One of the many tools in the toolbelt of a professional home inspector is the mighty infrared camera. Thermal imaging is used to identify the general temperature of areas or objects. The camera does this by measuring the infrared energy and displaying it on the camera’s screen as a recognizable image.
While this is a very interesting technology, the real benefit of thermal imaging is not from the camera or even the image itself. The real benefit comes from an experienced home inspector who knows what he’s looking at and who knows what he’s looking for. This is a lot like an x-ray, a sonogram, or CAT scan that a doctor would provide you – the image itself might be recognizable, but we ultimately need the help of a professional to know what it really means for us. Similarly, the experience and training of a professional home inspector are what really bring value to the use of thermal imaging.
