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The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Adjust the focus and field of view on your camera before and during readings to ensure clarity and accuracy. The electrical system in your home can be problematic if the wiring has many splices. Thermal imaging can show issues where the electrical resistance traveling through the wires has begun to build up in the system. This buildup can indicate a potential problem and can lead to a short in the wiring and dangerously hot electrical circuits.
The more repeatable a result is, regardless of these intervening factors, the more accurate a camera will be. For example, a low-resolution camera may present a broad spectrum image of your plumbing system that vaguely shows an increase in temperature that extends outside of the pipe. While it helps to determine that there is a hot water leak, it does not show the exact location of the leak. With a higher resolution camera, you can identify the flow of water and open a hole just wide enough to stop the leak. The size and weight of a thermal camera is a necessary consideration for anyone who is planning on using it for an extended period of time. Whether a thermal camera will help reduce hand fatigue is collectively determined by the size, weight, and grip.
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By identifying potential problems before they become major issues, thermal cameras can help inspectors avoid costly repairs. In addition, thermal cameras can help inspectors find hidden problems that would otherwise be difficult to find. There are many advantages of using thermal cameras during home inspection. One of the advantages of using a thermal camera for a home inspection is that it can help to identify problems that are not immediately visible to the naked eye. For example, a thermal camera can detect heat loss from a window that is not properly sealed, or it can identify areas of mold growth behind walls.
It can measure temperatures ranging from -25 to 380°C with an accuracy of ±1.5% or ±1.5°C. FLIR TG165 is indeed an “Imaging Infrared Thermometer” that combines the feature of a thermal imaging tool and a temperature measurement tool. Similarly the spotmeter can also be turned on or off according to the need. Different color palettes like Iron, Rainbow, Rainbow HC and Gray are also available in C2.
#4: Best Budget – FLIR TG165 Spot Thermal Imager
Electrical work is an area where thermal cameras are extremely useful. You can’t see it with the naked eye, but electrical wires that have electricity running through them are extremely hot. Thermal cameras can see electrical shorts or areas where the wires are hotter than they should be, which is a fire hazard. You can now check what is wrong with your electricity supply system, your HVAC or water intrusion. Quality and Performance The FLIR ONE Pro benefits from VividIR technology for image processing and a thermal resolution increased four times!
Includes a 300 lumen LED flashlight, long-lasting rechargeable battery, large color display, and durable rubberized casing. Thermal imaging drones are one of the more underrated thermal imaging options in home inspection. They’re great for hard-to-access locations such as roofs, high outside walls, or gables. It has a more intuitive visual interface and an improved user-tested touch screen interface.
SEEK THERMAL COMPACT IMAGING CAMERA
Data can be saved on the camera or it can be saved on your computer or another device. This usually requires a USB cord, but some cameras can connect to Wi-Fi. Smartphone thermal camera attachments connect directly to your smartphone so the data can be used on your phone the same way as you would use it on a computer. The result is a detailed thermal image produced by the thermal camera with overlays of sharp corners and edges from the visual camera to give the thermal image some identifiable structure. This feature can help identify studs in a wall, plastic pipes, and even furniture in a dark room.
Catching problems ahead of time will save a ton of red tape and headaches from a failed inspection. Home inspectors have recently started to use thermal cameras to detect various anomalies. Thermal cameras can detect the temperature difference if walls, ceilings, or attics are low on insulation in certain areas.
Combining efficient battery life with the top-of-the-line features, SEEK has quickly become a go-to brand when it comes to thermal imaging cameras. While inspecting a home with a FLIR camera, you will find cold spots, hot spots, and patterns that might not make sense and are easy to misinterpret. With affordability and user-friendliness in mind, Seek has a large inventory of thermal tools from mobile attachments and handheld devices for those that are new to using thermal imaging. As most Seek models are compact and lightweight, they are suitable for job sites and residential use as they provide high-resolution imaging with the touch of a button. This visual inspection camera has a visual light image enhancement floodlight to help identify objects and present them in a combined view. The camera can measure temperatures from -4 to 752 degrees Fahrenheit with an accuracy rating of 4 degrees Fahrenheit and has a 3.5-inch integrated touchscreen for simple, effective control.
Finally, it is a durable thermal imaging camera that will never disappoint you. The highly regarded thermal camera comes with image processing for resolution and accuracy. This thermal camera displays imagery using the Android application. Finally, you will have an easy time when using this thermal imaging camera. With core values of time and energy-efficiency, this brand creates handheld and fixed thermal cameras and screening solutions for residential, commercial, and professional use. These technologies are capable of detecting temperatures as low as -40 degrees, laser-assisted autofocus, and automatic image uploading.
This is the Cadillac of thermal image cameras with an extended temperature range, enhanced imagery, WiFi & Bluetooth technology for easy data sharing. FLIR is one of the top names in the thermal camera industry, which makes it fitting that they have the first camera on our list. The FLIR TG267 Thermal Camera is perfect for new home inspectors without a big budget. It’s a solid step up from a smartphone attachment and is perfect for commercial or residential inspections. You can check HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems with the FLIR TG267.
The unit boasts 19mm lenses to provide a broad situational awareness and can detect heat signatures up to 550 yards away. View your finds with the 640 x 480 pixel LCD screen that displays crisp and clear imagery with grab-and-go simplicity – the unit starts up in seconds, no training required. The FLIR ONE is an attachment that has two cameras, one in the visible spectrum, and another, temperature-sensitive one.
This helps prevent doubt regarding a potential abnormality that needs to be addressed. Thermal resolution quality is measured in pixels and can range from 60 by 60 pixel resolutions more commonly seen on smartphone attachments to as high as 320 by 240 pixels. The higher resolution may be necessary for professions that require precise thermal imaging tools.
A thermal camera can help you find problems with your electrical, HVAC, or plumbing system without having to cut unnecessary holes in your walls. A home inspection that uses thermal imaging can also find the electrical issues in a home. In the picture above, the camera is pointing at the electrical box to see if there are any issues. These would be issues such as circuit breakers that need replacing or overloaded circuits. Let’s take a look at why this is important, difference from a regular home inspection, why it is useful, colors on an infrared camera, mandatory fixes, and when to call a professional. The temperature range is only -13 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, limiting this device to human and animal detection.
Smartphone thermal camera attachments are increasing in popularity with every passing year. Smartphone thermal cameras are attached to the phone’s USB port and allow you to record images and videos as if you were taking them with your phone. While smartphone attachments are affordable, handy, and easy to use, we don’t recommend them for serious, full-time home inspectors. This thermal imaging camera will save your time since you don’t have to measure each part one by one. Additionally, potential problems can be clearly displayed on the color screen.
