Green Building Forum - Thermal imaging cameras

Green Building Forum - Thermal imaging cameras Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:36:26 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43140#Comment_43140 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43140#Comment_43140 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:54:09 +0000 jamesbl Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43143#Comment_43143 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43143#Comment_43143 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:13:25 +0000 tony Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43198#Comment_43198 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43198#Comment_43198 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 22:52:54 +0000 brig001 http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=220790

Found air infiltration all over the place and gaps in loft insulation without going up there using one of these.

Takes a long time, but gives me something to do while Casualty, Big Brother etc. are on.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43203#Comment_43203 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43203#Comment_43203 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:30:04 +0000 Joatex Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43227#Comment_43227 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43227#Comment_43227 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 10:36:14 +0000 PaulT
My Camera is low res so I only do interior work and limited exterior detailing.

The main use is in conjunction with Ait leakage testing; Incoming cold air will cool sufraces showing up air leakage paths.

I am now about to upgrade and have found that Â£4,000-Â£8,000 is needed for a camaera capable of providing reasonable images for exterior work.

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It is very improtant to understant that thermal imaging is a qualitative analysis and needs a good understanding of physics to interpret correctly.
For instance if you image metal and wood at the same temperature the camera will show different temp's du to the different emissivities...

It is also a profession for insomniacs as Solar radiation quickly messes up results.

Visible light :cool:

]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43259#Comment_43259 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43259#Comment_43259 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:53:08 +0000 jamesbl
I would like to use a camera for building defects - roof leaks , under floor heating faults and for energy diagnostic work .]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43265#Comment_43265 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43265#Comment_43265 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:59:10 +0000 SimonH
Alternatively some of the digtal SLRs are available without the IR filter I believe - check some camera forums but it was what I was considering. I think some of the older models might be available cheaply on ebay having gone out of fashion. What you then need to add is a screw on visible light filter to the front of your SLR lens and all that hits the sensor is IR. So again - you can get black and white thermal images. White is hot - and leaky - darker is cooler and insulated. The advantage with digital of course is you can play with the settings to get the exposure right so that instead of getting a black image with shadesof dark grey, you get a whiter image with shades of light grey. You can also use the camera for "normal" photography. Still expect to spend a few bob on lenses, batteries, filters tripod / bag etc.

These both won't give you temperature reading and let you work out real U values, but at least you can see where the leaks are. They are also much higher resolution that dedicated IR cameras.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43271#Comment_43271 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43271#Comment_43271 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:23:49 +0000 PaulT
Visible light centres around surfaace temperatures of 6,000K - the sun, the IR the cameras detect is closer to those magnitudes of temperatures rather than the 250-300K (approx) range we are interested in.

James CIBSE Guide A (Environmental), available from your library (I believe) is a good start for background reading.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43431#Comment_43431 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=43431#Comment_43431 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:12:01 +0000 BrianR
It is well worth getting a surveyor round who offers an IR service. I paid Â£250 and it showed up all the places where radiators were streaming heat to outside. The wood framing of the house underneath the render. Places where water was leaking in from the roof and many other useful bits of information. The JPEGs supplied will be invaluable for future maintenance.

There are some things that would be a very useful addition. It would be useful to have a picture of where heat flows out of the house rather than the external temperature. Not quite sure how to achieve this (pulse heat the house?). Even better would be a service like IR that detected water or damp in buildings (in 3D). The person to lick that problem with a cheap gadget will make a fortune.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93744#Comment_93744 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93744#Comment_93744 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 22:49:01 +0000 trolleyed Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93750#Comment_93750 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93750#Comment_93750 Mon, 08 Nov 2010 08:10:00 +0000 DamonHD

Livingston was very helpful 2010/07/19 saying that a typical low-end thermal camera with a USB connection to extract images from it would cost somewhere round Â£300--Â£400 for a 3-day hire which could be over a weekend, which would probably cover me. Ashtead Technology had a 2-day minimum hire for a little over Â£100/day for similar, so getting hold of this equipment is not prohibitively expensive or difficult.

