Thermal imaging.
Insulation provides resistance to heat flow. The more heat flow resistance your insulation provides, the lower your heating and cooling costs. Properly insulating your home not only reduces your energy costs but also improves comfort.¹
Thermal imaging can locate insulation defects in ceilings and walls without the need to remove wall linings or clamber about in dark, pokey and dangerous roof spaces. Our high-resolution thermal cameras can detect and record gaps or poorly installed insulation in walls and ceilings quickly and effectively.
Thermal imaging lets you view infrared energy (the heat radiating from an object) which is not visible to the naked eye. The warmer an object is, the more infrared energy it radiates. The thermal camera captures images of the infrared energy given off by the surfaces in your home and shows where temperatures vary by displaying temperatures as different colours.
Learn more about heat flow and insulation below. Fees for our thermal imaging service can be found here.
How does heat flow?
Heat flow involves three basic mechanisms - conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction is the way heat moves through materials, such as when a spoon placed in a hot cup of coffee and conducts heat through its handle to your hand. Convection is the way heat circulates through liquids and gases, and is why lighter, warmer air rises, and cooler, denser air sinks in your home. Radiant heat, such as the warmth from the sun, travels in a straight line and heats anything solid in its path that absorbs its energy.
Most insulation materials work by slowing conductive heat flow and, to a lesser extent, convective heat flow. Reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat transfer.
Where does heat flow?
Regardless of the mechanism, heat flows from warmer areas to cooler areas until there is no longer a temperature difference. This means that in your home in winter, heat flows directly from all heated living spaces to adjacent unheated roof spaces, garages, subfloor spaces and to the outdoors. Heat flow can also move between rooms through interior walls and ceilings when there is a difference in temperature. During summer, heat flows from the outdoors into your home.
To maintain comfort, the heat lost in winter must be replaced by your heating system, and the heat gained in summer must be removed by your cooling system. Properly insulating your home will decrease this heat flow and reduce or remove the need for energy-guzzling heating and cooling systems.
R-values and types of insulation
An insulating material’s resistance to conductive heat flow is rated in terms of its thermal resistance or R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness. The R-value depends on the type of insulation, its thickness and density.
There are a wide variety of insulating materials available. They vary in terms of:
composition (e.g. fibreglass, polyester, wool, cellulose, polystyrene, polyurethane, rock wool)
form (e.g. batts, rolls, loose-fill, sheets)
how and where they are installed
whether they are recycled or recyclable and
R-value.
The link between insulation and air leakage
It is important to note that insulation alone cannot replace the need for proper air sealing in order to reduce heat flow through your home’s building envelope. Together, insulation and air sealing are the keys to an energy-efficient and comfortable home. One without the other just doesn’t make sense - a well-insulated house that leaks air like a sieve will still be unnecessarily uncomfortable and expensive to live in.
Our science team know from first-hand experience that homeowners in the Canberra region can save up to 30% on heating and cooling costs simply by sealing and insulating.¹
Read more about air leakage and our air leakage testing service here.
References
¹ ACT Government (2003), Outreach Energy and Water Efficiency Program Case study report – Sect. 3.4 p16 http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/581608/Outreach_Energy_and_Water_Efficiency_program.pdf