D-I-Y home energy audit using IR camera

 Looking for some feedback on using an infrared (IR) camera for a d-i-y
home energy audit. I'm thinking of taking some thermal pics of the
house to identify major problem areas (poorly insulated doors,
windows, attic, etc.) Kinda like <http://www.predictive-
maintenance.com/energy.html>

Has anyone done something like that before, and could offer helpful
tips?

Also, looking for suggestions on an affordable, yet decent (still
picture) IR camera for this kind of application; best place to buy
one?

I realize that even a simple such IR camera would cost more than an
energy audit done by my local utility. But I guess it'd be fun to d-i-
y, be able to take some before and after pics, etc :)

Cheers

 
There was a rather involved discussion about this here, about a year ago. Do
a google search and you should find some interesting info. The consensus
seemed to be "forget about it - it won't work".

 bobnospam@gmail.com says...

Neither IR film nor common IR-sensitive digital cameras will work for an
energy audit.  IR photography is generally near-IR, wavelengths less
than 1000nm.  You'll need much longer-wavelength IR to see the
temperature ranges for an energy audit.  That typically uses a
supercooled sensor, very specialized equipment.

--
josh@phred.org is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Updated Infrared Photography Books List:
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/photo/irbooks.html>

 

What about a non-contact thermometer?  It wouldn't do a whole side of
the house at one time, but could it be pointed at the edges of doors,
windows, etc. to find heat leaks?

I havent' had time to test for this yet.

 wrote:


I would hope so.  You can't get it at Walgreen's but I would think a
camera store has some.  If not there, a better than average camera
store. That would certainly be the cheapest way, instead of buying a
whole camera!

BTW, probably best in a camera with manual focus, because the focal
length isn't quite the same as for visible light.  The lenses I've
seen have a red dot, iirc, near the usual indicator line, for focusing
infrared.

BTW2, I still have a roll or IR film in my refrigerator.  It's been
there for about 25 years.  I keep meaning to use it, but I have no
particular need.  Hmmm, how about checking for heat loss!