Thermal Imaging for Detection of Defects in Envelopes of Buildings in Use: Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Building Energy Performance

Abstract

The proposed interdisciplinary method of identifying defects in the building envelope insulation enables the user to quickly assess the scale of heat loss problems in occupied buildings. The method rests upon the quantitative analysis of macroscopic infrared images of the buildings. The method was applied in practice to assess effects of thermal upgrade project in Dźbów housing estate in Częstochowa, a city located in southern Poland. The results confirmed the applicability of the method to monitoring energy performance of buildings in use without intervention into the building’s fabric and without disturbing the occupants.