Building Envelopes
It cannot be denied that the US is in the grips of an energy crisis that is threatening to undermine the economy and the only immediate solution is to limit energy demand. One way of doing this is through energy efficiency interventions in the building environment.
Diagnostics in residential and commercial buildings involves identifying and troubleshooting anomalies throughout the building, which can affect overall performance. A number of separate yet inter-related conditions should be checked on a regular basis to identify potential problems in the way the building or its systems are operating.
A wide range of performance issues directly related to the building tightness, the quality of insulation, indoor air quality, and the effectiveness of ventilation systems can be quickly and accurately revealed with the right diagnostics tools. Infrared thermography is a primary diagnostic procedure that can be used to determine the thermal performance of a building envelope. IR can be used to identify heating and cooling loss owing to poor construction, missing or inadequate insulation and/or moisture intrusion. Correcting these defects can play a significant role in increasing building efficiency, structural integrity and protecting the health of the occupants.
The collected data can be used to quickly locate and accurately diagnose existing or potential problems, which can jeopardize not only building performance and the comfort of its occupants, but also compliance with building, health and safety regulations.
There are a number of steps to be taken to ensure improved performance:
Locate Moisture Intrusion:
Moisture intrudes through joints and cracks in roofs, ceilings and walls, and is trapped, resulting in structural rot and mold. Regular inspections with a thermal imager, inside and outside of structures, quickly locate areas of accumulated moisture.
Monitor Heat Loss:
Inspect the quality of insulation inside the building, as well as numerous other areas where heat loss can occur, such as cracks or breaks in building seals. Temperature scans inside and outside of structures – along ceilings, floors, walls, windows, doors, vents and pipes – immediately show problem areas. Use a thermal imager with a blower door to quickly locate sources of heat loss, such as insufficient insulation or broken seals, leaking HVAC ductwork or improper construction techniques
The image on the left shows a standard un-insulated attic pull-down stair. Attic temp 146° F, inside air temp 76° F and outside air temp 96° F.
The image to the right shows an un- insulated wood 4 panel door with decorative lights. Outside air temp 96° F, inside air temp 76° F.
Notice the difference to the door in the image above? Wood alone is not a good insulator.
Replacing inefficient wood doors with insulated fiberglass or metal doors is a good investment. With energy prices out of sight, replacement costs can be recovered quickly.
Examine furnaces and boilers:
A variety of measurements can be made to inspect the performance of the heating system and identify repairs that need to be made. Perform a scan of the furnace or boiler exterior with a thermal imager to check the inside insulation – hot spots indicate a need for repair.
Verify HVAC System Performance:
For greater efficiency and extended equipment life, verify the proper operation of building HVAC systems. Use a thermal imager to locate hot spots on operational components, which indicate pending mechanical or electrical system failure.
Whether at an industrial plant, in a commercial office, or residential home, frequent inspections of the building envelope and the environmental conditions inside are important for maintaining healthy and efficient buildings.