With the popularization of the concept of energy saving and environmental protection, energy saving has become the goal of all walks of life, and the construction industry is no exception. Building energy efficiency management has become a mandatory indicator in many countries and has had a significant impact on many professionals working in the field of construction. How to reduce the energy loss of buildings has become an urgent problem to be solved in the construction field. Infrared thermal imaging cameras can accurately locate the specific location of energy loss, and can judge the energy loss of buildings without using any destructive detection methods. It is an ideal tool for construction diagnosis. Let's take a look at the applications of thermal imaging cameras in the construction industry.

1. Detection of thermal insulation defects

Typical thicknesses of insulation vary from country to country. In countries with cold climates, the insulation is usually thicker. In countries with temperate climates, insulation is thin or not used at all. On the other hand, in warm climates, indoor spaces need to be cooled, which also requires thicker insulation to prevent energy loss. A minimum temperature difference of 10°C between exterior and interior walls is required to obtain a good, easy-to-view image when using an infrared camera. With a thermal imager with higher resolution and thermal sensitivity, the temperature difference requirement will be smaller.

2. Detect gas leaks

It is a common practice to find gas leaks through the perimeter of a building. Gas leaks lead to higher energy losses, often cause problems with ventilation systems, and cause condensation in buildings, which can worsen the indoor climate. However, with thermal imaging cameras, it is possible to detect the typical phenomenon of cold air escaping from a leak in a building.

3. Moisture detection

Moisture is the most common form of home damage. Gas leaks can form condensation in walls, floors or ceilings, and damp insulation takes a long time to dry and is often a prime location for mold and fungus to grow. Scanning with a thermal imaging camera can detect the exact location of moisture that causes mold to grow, pinpointing the location of inherently wet areas.

4. Detection of thermal bridges

Thermal bridges are areas with less insulation due to building structures; such as metal fasteners, concrete beams, slabs or columns. Heat will find the most convenient path (the path of least resistance) to escape from the warmer space. Many times, heat is "shorted" through an element that has a higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding material, known as a thermal bridge. Thermal bridges can be clearly detected by thermal imaging cameras.

5. Heating pipes and district heating

In areas with cold climates, the pavement and access roads are heated. District heating is also common, a heating system that produces heat at a central point for residential and commercial heating needs. Thermal imaging measurements can easily detect any faults in the underground heating system. Even if the ground is covered with ice and snow, the heating lines can be seen with an infrared camera.

6. Found a roof leak

Huge savings can be achieved when wet areas of the roof can be repaired without replacing the entire roof. By using the sun as a heater, a thermal imaging camera can find damp insulation on the roof. During the day, the sun heats the roof. During the night, the roof cools again, but more slowly in areas with damp insulation. This area is clearly visible on the infrared image and is warmer than other areas.

7. Electrical failure

Electrical faults are one of the most common faults in buildings. Most of the time, these electrical problems are invisible to the naked eye, but hot spots are immediately visible on the infrared image using a thermal imaging camera. Users can scan electrical cabinets, components, and detect a large number of wires and connectors to immediately identify problems. Detect and fix problem areas before they actually occur!

8. Detect floor heating leaks

Thermal imaging cameras are an easy-to-use tool for spotting leaks in pipes, even if they are laid under floors or plaster. The heat of the pipe is radiated out through the surface of the pipe, and the thermal image can be easily detected with an infrared camera.

9. Smell

Thermal imaging cameras can help spot leaks between houses. Leaks between houses lead to poor sound insulation and problems with infiltration of cigarettes and other odors. Leaks are easily detected by using negative pressure and temperature differentials.

10. Cold storage

Cold storage and cold rooms have high requirements for thermal insulation and sealing. The normal indoor temperature of cold storage is -23°C to -25°C. Insulation failures and leaks can lead to condensation and ice formation within the building structure, resulting in greater energy consumption - and ice can eventually destroy the building structure; thermal imaging cameras can easily detect whether the insulation failure of cold storage .

11. Reconstruction plan and quality assurance

Infrared technology is used in reconstruction planning, as well as in quality assurance and inspection of new buildings. During the drying of the building structure, the infrared image can determine the progress of the drying procedure so that necessary measures can be taken to speed up the drying process. If the drying process can be accelerated, and with the help of thermal imaging cameras it can be demonstrated that the building structure is completely dry, the building can be delivered to the customer faster.

12. Building Restoration

Infrared thermal imaging provides valuable information during the restoration of buildings and monuments. Frame structures hidden in mineral plaster are clearly visible in infrared images. Therefore, it can be determined whether the exposure of these structures is useful. Gypsum separation on walls can also be carried out as early as possible so that maintenance measures can be taken.