By Tyler Tallman, Energy Advisor I

Amazing innovations over the last decade have increased the number of opportunities for a contractor to illustrate a compelling argument about what is happening in a house. In home performance, we use tools to help us demonstrate to customers the value of weatherization.

One of our favorites is the compact and versatile thermal imaging camera. Forward looking infrared cameras provide contractors with more than just important objective data; they also allow a customer to easily visualize what they feel when a corner of a bedroom or window is particularly cold.

That visualization, however, is only half the story. Often, without a proper framing, it only serves to confirm what is already known: a room or wall is cold. What is crucial for the contractor-customer interaction is using the camera to explain why the room is that way. A thermal camera can be used as a guide to help the customer have all the information they need to choose the most effective home-improvement measures.

For example, windows will always be a significantly colder spot relative to most walls. We all know most homeowners are concerned about their windows. Still, the most cost-effective solution is to use a thermal camera to verify if the window is actually the source of drafts in the house. Another good option would be to utilize the camera while a blower door is running to reveal air infiltration and advocate for better air-sealing measures. It is much easier to educate a homeowner on a solution when you help them connect the dots with the help of technology.