Advanced Thermal Imaging Inspections for Homes & Commercial Properties Throughout Chicagoland

A thermal imaging inspection uses an infrared camera to measure and display surface-temperature differences across walls, ceilings, floors, electrical components, HVAC systems and other accessible areas of a property.

These temperature patterns can help identify areas that may warrant closer evaluation for moisture intrusion, missing insulation, air leakage, electrical overheating, HVAC irregularities or other hidden conditions that may not be obvious during a standard visual inspection.

No. A thermal camera does not see through walls, ceilings or floors.

Infrared cameras detect differences in surface temperature. Those patterns can sometimes suggest that something unusual is occurring behind or within a building component, but the camera does not provide a direct view of what is concealed inside the structure.

Thermal imaging can help identify temperature patterns that may be associated with moisture intrusion, but a thermal image alone does not prove that water is present.

Moist areas can sometimes appear warmer or cooler than surrounding materials because of evaporation, temperature differences or changes in the material. When a suspicious thermal pattern is identified, Dunsing may use a moisture meter to investigate the area further.

Infrared thermal imaging can help reveal visible temperature anomalies associated with conditions such as:

• Possible moisture intrusion
• Missing or inconsistent insulation
• Air leakage around windows and doors
• Electrical hot spots
• HVAC temperature irregularities
• Radiant heating distribution issues
• Hot-water piping and flow patterns
• Roof or ceiling moisture patterns
• Unusual areas of heat loss or heat gain

A thermal anomaly identifies an area that deserves attention. Additional evaluation may still be needed to determine the exact cause.

Yes. Missing insulation, insulation voids and air leakage can create surface-temperature differences that may become visible with an infrared camera when conditions are appropriate.

Thermal imaging can be particularly useful around exterior walls, attic areas, ceilings, windows, doors and other portions of the building envelope. The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes infrared thermography as a useful tool for identifying insulation deficiencies and air leakage during building-energy evaluations.

Thermal imaging can help identify abnormal heat patterns at accessible electrical panels, breakers, conductors and connections.

An unusually hot component may indicate a condition such as excessive electrical loading, a high-resistance connection, deterioration or another electrical concern. Thermal imaging does not diagnose the exact electrical defect, so significant anomalies may warrant additional evaluation by a qualified electrician.

Thermal imaging can be particularly useful for visualizing heat distribution from radiant floor systems and other hot-water heating components.

It may also help trace active hot-water piping and reveal unusual temperature patterns that suggest flow, distribution or water-heating concerns. The thermal image provides information about where heat is traveling, but additional evaluation may be needed to determine why a system is not performing as expected.

Thermal cameras accurately measure surface-temperature differences when they are used and interpreted correctly, but the meaning of a thermal pattern depends on the surrounding conditions.

Indoor and outdoor temperature differences, sunlight, wind, recent weather, HVAC operation, reflective materials and other factors can affect what appears in the image. That is why Dunsing interprets thermal findings alongside visual observations and other inspection information rather than treating every hot or cold area as a defect.

Thermal imaging can be particularly valuable when:

• Buying a home or commercial property
• Investigating a known or suspected leak
• Evaluating unexplained staining or odors
• A room is unusually difficult to heat or cool
• Insulation problems are suspected
• Electrical overheating is a concern
• Radiant heating or hot-water distribution appears uneven
• Evaluating larger or more complex commercial properties

It can also be useful when there are no obvious visual signs of a problem but other conditions suggest that closer investigation may be worthwhile.

Yes. Meaningful thermal findings identified during the inspection are documented in the written inspection report.

Depending on the condition, the report may include thermal images, observations, moisture readings when used, explanations of what the temperature pattern may indicate and recommendations for additional evaluation when appropriate.

Yes. Thermal imaging can be especially useful in commercial property inspections because larger buildings often contain extensive roof areas, electrical equipment, HVAC systems, building-envelope components and other systems that can benefit from infrared evaluation.

Thermal imaging allows an inspector to scan larger accessible areas efficiently for unusual temperature patterns that may warrant closer investigation.

Dunsing thermal imaging inspections typically start at about $200, with final pricing based primarily on the size of the property and the overall inspection scope.

Larger homes, multi-unit buildings and commercial properties may require additional scanning time and therefore may cost more. Thermal imaging can also be added to a standard inspection when appropriate.