Mark Reusch

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I have a yahoo flickr account to post pictures of Thermal Images. I opened my account today and it was in French. As I don't speak, read, or understand French I am at a loss. Does anyone know how to change the languauge preferences on yahoo flickr? repeated calls to yahoo have been of no use to me as I must file an online claim to get tech support and only get back an aoutomated response. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

Thermal Imaging and how it works.

Thermography measures surface temperatures by using infrared video and still cameras. These tools see light that is in the heat spectrum. Images on the video or film record the temperature variations of the building's skin, ranging from white for warm regions to black for cooler areas. The resulting images help the auditor determine whether insulation is needed. They also serve as a quality control tool, to ensure that insulation has been installed correctly. A thermographic inspection is either an interior or exterior survey. The energy auditor decides which method would give the best results under certain weather conditions. Interior scans are more common, because warm air escaping from a building does not always move through the walls in a straight line. Heat loss detected in one area of the outside wall might originate at some other location on the inside of the wall. Also, it is harder to detect temperature differences on the outside surface of the building during windy weather. Because of this difficulty, interior surveys are generally more accurate because they benefit from reduced air movement. Thermography uses specially designed infrared video or still cameras to make images (called thermograms) that show surface heat variations. This technology has a number of applications. Thermograms of electrical systems can detect abnormally hot electrical connections or components. Thermograms of mechanical systems can detect the heat created by excessive friction. Energy auditors use thermography as a tool to help detect heat losses and air leakage in building envelopes. Infrared scanning allows energy auditors to check the effectiveness of insulation in a building's construction. The resulting thermograms help auditors determine whether a building needs insulation and where in the building it should go. Because wet insulation conducts heat faster than dry insulation, thermographic scans of roofs can often detect roof leaks. In addition to using thermography during an energy audit, you should have a scan done before purchasing a house; even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes. You may wish to include a clause in the contract requiring a thermographic scan of the house.

Preparing for a Thermographic Inspection

To prepare for an interior thermal scan, the homeowner should take steps to ensure an accurate result. This may include moving furniture away from exterior walls and removing drapes. The most accurate thermographic images usually occur when there is a large temperature difference (at least 20°F [14°C]) between inside and outside air temperatures.

Just passing this along, Snopes says it's legitimate.




With Christmas fast approaching . . . . . . . . . . .watch out for this... be alert..



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============ ========= ========= ========= =========
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Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused Millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.


Snopes confirms that it is real:
http://www.snopes. com/computer/ virus/ups. asp

Just thought that I would post this for all to read. I found it very interesting and believe it is a classic case of where the Home Inspection and Commercial Building inspection industry is headed. As we move forward with technology the consumer will become more and more aware of things like this and will require/request that this be made available to them as protection just as Termite inspections have become the norm as well as home inspections and also Radon testing. I believe this is the beginning of the future. Please read below. It is not my information but I felt I had to share it.

The U.S. Department Of Energy Now Recommends That A Thermographic Scan Be Done Before Purchasing A House, Even On New Homes

Thermography uses specially designed infrared video or still cameras to make images (called thermograms) that show surface heat variations. This technology has a number of applications. Thermograms of electricalsystems can detect abnormally hot electrical connections or components. Thermograms of mechanical systems can detect the heat created by excessive friction. Energy auditors use thermography as a tool to help detect heat losses and air leakage in building envelopes.

Infrared scanning allows energy auditors to check the effectiveness of insulationin a building's construction. The resulting thermograms help auditors determine whether a building needs insulation and where in the building it should go. Because wet insulationconducts heat faster than dry insulation, thermographic scans of roofs can often detect roof leaks.

In addition to using thermography during an energy audit, you should have a scan done before purchasing a house; even new houses can have defects in their thermal envelopes. You may wish to include a clause in the contract requiring a thermographic scan of the house. A thermographic scan performed by a certified technician is usually accurate enough to use as documentation in court proceedings.

Well I have my camera and have begun Thermal Inspections. It is a new world in the inspection industry and I am glad I am at the forefront of this part of it. I am amazed almost every day of the things I missed without this camera. Not that I would have been able to see the things I am now finding but it still amazes me what direction this industry is about to take. I believe that in 5 to 7 years most inspectors will need to have a thermal camera or fall by the wayside. AS buyers become more savvy and understand the benefits of this type of inspection they are more and more open to it. I have recently inspectedseveral houses all new construction and when the client has seen what this technology can do they have actually booked a follow up inspection for their 12 month warranty walk through and also have sent my name to friends they know who purchased homes within the last few months that have their 12 month warranty walk through comimg up.

If you are interested in seeing the difference please feel free to visit my new website and watch the video on the front page.

I think you will be surprised.

Warmest Regards to all

Mark Reusch

A Major Inspection Service & Consulting

V.P. Upstate National Association of Home Inspectors

www.amisc.net