Rgds

Damon]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93940#Comment_93940 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93940#Comment_93940 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:30:04 +0000 rhamdu Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93953#Comment_93953 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=93953#Comment_93953 Wed, 10 Nov 2010 08:55:00 +0000 arnyj
the Transition movement might also be able to help.

if you reply to me quietly I will find exact contact info ,

arny]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94074#Comment_94074 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94074#Comment_94074 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:14:59 +0000 RobinB Posted By: rhamduIt's time Google put thermal imaging cameras on their Streetview cars. They could certainly afford it.
Nice idea - have you suggested it to them?]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94075#Comment_94075 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94075#Comment_94075 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:29:46 +0000 DamonHD
Rgds

Damon]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94076#Comment_94076 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94076#Comment_94076 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:32:41 +0000 SteamyTea Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94109#Comment_94109 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94109#Comment_94109 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:48:58 +0000 rhamdu
Someone with experience of heat cameras please tell us - do they record images fast enough to be used from a moving car? The cops use infra red cameras from helicopters to pursue suspects by night - but maybe that's a different kind of camera.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94313#Comment_94313 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=94313#Comment_94313 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 16:12:34 +0000 rhamdu Posted By: rhamduGoogle Thermal Streetview

If anyone is interested.... the idea was floated in 2009 as an apparent April fool http://www.gearthblog.com/blog/archives/2009/04/google_previews_next_generation_str.html

In June 2009 it was proposed as a serious idea, in the Huffington Post http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-d-j-harper/never-mind-google-streetv_b_211830.html]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95337#Comment_95337 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95337#Comment_95337 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 16:55:40 +0000 daysleeper Thinking of popping round to the fire station and seeing if I can borrow theirs!]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95357#Comment_95357 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95357#Comment_95357 Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:32:04 +0000 DamonHD
Rgds

Damon]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95792#Comment_95792 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95792#Comment_95792 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:23:51 +0000 daysleeper
TIC hire is about Â£200 (cheaper if you have a trade desk nearby and can do 1 day hire) but the cheapest quote to do a TIC only survey is about Â£300+vat and a blower door is Â£500-600]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95793#Comment_95793 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95793#Comment_95793 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:41:15 +0000 SteamyTea
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn19762-inside-the-race-to-hack-the-kinect.html?full=true

Having just looked at the video I am not sure what 'Bra Boy' is about, really pushing the boundaries of technology there!]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95794#Comment_95794 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95794#Comment_95794 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:54:22 +0000 brig001 Brian.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95795#Comment_95795 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95795#Comment_95795 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 12:54:59 +0000 Robur Remember, the IR camera will simply measure the surface temperature of what you are looking at, not heat flow through the construction or anything else.
A great tool but handle with care :-)]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95796#Comment_95796 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95796#Comment_95796 Fri, 03 Dec 2010 13:08:04 +0000 SteamyTea Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95830#Comment_95830 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95830#Comment_95830 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:14:18 +0000 Joiner Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95831#Comment_95831 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=95831#Comment_95831 Sat, 04 Dec 2010 09:17:06 +0000 Joiner Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=96162#Comment_96162 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=96162#Comment_96162 Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:37:34 +0000 wookey http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12303.0/topicseen.html
(surveys beeing offered in the Leicester / Cambridgeshire / Surrey / Reading/ Swindon area for GBP 100.

I've had this service from Ivan last year and it's definately useful. We found a couple of leaky windows, a big heat hole above the bathroom vent and you could see one of the radiators throught the (Cavity insulated) wall. His camera is not the fanciest, but it does the job.

Tiresomely, the IR camera people all insist on keeping their image formats secret so you can't view them on Linux at all (yet), nor can you write software to do image format conversion or batch processing or anything else. The viewing software does run under wine, at least.]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=100973#Comment_100973 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=100973#Comment_100973 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:01:16 +0000 Tonyt
Go to fluke website, i think its called try and buy, i didnt buy.

Tonyt]]> Thermal imaging cameras https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=100980#Comment_100980 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=3290&Focus=100980#Comment_100980 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 22:38:46 +0000 nigel External surface temp -3.2 not bad I thought so I compared it a neighbour in an 8 year old house their external surface temp was +4.2. Their DG was cooler than their walls, I dont think they put any insulation in the walls.

I suspect thats fairly typical of a modern "as built" survey as building regs dont monitor what insulation actually gets installed.

The IR camera has been very useful in confirming my thoughts as to where the cold bridges are.
I plan to use it again when its windy to spot draughts.]]>