Thermal imaging cameras from Flir Systems are being used to help optimise energy efficiency in low-cost housing.
The building sector offers the largest single potential for improving energy efficiency and infrared thermography is the easiest method to detect energy waste, moisture and electrical issues in buildings. An infrared camera shows exactly where the problems are and helps focus the inspectors' attention to diagnose areas with energy loss.
Worldwide over 1.1 billion people are living in inadequate housing conditions, according to the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS).
One organization dedicated to solving this issue is Habitat for Humanity which is working to provide affordable homes across the globe.
To do this the organisation developed a prototype called Good House that is environmentally friendly, is easily disassembled and uses materials that can be recycled.
The prototype had to be inspected thoroughly to ensure it was energy efficient. Research and development professionals at ArcelorMittal Liège Research used Flir thermal imaging cameras to optimize the design of the housing solution.
The house uses a light steel frame structure, a pre-painted steel roof tile system, a steel rainwater extraction system, and a steel cladding made of pre-painted roll-formed parts.
Thermography expert at the research centre, Francis Lamberg, uses thermal imaging cameras for all building insulation tests.
“It really is a great tool for energy audits. It is light, compact and easy to use and it provides exactly the thermal data you need for this type of inspection,” he said.
The thermal data collected proved that the prototype had some initial insulation design flaws both in the window frames and the indoor partition walls.
"We found several thermal bridges during the inspection. A thermal bridge is an area with less insulation. Heat follows the path of least resistance,” Lamberg said.
Often heat will 'short circuit' through an element that has much higher conductivity than the surrounding material. This is called a thermal bridge.
"Luckily both of the insulation problems were easily solved,” he said.
Flir Systems provides a range of cameras for different applications. For example, the i3, i5 and i7 series are the smallest and most affordable while the E30bx through to E60bx cameras were developed for building and HVAC inspections.
The T400bx and T600bx was designed for the expert requiring high performance and the latest technology. For product information go to www.flir.com