Infrared thermography
An infrared camera shows temperature differences the eye can’t see. We use it to find missing insulation, air leaks, moisture and overheating equipment without opening a wall.
When you need it
- You suspect heat loss, drafts or ice damming but can’t see the cause.
- There are signs of moisture or mould and you need to know how far they extend.
- A new building’s envelope needs checking before the warranty ends.
- You want to check radiant heating, steam traps or equipment for hot spots.
What we do
Plan for conditions
Envelope scans need a real temperature difference between inside and outside, so we schedule them for cold weather, usually early morning or evening.
Scan
We scan the building inside and out. Depressurizing the building with a blower door makes air leaks show up more clearly.
Confirm
We check suspect areas with moisture meters or other tools before calling something a problem.
Report
Each finding is shown as a thermal image beside a normal photo, with what we think it is and what to do next.
What you receive
- Thermal and visual image pairs for each finding
- What each anomaly is: missing insulation, air leakage, moisture or an equipment fault
- Prioritized recommendations
Questions
When is the best time for an envelope scan?
When it’s much colder outside than inside, which in Canada usually means winter with the heat on. A difference of about 10°C or more makes problems clear.
Can thermography see through walls?
No. It reads surface temperatures. A cold patch on a wall tells us something behind it is different, and then we work out what.
Is it worth doing on a new building?
Yes. A scan before the warranty ends can catch missing insulation and air barrier gaps while the builder is still responsible for them.
Further reading
- Envelope heat loss: U-values, thermal bridging and infiltration
Learn how to calculate envelope heat loss accurately, why thermal bridges and air leakage often matter more than insulation thickness, and how these factors affect HVAC sizing.
- Condensation and mould prevention
Learn the dew point principles behind condensation, the most common problem areas in commercial buildings, and the HVAC and envelope measures that keep surfaces dry and mould-free.
- Humidification in cold climates
Learn why indoor air gets so dry in Canadian winters, which buildings genuinely need humidification, how steam and adiabatic humidifiers compare, and how to set humidity limits that protect the building envelope.
- Ice arena HVAC and dehumidification
Learn why humidity control is the central HVAC problem in ice arenas, how dehumidification and low-emissivity ceilings prevent fog and dripping, and how to manage air quality and energy use.
- Indoor pool HVAC and dehumidification
Learn how indoor pool natatoriums are dehumidified and ventilated, what temperatures and humidity to design for, and how to protect the building envelope and occupants from moisture and chloramines.
Related services
Also in commissioning: Building commissioning, Retro-commissioning.
Get a quote for infrared thermography
Tell us about the building and what you need. We’ll be in touch within one hour.