| Infrared (IR) Thermography, thermal imaging cameras, | | | | lower the strain on any type of HVAC system as well |
| and thermal video, are all types of infrared imaging | | | | as lower energy cost altogether. Higher thermally |
| technology. Thermo-graphic cameras detect radiation | | | | sensitive units can also even be used to detect |
| in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum | | | | termites, mold, and all sorts of unwanted pests. This |
| (900?14,000 nanometers or 0.9?14 µm) and from that | | | | makes infrared thermal imaging extremely useful to all |
| radiation produce images. According to the black body | | | | forms of extermination companies. |
| radiation law, objects above 0 Kelvin radiate infrared | | | | The operation of a thermo-graphic camera is very |
| radiation. | | | | similar to both a radar gun and a camera. This enables |
| With thermography it is possible to see one?s | | | | the user to see in the full infrared spectrum. Some |
| environment with or without visible illumination. Radiation | | | | models even have the ability to record the output. |
| emitted by an object increases with temperature. So, | | | | However, a recording module is not always built-in. |
| thermography allows one to see variations in those | | | | Most modern thermal imaging cameras make use of a |
| temperatures. When viewed through a thermographic | | | | CMOS focal plane array (FPA). The newest hand held |
| camera, warm objects will stand out well against | | | | imagers utilize low-cost and un-cooled |
| cooler backgrounds. Humans as well as animals stand | | | | microbolometers FPA sensors. With resolution around |
| out extremely well against their environment. This is | | | | 160x120 and 320x240 pixels, they are considerably |
| why the basis of thermal imaging originates from | | | | lower than that of optical cameras. Some of the more |
| security and military applications. | | | | expensive models can offer up to 640 x 512. Although |
| Thermal imaging has many construction related uses | | | | thermo-graphic imaging cameras are more expensive |
| including electrical and high voltage maintenance | | | | than their ?light only? counterparts, their cost over |
| applications and the location of overheating | | | | recent years has dropped considerably. This has |
| connections and parts, which is a sign of their failure. | | | | made their use is the building inspection, maintenance, |
| Where insulation becomes faulty, building envelope | | | | medical , and construction fields much more common |
| technicians can see thermal signatures that indicate | | | | place. Older, less rugged models requiring cryogenic |
| heat or cold leaks. Roofing inspections can reveal roof | | | | cooling are now being replaced by portable, hand held, |
| failure areas that need to be replaced, saving tens of | | | | and cost effective models that are approaching the |
| thousands of dollars in a complete roof replacement. | | | | same thermal sensitivity. |
| Facilitation of these types of green energy repairs can | | | | |