The BRE, Government’s Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme recommends infrared 'Thermography' tests on buildings to assess their thermal performance and to identify the patterns of heat loss/cold intrusion. Through the use of thermal imaging devices, a building surfaces thermal efficiency can be easily visualised and quantified. The illustration on the left is achieved by the use of a thermal imaging camera. The blue areas indicate the effective insulation, while the red, orange and yellow areas indicate inefficient insulation ... or the lack thereof.The resulting increase of heating costs in the winter, and cooling costs in the summer, have a negative effect upon the Owners of this home. Equally, the environment suffers also.

In this illustration the levels of heat loss are not only clearly indicated, but are complemented by a legend that indicates the difference in temperatures emanating from the surface of the building. Commonly, roof insulation has been installed. However, all too often, little or no consideration is given the buildings outer walls. The results of this omission are clearly revealed here.Had Apollo's reflective heat barriers been applied to this building, the result would not have been nearly so colourful. 

Here, we show a photograph of part of a newly constructed dwelling house. One can understand the reluctance to fit traditional insulation on the outer roofed portion of this building as its proportions would dramatically increase in size. The construction cost would consequently increase, while the aesthetic impression would suffer. A thermal imaging camera clearly shows the results of the approach taken to insulating this portion of the building. The blue areas clearly demonstrate the intrusion of cold temperatures from outside.The application of an Apollo radiant heat barrier would have completely changed the picture, with a resultant change in the need for increased heating costs.

Of course, the transference of temperatures applies to the need for heat retention in cold climatic conditions, and the restriction of heat intrusion in hot climatic conditions. In the height of summer, the picture on the right would take on a very different tone. The blue colours would be replaced by oranges and reds, and the air-conditioners would be working furiously to redress the balance.

Obtain further details about BRE., the company that provided the top left thermal image, or register for a free building project consultation, contact:- Design Advice,BRE, Garston, WatfordHertfordshire WD25 9XXUnited KingdomTel +44 (0)1923 664258 Fax +44 (0) 1923 664787 Email DesignAdvice@bre.co.uk

The contact details of the company that provided the thermo-graphic images on this page, are as follows:-Thermografie MaschkeSchwarzwaldstrasse 11D - 75173 Pforzheim, GermanyTel. +49 (0) 7231 209314 Fax +49 (0) 7231 209315Email info@thermografie.com