There's no denying that it will always remain expensive to heat and cool a large commercial property. Yet that doesn't mean that there aren't ways to keep the costs as low as possible. Eliminating frequent sources of energy loss is a great way to do this. If you would like to learn more about where such losses occur, and what you can do about them, read on. This article will discuss the benefits of thermal imaging in detecting two common energy loss sources.

Thermal Imaging

Thermal imaging is a revolutionary technique for detecting air and heat leaks, which are the principal forms of energy loss. As its name would suggest, the technique of thermal imaging allows the user to visualize temperature differences. This is accomplished through the use of infrared cameras. Air leaks, which correspond to places where cool air is penetrating from outside, generally appear as darker colors.

Heat leaks, on the other hand, turn up in thermal imaging as colors that are brighter than the surrounding room. Whereas air leaks are generally the result of poor insulation, heat leaks can be caused by a variety of factors. These can include damaged HVAC equipment, overheating motors, and corrosion. Below you will learn more about three common areas where such heat leaks are frequently detected with thermal imaging.

Duct System

The ducts that are utilized in delivering heated (and cooled) air to your commercial building represent one of its greatest potential sources of energy leaks. The problem here may be poor insulation. Yet corrosion, cracks, and other unintended gaps in the duct system may also play a large effect, especially in the areas where one or more ducts come together. An HVAC technician can easily spot such leak points through the use of thermal imaging.

Electrical Problems

Another common source of heat leaks--yet one which can be easily overlooked--are the places where HVAC appliances are connected to your building's electrical system. Loose and/or corroded connections are an especial problem. They can increase the amount of electrical resistance, which can in turn cause appliances to become overheated. Not only that, but the close proximity between electrical connections and temperature sensors means that your HVAC system may not be able to accurately monitor the temperature of its components.

Motors And Generators

Motors and generators are an integral part of an HVAC system. They are utilized in powering such things as furnace blowers, elevators, and air conditioners. Yet they are also a common source of leaking energy. This is especially true when there is not sufficient airflow around such items. By using thermal imaging to detect this sort of problem, appropriate changes can be made to ventilate motors and generators and thus reduce unwanted heat output.