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Posted by Pete C. on January 30, 2007, 12:38 pm
trader4@optonline.net wrote:
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> >
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> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> > >> >> 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
> >
> > >> > There was a rather involved discussion about this here, about a
> > >> > year ago. Do a google search and you should find some interesting
> > >> > info. The consensus seemed to be "forget about it - it won't
> > >> > work".Yes,the thermal cameras used for energy audits and police
> > >> > airborne video
> > >> respond to long-wave IR(10-12uM),not the near-IR stuff that film and
> > >> video cameras respond to.(~1uM)
> >
> > >> --
> > >> Jim Yanik
> > >> jyanik
> > >> at
> > >> kua.net
> >
> > > Do you know anything about digital cameras & IR response?
> > > TBa little. Many digital cameras have a filter to limit their IR
> > response.(makes for a sharper image in daylight)
> > the unfiltered IR response usually rolls off above (longer than)1100 nM.
> > You can check TV remote controls using them,or IR LEDs.
> >
> > To get the "thermal" IR response (like body heat)either requires cooling
> > the sensor and/or a different type of sensor(non silicon),or a bolometer
> > array.
> > That's a microetched antenna array tuned to certain long IR
> > wavelengths.Texas Instruments makes them for use in low cost thermal camera
> > systems,often used by firefighters to see through smoke.They've come out
> > with handheld versions that cost around $1000,where thermal camera systems
> > usually cost $50K or more.
> >
> > --
> > Jim Yanik
> > jyanik
> > at
> > kua.net- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -
>
> I see the home inspectors on TV going around with a handheld thermal
> imaging widget that shows on a color screen the relative heat levels
> of areas like walls, floors and ceilings. They usually are using it
> to find hidden wet areas, which appear as a colder temp area. Don't
> know what they cost or where you'd buy one, but it looks like they
> work.
Prices and size have come down a lot in recent years. Used to need a
hand truck of gear and a thermos of liquid nitrogen and now it's just a
handheld camera. Fluke has a line of IR imagers as do others. Not sure
on the pricing, but I know there are IR imagers available for a few $k.
Still not economical for just a DIY home energy audit, but within normal
overkill range.
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