Infrared scanner showed us our insulation issues ...

**ironmaiden** · 11-28-2005, 05:02 PM

As part of the energy audit, we had the option of paying $150 for an infrared scan of our house. My husband is an engineer who works with this stuff and loved it. It shows where the house is hot and cold - red, blue and in between. We could even see where all the studs were. We will get all the pictures on a CD and a full report. But my husband hung over the guys shoulder the whole time and ...

We have a 1920's house. We knew that there were places we had insulation and places we didn't. We didn't want to drill holes every few feet just to check if we did have insulation in spots - which is what the insulation contractor wanted to do. There were areas where we had none although we had some above and below cross beams within the studs. There were areas that the insulation had settled over the years. There were areas scattered all over the house that didn't have insulation. Now we know where we do and don't have insulation. And this will be the next problem we address in our house.

We didn't do a blower test as the guy found some asbestos in the cellar.

**Katybird** · 11-28-2005, 05:22 PM

That is so cool. It will sure save you time and money by knowing where you need to address the insulation issues. I am sorry to hear that you found asbestos in your cellar though. I imagine that most older houses have it in some quanities in them though.

Thanks for sharing the information that you got in energy audit with us in your threads today. It is really sweet of you to share it with us. I know I can use every bit of energy saving information I can get.

**Early Bird** · 11-28-2005, 06:10 PM

Wow!!!! I never heard of such a thing, but it sounds like a good idea. Wonder if DH is interested? Now I can't wait for him to come home and talk it over!!!

But, my DH would probably want to BUY the infrared machine! I swear! Bless his heart, that man has more tools than can fit in a good-sized workshop!

**ironmaiden** · 11-28-2005, 07:00 PM

Unless he has a spare $10,000, I doubt you'll pick up your own infrared scanner

The ones DH uses at work are $250,000.

**Early Bird** · 11-28-2005, 08:40 PM

Yikes! $10k! I don't think he'll be getting one THIS year!

**jlxian** · 11-29-2005, 03:09 PM

Wow. I've often thought having one of those tests done on our house would be a good thing --- although we might hate to find out the REAL condition of things.

Your experience will help me consider it as a more real possibility.