For us to get the most accurate results from a thermal imaging survey for our clients, we need to consider several environmental factors, as good environmental conditions are required for thermal imaging. The optimum weather conditions are:
- Weather Conditions: wherever possible we need to undertake the survey whilst trying to avoid rain, fog, and high humidity, as they can reduce image clarity. Surveys should be conducted in stable weather.
- Sunlight Exposure: we cannot undertake a thermal inspection during the day, as direct sunlight can distort thermal readings. The best times for imaging are early morning or late evening, when solar interference is minimal. In winter this is usually around 6.00-7.00am,’ however, in summer this can be as early as 4.00-5.00am
- Temperature Differences: A minimum 10°C difference between the inside and outside of a building is ideal for detecting heat loss in the building envelope, as it will provide an acceptable temperature differential between the internal and external envelope.
- Wind Speed: it most instances, it best to keep wind speeds below 10 mph to prevent heat dispersion and ensure accurate readings.
- Surface Properties: Different materials emit heat differently, so adjusting camera settings accordingly is crucial, i.e. wall cladding will have a different emissivity to masonry.
- Seasonal Timing: Winter generally provides better contrast for building inspections, making it a preferred time for surveys.
Improve Speed and Efficiency with Infrared Surveys:
Traditional inspection methods, while effective in many situations, can be time-consuming, especially when issues are concealed behind surfaces or in hard-to-reach areas such as roofs etc. Thermal imaging, however, provides near-instant results by scanning large areas quickly. This rapid feedback allows for more immediate diagnosis, which is especially important in situations where time is of the essence, such as in emergency assessments.
Improve Health & Safety with Thermographic Inspections
Traditional inspection methods, often require access scaffold and/or large motorised access equipment to reach areas. Thermal imaging negates the need for access equipment, which reduces the associated health and safety issues of working at height, one of the biggest killers in the construction industry. In a nutshell thermal imaging can improve health and safety in the workplace.
Contact us now for your thermal imaging survey
Some of the issues listed above can be reduced by using highly experienced personnel with the latest high sensitivity cameras. At APT Sound Testing, our thermographers are trained to level 3, and we only use the latest Flir high resolution 480 x 640 cameras. We also use the latest ‘inhouse’ trend analysis thermal imaging software to quickly analyse and report our findings after every infrared survey.
For more information on our infrared thermal imaging service, please contact Darren on 07775 623464, or email us at info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk
# About the Author
Darren Helliwell is a building performance specialist with over 25 years of hands-on experience leveraging thermal imaging, blower door testing, and smoke analysis to optimise air tightness in both new-build and refurbishment projects such as Battersea Power Station, Imperial War Museum and Harrods.
Using advanced infrared thermal imaging cameras alongside state-of-the-art blower door and smoke-testing equipment, Darren’s team delivers detailed thermographic surveys across residential and commercial buildings. These thermal imaging surveys pinpoint invisible air leaks, identify insulation defects, and reveal thermal bridging—empowering architects, contractors, and property owners to make targeted, energy-saving improvements.
Darren’s ongoing mission is to help design teams and contractors harness the power of thermal imaging to achieve truly airtight, energy-efficient building envelopes. By reducing heat loss and driving down energy bills, his thermography expertise supports sustainable, cost-effective construction and refurbishment outcomes.
Connect with Darren Helliwell:
[Thermal Imaging Surveys] Thermal Imaging Surveys | APT Building Thermography Reports [APT Email] info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk [LinkedIn] https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-helliwell-78789b26