$10,000 Thermal Imaging units. ebay has used
stuff.


Posted by mm on January 30, 2007, 10:49 am



>bobnospam@gmail.com says...
>>
>> > I realize that even a simple such IR camera would cost more than an
>> > energy audit done by my local utility. But I guess it'd be fun to d-i-
>> > y, be able to take some before and after pics, etc :)
>> >
>>
>> Can you still buy infrared film for regular cameras?
>
>Neither IR film nor common IR-sensitive digital cameras will work for an
>energy audit. IR photography is generally near-IR, wavelengths less
>than 1000nm. You'll need much longer-wavelength IR to see the
>temperature ranges for an energy audit. That typically uses a
>supercooled sensor, very specialized equipment.

What about a non-contact thermometer? It wouldn't do a whole side of
the house at one time, but could it be pointed at the edges of doors,
windows, etc. to find heat leaks?

I havent' had time to test for this yet.

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