Infrared cameras are used to conduct thermographic inspections of buildings using either video or still cameras. An infrared camera can detect poorly insulated areas of a building.
Infrared
Infrared cameras see the heat spectrum of light, showing warm surfaces as white and cold in black. Different colors between black and white show the surface temperature of walls for a home energy inspections.
Insulation
Thermographic inspections can be used for quality control of areas that have already been insulated. Interior inspections are the most common, because escaping cold air does not always travel in a straight line, meaning an exterior scan can show cold air that originates elsewhere.
Blower
A blower door test is often conducted with an infrared inspection. A blower door test uses a powerful fan to drag as much air out of a building as possible, lowering the air pressure. The higher pressured cold air of the outdoor environment is dragged into the house through unsealed cracks and openings.