Application Note

1. Building envelopes
The building envelope includes a facility’s structure
as well as the climate controls within. The envelope
separates the outside environment from the inside,
and it’s frequently imperfect.
What to scan:
• Roofs. In addition to looking for moisture issues, scan the roof
surface and follow thermal differences to identify possible air
leak entry and exit points.
• Walls between conditioned and unconditioned spaces,
including outside walls. Significant air leaks tend to occur
at the top and bottom of conditioned spaces, where air can
enter or escape a structure.
• Penetrations of the building envelope (pipes, conduits,
chimneys, etc.). Uninsulated or unsealed gaps often exist
around roof and wall penetrations.
• Door and window frames and seals. Locate air leaks around
windows, doors and casings caused by worn or missing seals
or improper insulation. Repairs are often as simple as caulking
or weather stripping.
2. Boilers
The heart of steam and hot water heating systems, boilers
consume and often waste a significant amount of energy.
What to scan:
• Refractory and insulation. In-service monitoring and
inspection of refractory linings can be performed using
thermal imagers.
• Fan motors. Check for impeded airflow, electrical unbalance,
overheated bearings and failing winding insulation.
• Pumps. Look for hot bearings, leaking seals and motor faults.
• Valves. Thermal imagers can identify blocked valves that are
nominally open and leaking valves that are nominally closed.
• Electrical connections. Look for loose or corroded
connections that increase electrical resistance and contribute
to I2R losses.
Fast fact
According to the U.S. Department of Energy,
improving the efciency of a building’s envelope
can reduce energy bills by 15 % or more.
Fast fact
According to the U.S. Department of Energy,
improving the efciency of a building’s envelope
can reduce energy bills by 15 % or more.