I don’t know if I should have posted this in the General Discussion folder or not.
Does anyone know where I can rent one of those cameras with infrared technology where I can see the spots in my walls that are missing insulation or that have other heat loss or moisture problems?
I’ve tried some internet searches and asked at my local big box stores already and hardly anybody knows what I’m talking about. (I’m in central NJ)
Thanks,
Colleen
Replies
As an alternative, most HD/bLowes sell infrared thermometers, as do most automotive tool sellers(Pep boys, Autozone, etc.). While they won't give you the picture to look at, you can scan back and forth and watch the temperature variations. They usually can be had for $79-100, and they do come in handy!
I don't know how a moisture problem would come into play with either of those, unless it caused a temperature variance.
I'd do a Google search for thermal imaging camera rental (such as I did: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=thermal+imaging+camera+rental&aq=7&oq=thermal+imagi) and got beaucoup results ;) )
But before you spend a lot of dough, renting the camera is one thing, operating it properly and interpreting the results are another thing entirely. I know that many utilities have folks that will come out for little or no money and give you a survey, although this is peak season. Anyway... good luck!
PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
Edited 10/27/2008 8:55 pm ET by PaulBinCT
Its been awhile but Kodak made an infrared 35 mm.sensitive film . Ya might check . I also have a Thermo gun from Harbor Freight that reads temp. when you point and pull the trigger. Kind of fun. I found it works best for making sure my oil is correct for frying french fries. Also interesting for checking temp of the window glass vs. wall or floor. If you want to do specific spot readings I think you would like this. If you want to stand back and get the big heat loss picture get the camera.
Edited 10/27/2008 10:07 pm ET by atrident
IR film won't work for detecting heat loss... wrong wavelength and not sensitive enough....PaulB
http://www.makeabettertomorrow.com
http://www.finecontracting.com
Its been awhile but Kodak made an infrared 35 mm.sensitive
Uhh, yeah, about that - if it's sensitive to temperatures around room temperature, you have to keep it chilled to avoid overexposing it.
I had this "great idea" a while back - until I learned that it wasn't really practical. In the lab, we keep the film and camera chilled. I guess you could rig something up, but it's not really practical.
BTW, Sears has the IR thermometers on sale for around $20 from time to time. Much better solution, IMHO.
PaulBinCT has some good points. Utilities often do it for free ... but you may (or may not) get what you pay for. If they aren't trained in thermography for structures (utilities often use the thermal imaging to detect leaks or electrical hot spots in equipment). But ... free is OK ... depending on what you might use it for. Can't hurt to talk to the utility.
More specifically, what are you trying to do or what do you think you are wanting to find out? Anything specific? Are you looking for a specific problem (e.g. cellulose blown into walls)? This may affect which camera works best for you.
Funny ... just got an e-mail this a.m. from a company that sells and or provides them on a rental basis (I think). I put in a call, because I had questions. At work, I'll e-mail myself some links that may be of interest. These things tend to be a little expensive ... starting at $1,400, but averaging more like $4-5K for these and topping out at over $12K.
An infrared thermometer will do virtually zip for you. It tells you temp at a point and may be fairly inaccurate ... again, depending on what you want it for.
I'll check at the office for the website and get back to you on that one.
What we are trying to do is see which areas have cellulose insulation and which don't. A year ago we had it blown into the walls. We scraped wallpaper down to the unprimed sheetrock--had to tape seams and everything, so drilling holes for insulation and patching at that stage was relatively easy. Through a recent renovation, we discovered that most of our stairwell had been missed and fear that there are other parts of the house (which are now finished and painted) that were also missed. The insulation company is aware that they missed some areas, but they only have a 2 1/2 hole saw to check. Since some rooms are all patched and finished, we'd rather check by other means if possible.
If you have baseboard any wider than 1-1/2", you can pull that and check -- sorta.
I say sorta 'cause, depending on how the house was framed, you may find cavites that are filled all the way except, e.g., for a small section below a horizontal framing member. DAMHIKT.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Right ... forgot to send my message from the office ... will do that today. I did talk w/ the company that sells thermal imaging cameras ... they're expensive!! He said they would rent ... but that is expensive ($700+ a week).
He did say he might be able to refer you to a local provider of services. Your case is relatively easy for thermal imaging as there isn't a lot of detail as with scanning a motor bearing or an electrical panel. Spotting missing insulation is a piece of cake relatively speaking. This is exactly what thermal imaging for buildings is about.
Sorry 'bout the delay ... I'll try to remember to send my message (I composed a draft w/ some notes and then apparently forgot to send the finished product). I'll be back to you.
Where are you located (city)?
One guy mentioned the FLIR product ... exactly what I was talking about. That is the manufacturer/Brand. The distributor ... forget their name is who I was going to put you in touch with. The guy I talked to was Gearry Morris (sp?). You might google the FLIR name and see if you find it fast ... I'm guessing you should, but I'll check back w/ you to make sure
They sure provide a hard sell approach in their marketing/web site. Their technical jargon is lame in places (doesn't instill confidence in their technical expertise). I hate it when a good product is being marketed w/ hard sell tactics and lame advertisements.
