Thermal Imaging and its use within Home Energy Audits and EPCs

Quite simply, Thermal Imaging is the perfect partner to any EPC survey or Home Energy Audit. One of the limitations of the EPC as a stand alone tool for assessing thermal efficiency lies in it being limited solely to what the assessors naked eye can see. The EPC is a non-invasive survey so therefore it’s often challenging for the assessor to make judgements on things with often very little information to base things on. This where Thermography comes into its own, by giving us an insight into things that would otherwise be invisible, this information coupled with our own knowledge and experience can allow us to add a depth to our surveys unmatched by our competitors.

So what exactly is Thermography?

Thermography, also known as infrared thermography, is a non-invasive technique that uses thermal imaging cameras to produce images of the heat patterns emitted by objects. This allows us to identify areas of high and low heat energy within a building, which can be indicative of energy inefficiencies.

We’ve found using thermography to be extremely useful in our Home Energy Audits and for providing additional information to our clients who want an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) but who also are looking for more in depth advice and recommendations for potential improvements.

By adding thermography to an EPC we can provide a more comprehensive analysis of the building's energy performance and make more accurate recommendations for improvements. 

It is a valuable tool for detecting issues that may not be visible to the naked eye and can save time and money by identifying problems before they become more serious.

During a Home Energy Audit we use the thermal imaging camera to scan the exterior and interior of the building, looking for areas where heat is being lost or where insulation may be insufficient. By identifying these areas, we can recommend changes or repairs that will improve the energy efficiency of the home, potentially saving the homeowner money on their energy bills and making their property more comfortable to live in.

Like anything though, Thermography has it’s limitations and homeowners must be realistic about what it can, and just as importantly, can’t do. Thermography is simply identifying to us differences in temperature in an area and then we are using our skill to determine the most likely cause of those temperature differences and be able to bring those to our clients attention.

What many people think Thermography is though is some form of Xray where can see through walls and all those kind of things, which it isn’t, although that would undoubtedly be great to have! Here are a few of the main limitations of thermograph which we need to be keeping in mind when we are conducting thermal imagining of property.

1. Weather conditions: Thermography relies on detecting differences in temperature, so it can be difficult to accurately interpret the images if there are large temperature variations in the surrounding environment. For example, if it is a hot day outside and there is no shade on the building being scanned, the thermal imaging camera may pick up heat emanating from the sun rather than the building itself.  Ideally thermography should be done either early in the morning or late in the day when the sun has set but often this is impractical due to homeowners availability and schedules. Rain and wind can also affect thermography so we take all these factors into account when booking surveys and when on site.

2.  Reflective surfaces: Reflective surfaces, such as glass or metal, can interfere with the accuracy of thermal imaging cameras. These surfaces can reflect heat energy, which can make it difficult to accurately interpret the images.

3.  Emissivity: The emissivity of an object refers to its ability to emit thermal energy. Different materials have different emissivity levels, which can affect the accuracy of thermal imaging cameras. For example, some materials may absorb heat energy, while others may reflect it.

4.  Distance: The distance between the thermal imaging camera and the object being scanned can also affect the accuracy of the images. The further away the camera is, the more difficult it may be to accurately interpret the images.

Despite these limitations which we always keep in mind and actively try to reduce, thermography is a hugely valuable tool for identifying and addressing energy inefficiencies and other issues. When used correctly, it can provide valuable insights and help us to give informed recommendations for improvement.

Interpreting thermal images requires specialized training and expertise, as thermal images can be difficult to understand for those who are not familiar with how to read them. Here are a few key factors that we consider when interpreting thermal images:

1.  Temperature variations: We look for areas of high and low heat energy in the images, as these can indicate energy inefficiencies. For example, if a wall appears cool in the thermal image, it may indicate that there is insufficient insulation in that area.

2.  Patterns: We look for patterns in the thermal images, such as clusters of hot or cold spots, or areas where the heat energy is distributed evenly. We use the images to identify draughts, many of which aren’t immediately obvious by feel. These leaks in the building envelope can not only increase heating bills significantly but also vastly affect the comfort of those in the property.

3.  Color scale: Thermal imaging cameras use a color scale to indicate the temperature of different objects in the image. We use this color scale to identify objects that are hotter or cooler than their surroundings, as this can indicate energy inefficiencies or structural issues.

4.  Comparison to baseline: We often compare thermal images to a baseline image, which is an image of the same area taken under normal conditions. This can help identify changes in the heat patterns over time and can be particularly useful for identifying issues that may not be immediately apparent.

So hopefully you can see the huge potential and benefits that Thermal Imaging brings to Home Energy Audits and EPCs. Being able to easily identify important issues such as inadequate or missing insulation, areas of thermal bridging, cold spots, draughts and many many more issues. Thermal Imaging gives us an ability to see these otherwise invisible issues which in turn allows you to have a warmer, more comfortable and cheaper house to run.

If you’d like to take book either a Home Energy Audit with Thermal Imaging or Thermal Imaging alongside your EPC survey then we’d love to hear from you. NN Home Energy Surveys are based in Northampton and we cover all of Northamptonshire plus Milton Keynes and all surrounding towns and villages. To book an appointment please use our ‘contact us’ form or call us on 07851 957628. If you prefer whatsaspp or messenger then there’s chat functions available for you to use that way too.