Complementary Infrared Scans with Home Inspections

We routinely use thermal imaging equipment to inspect the electrical panel, HVAC ducts, and inaccessible areas near plumbing fixtures or pipes. This is part of our Standard Residential Home Inspection and comes at no added cost to you. 

What can an infrared scan reveal?

An infrared camera uses measurements of surface temperatures and the differences between them to build images.  The accuracy of infrared imaging relies on the difference in temperatures of adjacent items.  For instance, to detect air leaking around a window with a thermal imaging camera or infrared scanner, the temperature of the inside air should preferably be 25 degrees warmer or cooler than the outside air. Therefore, on a mild weather day an infrared image of the windows and doors may not be very useful. However, an infrared image of the ducts in the attic or crawlspace could still reveal leakage; or an image of the electrical panel could discover a dangerous defect inside.  An infrared camera can help detect a leak in second story plumbing by running the hot water and looking for any heat signatures in the ceiling around the pipes or fixtures.