Thermal imaging?

[Bienes Raices]

When buying a house, is it worth paying more money for an inspector who does this imaging (infrared) of the panel, walls, etc. or is it overkill?

[Lee Warren]

As an inspector and an investor, I have little different perspective on that. I do energy audits through my inspection company with a thermal imaging camera, but I don't utilize that camera as part of my inspection. There comes a point that you are giving the buyer too much information. The thermal camera is great for detecting air leaks in the house, missing insulation, and other energy related issues. This isn't that important up front, especially to the investor.
With that being said, the camera can also be used to possibly see a water leak behind a wall (when the water is running down that wall), overloaded circuits in the service panel, loose electrical connections at the panel, possible roof leaks (when it's raining), issues with faulty appliances such as ranges, and more. Most of those items can be found without the use of a thermal camera though if the inspector is diligent enough.
Thermal cameras are great tools, and it is likely that the government will start requiring energy audits as part of selling a house (as they have done in Austin, TX). For the traditional buyer or investor, you may be paying more than you need to in order to obtain the information you want.