Winter has arrived! Have you completed your building's thermal scan yet?

Lots of snow in the mountains and freezing temperatures - looks like winter has arrived. As temperatures continue to drop, how can you be sure you are not losing precious heat because of unseen heat loss? Rather than put another sweater on (and maybe some gloves and a hat!) consider a thermal imaging scan.

A infrared inspection will inspect the quality of insulation inside your building, as well as numerous other areas where heat loss can occur, such as cracks or breaks in building seals. Temperature scans inside and outside – along ceilings, floors, walls, windows, doors, vents and pipes – immediately show problem areas. A thermal imager with a blower door will quickly locate other sources of heat loss, such as insufficient insulation or broken seals, leaking HVAC ductwork or improper construction techniques.

Another quick hint is that wood alone is NOT a good insulator. Replacing inefficient wood doors with insulated fiberglass or metal doors is a good investment. With energy prices out of sight, replacement costs can be recovered quickly.


Interested in learning more? Call me at                         803-328-2889             and let’s talk!

IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial  users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com/ or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North Carolina and South Carolina!

I live in the South and I have Ice Dams. What is Wrong With This Picture?

It seems like we are setting records for cold temperatures, ice, and snow this winter! I've been iced in for a couple of days now. The grandkids are having a blast, but I think I've shovelled enough snow for a lifetime already!

I wanted to continue our series about the right questions to ask your thermographer, but under the circumstances (that is, under a ton of snow and ice!), I thought it might be timely to talk a bit about ice dams - what are they, and what do you do about them?

What is an ice dam? Ice dams occur when snow melts near the ridgelines of warm roofs (roofs without adequate ventilation). As the water runs down the roof to the overhang, it cools and freezes. When it gets cold again, any water that may have melted refreezes until you have the equivalent of a giant ice cube sitting on your roof eaves or gutters. While this sounds bad enough, real damage can occur as the ice melts. If the water has nowhere to go, it seeps underneath the shingles of your roof. Now you've got real problems as the water build up continues and damage to your roof can start to occur.

Notice that it occurs when snow melts near ridgelines of warm roofs. What makes a roof warm? If you lack  proper ventilation and insulation in your attic or roof structure, warm spots can form. So if you have ice dams, how can you tell where the warm spots are, and if they are being caused by improper ventilation or missing insulation?

Thermal imaging can be the key to identifying the root causes of ice dams. By performing a thermal scan on your roof, we can see exactly where the warm spots are. By using thermography to scan the corresponding areas on the inside of your building, we can identify why those spots are warmer than they should be.

Next time, we'll be back to developing a list of questions for your certified thermographer. In the meantime - stay warm!

Interested in learning more? Give me a call at 803-328-2889 and let’s talk!


IR Infrared Services provides top quality thermographic service at a competitive price to commercial and residential end users in North Carolina and South Carolina. For more information, visit http://www.irinfraredservices.com// or follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/infraredscans. We are proud to offer the very best thermography services in North and South Carolina!

Baby It's Cold Out There!

As temperatures continue to drop around the Carolinas, how sure are you that you are not losing precious heat because of unseen heat loss? Rather than put another sweater on (and maybe some gloves and a hat!) consider a thermal imaging scan.

A infrared inspection will inspect the quality of insulation inside your building, as well as numerous other areas where heat loss can occur, such as cracks or breaks in building seals. Temperature scans inside and outside – along ceilings, floors, walls, windows, doors, vents and pipes – immediately show problem areas. A thermal imager with a blower door will quickly locate other sources of heat loss, such as insufficient insulation or broken seals, leaking HVAC ductwork or improper construction techniques.

Another quick hint is that wood alone is NOT a good insulator. Replacing inefficient wood doors with insulated fiberglass or metal doors is a good investment. With energy prices out of sight, replacement costs can be recovered quickly.

Common Home Problems - Can They Be Solved with a Home Energy Audit?

In today's shifting economy, making sure your home is functioning in an energy-efficient way can have a big impact on your energy bills. Did you know that if you have one or more the following problems, a home energy audit can identify the issue and recommend how to fix it?

High Energy Bills
High utility bills in summer and winter can often be traced to air leaks in your home's envelope, inefficient windows or inefficient or incorrectly installed heating and cooling equipment, or poorly sealed and insulated ducts.
Mold, Mildew or Musty Odors
Water leaks or high humidity can lead to mold and mildew. This can cause wood rot, structural damage, peeling paint, and a variety of health problems. Often, high humidity in homes with central air conditioners can be traced to improperly sized or installed air conditioners.
Damp Basement
A damp basement is commonly caused by moisture migrating through the foundation. As this moisture evaporates, it increases indoor humidity and can promote the growth of mold — resulting in an uncomfortable house.
Cold Floors in Winter
Some types of floor coverings (such as wood, stone, tile, or concrete) will naturally feel cold on bare feet. However, insufficient insulation or air infiltration can also cause cold floors.
Drafty Rooms
Cold air coming into or going out of your house, especially through leaks hidden in the attic and basement, can cause rooms to feel drafty and uncomfortable.
Dust
Increased dust could be a sign that it is time to change your air filter or that your ductwork is not well sealed.
Moisture on Windows
Inefficient windows or high indoor moisture levels from air leaks can result in condensation, frost, or pools of water on windows and sills.
Ice Dams
Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and will warm the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt and refreeze as it runs off your roof — forming icicles and ice dams.
Peeling Paint
Peeling or cracking paint on your home's exterior may be a sign of a humidity problem or improper paint application.
Hot or Cold Rooms
Significant differences in temperature from one room to another could be caused by several factors, including inadequate insulation, air leakage, poor duct performance, and improperly installed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Dry Indoor Air in Winter
Air leaks in your home allow warm humid air to escape and draw in drier colder air.