But looks like a good product and he did say he may be able to refer you to someone local to provide the service.
Wow, I had no idea this thread would be such a hot-bed of activity! Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone. I really appreciate your time.We are currently without a working bathroom, so once I get that all squared away and the fixtures installed, I'll be checking into all of these options.Thanks again!
As stated before, infra-red film will not work for this purpose. It just turns leaves and grass white and blue skys dark. Makes a great picture though.
View Image
View Image
More better http://www.pbase.com/image/47985412
You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
Edited 10/29/2008 12:35 pm by Marv
Edited 10/29/2008 12:36 pm by Marv
Edited 10/29/2008 12:37 pm by Marv
No pun intended? Having trouble getting my link. The guys name is Geary Morris located in Tuscon. Here is his direct link. Call him for a possible local referral if you want.
http://www.ashi.org/homeinspectors/Arizona/Tucson/14718IB/
This is a link to him ... not to his FLIR equipment page ... which I thought I would be able to get, but for some reason my e-mail isn't going through. Anyway after doing my own search for FLIR on line ... learning that LOTS of people market the FLIR line of products.
Consider looking under Home Inspectors or Building Inspectors or Thermal Imaging in yellow pages, too. Just FYI ... the FLIR 'B' series is generally the products for low temp building envelope imaging (others will work, but if you bought one for this application, it would likely be the 'B' series).
We got a IR camera for our local fire department last year - works great but no idea on cost. I'm not sure it will operate at low enough temperatures to identify your problem but it might be worth a shot to contact the local firehouse and ask if they want to come through and do a "training exercise" one afternoon.
Email me I have one and live in NJ near exit 4 of the turnpike, I'm still working out how to use it. It would be good practise for me.
I was looking at purchasing an infrared camera and was floored at the prices. I was going to settle for an infrared thermometer. I came across a company that is advertising an IR Camera new for $300.00. I have the info at work. If I remember to bring it home I will post it tomorrow. You can make up your own mind if it is worth purchasing.
IMO I'd be careful about $300 for the IR camera ... either it has significant limitations or it simply doesn't work like maybe you want. There is usually a reason they cost 3-10 grand+. If they could be sold cheaper, they'd be doing it. I recall the original IR cameras powered by liquid nitrogen (if I recall correctly, which I may not). They were like $25K and were not exactly easy to lug around ... technology is changing. Now they are cheap!
The Information on the $300.00 camera is as follows. Manufacturer name is IRISYS the camera is their model IRI 1011. The Untied States Distributor is Entherm. Their WEB sight is http://WWW.entherm.com . Don't know a thing about it. Just saw it in a new equipment magazine.
It looks to me like the price is under $3,000, not $300.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
Hi, I actually have that IRISYS camera at work.
It's not bad for super simple stuff, but you get what you pay for. The resolution of the IRISYS is much much much lower that what you'd get in one or the FLIRs. Also, the camera is really only good out to maybe 1-2 meters, which means you can't just point it from across the room to look for hot/cold spots.So, the IRISYS is a decent low-cost thermal cam, but probably not the best tool for checking insulation voids in a whole house.The FLIR cams go from around $20K and up. Great tools, but not cheap.
FLIR camera on Avenger have a 4" germanium lens, worked on that in the early 90's. - 80C or so cooler on (now antiquated) mechanical raster sense sweep.
Occasional complaints to management during testing phase (after one of the senior female managers saw an IR display of 'young things' walking down the sidewalk at lunch on one of the displays being tested).
Now that is an IR camera <G>
I found out that an instrument rental company that my work uses for survey instruments, etc, has one of the simpler ones available for rent. Have talked to a couple friends/co-workers about sharing a rental and taking photos of all of our homes. IIRC, it was $300 or so for the week. This wasn't one of the IR camcorders that are $10k+, it's like one of this range:
http://www.flirthermography.com/cameras/series/1012/
Well it has been quite a while since the topic was posted and since then, Infrared cameras have gotten much cheaper and easier to buy. Now for homes I personally use the E series ones from Flir. Either of these is going to work: https://industrial-reviews.com/flir-e4-vs-flir-e5-vs-flir-e5-xt-vs-flir-e6-xt-vs-flir-e8-xt/
They are a bit expensive, but after doing a lot of research I went out and spent the extra money, because I could have easily gotten a 320 x 240 sensor for half the price. The difference between them is in the resolution and thermal sensitivity, but in terms of inspecting dry walls, HVAC and insulation I wouldn't trade my E5 for anything.
nice to see that a recent comment to a posting that I didn't realize until a couple of comments that it's about 14 years old
quick question for you (if you don't mine) - did your research include looking at the thermal imaging "apps" for cell phones? I heard/read somewhere that there are apps available for phones.
thanks