Thermal Imaging Surveys

We are a thermal imaging survey specialist. With one of the only PCN Category 3 Civil Thermographers surveying in the field, we can work with you on any project, regardless of size or scope.

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Why Thermal Surveys?

A thermal survey for any building type, whether residential or commercial, can provide a large number of benefits.

By utilising a state of the art thermal imaging camera, it is possible to detect and identify a number of anomalies within your building which are normally not visible to the naked eye e.g. heat loss, air leakage, defective insulation and cold bridging.

Thermographic measurements taken by the thermal imaging camera will record temperature variations of the building’s envelope, with the resulting images helping our engineers to determine where remedial works may be required . They can also operate as a quality control tool, ensuring that insulation has been installed correctly.

It’s not uncommon for buildings to suffer from heat loss, water infiltration, cold bridging, or inadequate insulation. Recognising these anomalies before it is too late will assist you in maintaining your property, saving money, and reducing your carbon impact, among other benefits.

When conducting a Thermal Survey on your building, we can identify any areas where energy loss is taking place.

The use of thermal imaging can help to decrease the need for potentially expensive and invasive construction work on a building.

To highlight the effects of leakage on insulation, insulation.org found that when compared to dry insulation, wet insulation can result in a tenfold increase in heat loss.

Thermographic Inspections

A thermographic inspection can be carried out either internally, externally or using a combination of both methods. Depending on the weather conditions and access, our thermal surveyor will determine which strategy will produce the best results.

Interior scans can often highlight issues that are not uncovered on an external only survey, such as with thermal bypass and “open loop” convection (Mass transport of air through gaps in the structure).

It is possible that an anomaly recorded in one part of an internal wall is due to an issue occurring in another area of the outside wall, and vice versa. Additionally, during windy conditions, it is more difficult to detect temperature variations on the outside surface of the structure. As a result of this challenge, interior thermal surveys are often more accurate than exterior thermal surveys because of the reduced effect of atmospheric conditions.

We undertake a comprehensive approach in our thermal imaging inspections. If necessary, we can use drone or UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) Thermal cameras to inspect harder to reach areas of the building. Our evaluation can include any elevations, roofs, or windows – with any and all abnormalities found highlighted

Afterwards, the thermal images (RJpegs) are processed and evaluated by our Thermographers to enable the detection of any vulnerabilities in your building’s structure. The images are then included in a report in a way which makes them understandable to the “untrained” eye.

Through a thermographic inspection, you can receive a unique look at your building that you have never seen before, highlighting areas which are not visible to the naked eye.

Who Can Benefit From Receiving A Thermographic Inspection And Survey?

At Build IR we advocate a thermal survey to anyone who pays for energy and thinks they are paying more than they should.

Today people are more aware than ever that the earth has a finite number of resources and they shouldn’t be wasted needlessly – by conducting a thermal survey it’s possible to identify issues which are squandering these resources.

Thermal imaging cameras have already helped save millions by highlighting and helping surveyors address energy wastage across the globe.

A specific breakdown of property owners who can benefit from thermal imaging surveys include:

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Residential Homeowners:

An assessment of your home may help you quickly and easily discover areas which are costing you money – this can be through gas or electricity costs which are compensating for lost heat. Repairing any problems which have been detected can save hundreds of pounds each year. Other concerns such as water leak issues may develop into greater problems if not addressed and fixed at the earliest possible time.

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Facility Managers:

Whether you manage a large or small property, heat loss can be a significant financial burden for you and your tenants. Tenants will be happier as a result of your assistance in identifying and repairing problems in their building, and your carbon footprint will be reduced.

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Housing Associations and Boards:

A comprehensive Drone Site Survey (DSS) can help pinpoint areas of heat loss within housing stock, no matter how many.

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Commercial developers:

By carrying out a thermographic inspection as the project completes you can confirm the buildings thermal performance and identify any areas of defect prior to handing the building over to the client.

Build IR are able to cover a larger area of your property portfolio in a smaller timeframe. Reduced heat loss, as well as the ability to identify properties that have concerns, allows you to be proactive rather than reactive in your approach.

Commercial or Residential – Book Your Thermal Survey Today

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What Are The Advantages Of Having A Thermal Imaging Analysis Performed On My Property?

One of our certified thermal imaging professionals will conduct a non-invasive Thermographic Inspection of your building, which will aid in the reduction of your carbon emissions and energy expenditure.

A thermal analysis of your building will not only allow us to discover issues with the structure of the building itself, such as thermal bridging and water infiltration, but it will also reveal elements that will assist you in achieving a higher level of thermal comfort.

What Are The Advantages Of Conducting A Thermal Roof Survey?

Thermal surveys can be performed on most type of roof, and the results can be beneficial to every customer. We can rapidly identify regions of weakness and water penetration, regardless of whether the surface is flat, sloped or insulated.

One of the most advantageous aspects of our thermal assessments is their non-invasive nature – not necessitating the use of scaffolding or working at height.

Roofs should be inspected on a frequent basis as they protect important items underneath them, and if your roof is covered by a guarantee, it is likely that getting your roof inspected on a regular basis is part of the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Some of the advantages of conducting a thermal roof survey are as follows:

Identification of any underlying issues in a prompt, safe and accurate manner.

Identification of areas of water ingress and standing water on flat roofs.

Detection and prevention of underlying roof problems.

Will A Thermal Survey Detect Missing Cavity Wall Insulation?

This non-invasive method of checking your home for heat loss issues (heat loss survey) such as cold spots and issues with cavity wall insulation can be used to identify a wide range of issues with your home’s energy efficiency rate.

It is possible for our certified and experienced thermographers to detect regions of inadequate insulation within the cavity of your brick walls, around windows, and above the ceilings of your loft space.

An effective heat loss survey will clearly identify places where insulation is lacking, as well as the extent to which these anomalies have an impact on the temperature in your room. In addition to identifying areas that need to be addressed, we may also assess the potential impact of these concerns on your living environment.

We are also able to provide inspections for concerns such as water leak detection, which allows us to locate areas of water penetration into your property using Thermography technology.

Thermal Heat Loss Survey: A Definition

This is a thermographic inspection of your building’s structure utilising an infrared camera to determine the efficiency of your building envelope’s heat retention abilities. Following the inspection we will suggest areas where improvements can be made.

Our qualified thermographers deploy thermal cameras and thermal imagining inspection software to highlight any potential areas of concern. When addressed properly your heating bills and carbon emissions will see a significant improvement.

Thermal heat loss surveys identify:

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Poorly installed or missing insulation.

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Air leakage paths - these can create cold areas in a property and even lead to damp.

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Sub-floor heating issues.

U-Values: What And Why Are They Important When Conducting Surveys?

Heat transfer through a structure (which can be made of a single material or a composite) is measured as the rate of heat transfer divided by the difference in temperature throughout the structure (also known as U-value).

The units of measurement are Watts per square meter of temperature difference (W/m2K).

The U-value of a structure decreases in direct proportion to how well it is insulated. The quality of the workmanship and the installation standards can have a significant impact on the thermal transmittance.

Because of holes and cold bridges in poorly installed insulation, the thermal transmittance can be significantly higher than anticipated. Conduction, convection, and radiation are all factors that contribute to thermal transmittance and are taken into consideration.