Temperature Differential

Infrared light is usually measured by home inspectors with the use of an IR thermometer to measure temperatures. Thermal Imaging can also be used to in this way, but it is mostly used to measure the difference in the temperatures in different areas and to display these differences visually rather than as just a temperature number. When different areas of a picture are viewed, most of the information is derived from the differences in the temperature of the various parts of the image.

What is Thermal Imaging

Also called infrared imaging or thermography, thermal imaging is utilizes the wavelengths of light that have a lower frequency than normal, visual light called infrared

The eye can only see objects that are reflecting light within a limited band of the electromagnetic spectrum. At one extreme are cosmic rays and X-rays. At the other end are radio and microwaves. In the middle lies the spectrum of visible light that is able to be detected by the naked human eye. Just to the downside (right) of the visible spectrum is infrared light, also known as heat waves. This is the portion of the spectrum that thermal imaging uses.

Sample Images From An Infrared Camera.

This is a picture of a drywall ceiling with the thermal image at right showing moisture intrusion from a leaky roof flashing.

Here is an example of improper flashing at the gutter and the resulting moisture intrusion down the wall.

This is an example of missing insulation in a ceiling and the resulting energy loss.

In these photos note the heat signature being emitted from the left switch and not the right.