Non-Contact Infrared Themometers

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Non-Contact Infrared Themometers

Marcia Maynard
Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes

I recently became aware of the benefits of owning and using a non-contact infrared thermometer. 

Here is a great link from the NDSU Extension office:
"A simple way homeowners can check their homes for heat loss is with an infrared thermometer. Infrared thermometers vary in cost, but generally are around $50. Depending on the season, a homeowner can find areas in a home where air and heat are leaking. The bigger the difference between the inside and outside temperature the easier it is to detect heat leaks. The North Dakota State University Extension service has developed a publication Determining Insulation and Air Infiltration Levels Using an Infrared Thermometer that describes the process of evaluating your home for heat leaks."

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/structu/ae1373....

I'm shopping for a non-contact infrared thermometer that offers the best value and was surprised to find so many brands available, different features, range of quality, etc.  Anyone using these and have a favorite? Any tips about using them?

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Matt R.
Blue Springs, MO · Member since 2015 · 481 posts · 313 votes
10y
Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:
Any tips about using them?

Keep in mind that the area that it "sees" the temperature of gets wider as you get further away from the surface.  The manual should tell you the width of the area it is measuring, at various distances.  Some of them have an integrated laser pointer, which shows you the center of the area it is measuring, but the total area will be a circle centered on that red dot.  Put an ice cube in the middle of a table and take readings at various distances... if you're next to the ice you'll get pretty close to 32 (or 0), but as you get further away, the temperature will go up.

Also, some materials are better at emitting infrared than others.  If you heated samples of two different materials to the same internal temperature, you would get different amounts of infrared radiation from them.  The measurement of this is called "emissivity" and runs from 0 to 1.  It works out that "most" things have an emissivity of 0.9 or more, so a lot of infrared thermometers used a fixed emissivity value of around 0.9 to 0.95.  Things that are shiny/reflective have lower emissivity, though... if you need to measure things like that, it can help to get a thermometer with adjustable emissivity.

Once you've done everything you can with an infrared thermometer, the next step up is an infrared camera.  These are made by FLIR, who is very, very proud of them.  Usually, somebody like a home inspector buys one for several thousand dollars, and then pays for it a little at a time by using it on many inspections.  You can "see" where the studs are in walls, if a ceiling has water behind it, and even overheated electrical connections.

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  • Account Closed
    Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 256 votes
    10y

    @Marcia Maynard, hello... nifty gadgets indeed... if you're looking to do this on an ad hoc basis, you might want to check with your local utility company to see if they offer free energy analyses first... they may very well offer some incentives for areas they identify that could be improved and you have the work done.

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  • Marcia Maynard
    OP
    Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    @Marcia Maynard, hello... nifty gadgets indeed... if you're looking to do this on an ad hoc basis, you might want to check with your local utility company to see if they offer free energy analyses first... they may very well offer some incentives for areas they identify that could be improved and you have the work done.

    Thanks for the tip. I'll be calling an energy counselor. A quick look at our electric utility website and I found the following:

    "Energy Counselors are more than happy to schedule a site visit to your home. Whether you are concerned with high bills, interested in weatherization or heating information or simply want to ensure your home is not wasting energy, the Clark Public Utilities’ energy counselors are here to help. Interested customers can call (360)XXX-XXXX to speak to an energy counselor and schedule your site visit. Because we don’t sell heating and weatherization equipment and materials, nor do we do the installation, we can give you an objective opinion about which energy-saving measures can, and those that probably won't, save you money."

    "Energy counselors can help you in the following ways:
    * Analyze your home energy use and recommend steps to lower your electric bill.
    * Give you tips on how to winterize your home.
    * Guide you through the process of installing insulation, sealing ducts and selecting a heat pump.
    * Provide you with written information about conservation products, programs and practices.
    * Speak to your neighborhood group, homeowners association or other organization about ways to cut energy waste and the utility’s conservation programs."

    Since we have 16 rental units and three other family properties we upkeep, I want to use the non-contact infrared thermometer to take a quick look at current conditions and see which properties need attention first.

    0Reply
  • Marcia Maynard
    OP
    Investor · Vancouver, WA · Member since 2013 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    10y

    Our local Natural Gas Utility offers this:

    "Reduced-cost weatherization
    Additionally, Energy Trust of Oregon now offers Savings Within Reach to NW Natural customers with household incomes up to 120 percent of the state median income (SMI). Energy efficiency measures may be performed at greatly reduced prices; in some cases, you may be able to pay as little as 20 percent of the total cost of weatherizing your home. This program is ideal for homeowners such as landlords and/or senior citizens living on fixed income. Call 877-XXX-XXXX to find out more."

    Since we cater to low-income and fixed income tenants, this may work well for us!

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  • Account Closed
    Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 654 posts · 256 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:

    Our local Natural Gas Utility offers this:

    "Reduced-cost weatherization
    Additionally, Energy Trust of Oregon now offers Savings Within Reach to NW Natural customers with household incomes up to 120 percent of the state median income (SMI). Energy efficiency measures may be performed at greatly reduced prices; in some cases, you may be able to pay as little as 20 percent of the total cost of weatherizing your home. This program is ideal for homeowners such as landlords and/or senior citizens living on fixed income. Call 877-XXX-XXXX to find out more."

    Since we cater to low-income and fixed income tenants, this may work well for us!

     Awesome!

    0Reply
  • Arlen Chou
    Investor · Los Altos, CA · Member since 2014 · 942 posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    @Marcia Maynard Harbor Freight has them on sale right now for $25.99.  You don't need to be accurate to the nth degree, so this should be more than enough for the occasional use.  

    -Arlen

    0Reply
  • Matt R.
    Blue Springs, MO · Member since 2015 · 481 posts · 313 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Marcia Maynard:
    Any tips about using them?

    Keep in mind that the area that it "sees" the temperature of gets wider as you get further away from the surface.  The manual should tell you the width of the area it is measuring, at various distances.  Some of them have an integrated laser pointer, which shows you the center of the area it is measuring, but the total area will be a circle centered on that red dot.  Put an ice cube in the middle of a table and take readings at various distances... if you're next to the ice you'll get pretty close to 32 (or 0), but as you get further away, the temperature will go up.

    Also, some materials are better at emitting infrared than others.  If you heated samples of two different materials to the same internal temperature, you would get different amounts of infrared radiation from them.  The measurement of this is called "emissivity" and runs from 0 to 1.  It works out that "most" things have an emissivity of 0.9 or more, so a lot of infrared thermometers used a fixed emissivity value of around 0.9 to 0.95.  Things that are shiny/reflective have lower emissivity, though... if you need to measure things like that, it can help to get a thermometer with adjustable emissivity.

    Once you've done everything you can with an infrared thermometer, the next step up is an infrared camera.  These are made by FLIR, who is very, very proud of them.  Usually, somebody like a home inspector buys one for several thousand dollars, and then pays for it a little at a time by using it on many inspections.  You can "see" where the studs are in walls, if a ceiling has water behind it, and even overheated electrical connections.

    1Reply
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