January 2008

COLD CALLS

Mentor couple use thermal imaging to identify
inefficiencies in homes, commercial properties
Brandon C Baker, News-Herald

Mark and Joan Giardini started their business partly on the belief that homeowners and business owners should look after their properties as closely as they would their own health.

The Mentor couple's company, Infrared Inspection Technologies LLC, offers preventive measures not unlike a yearly checkup at the doctor's or dentist's office. Using a thermal imaging camera, the Giardinis intend to find anything and everything that could be wrong with a structure.

"What it's doing for the customer is preventing losses," Mark said. "It's no different than if you had a (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) piece of equipment and you do your yearly check, like a furnace in your home... it's cost avoidance."

The company's infrared technology comes from Flir Systems, a designer and manufacturer of thermal imaging camera systems, with U.S. corporate offices in Boston and Portland, Ore. Last year Mark and his son Nicholas, attended Flir training in Boston to become certified thermographers.

The inspection process begins with Mark arriving at a residence or business with his tools, including the camera, meters and spot temperature sensors. Much like a digital camera, the infrared one holds all of the snapshot images he would take of the property. He also has Flir computer software designed to analyze the images and make recommendations.

"I would do a complete scan of the interior of the house (or commercial building)," said Mark, who has worked in building construction and management for 30 years. "If I find things that are just not ordinary, I could actually go outside, look at the windows and the perimeter of the house."

The technology typically finds problems like roofing leaks, building envelope heat loss, improperly installed devices and other mechanical issues. Other problems can arise around wall sockets, doorjambs and windows. The software and high-tech camera provide clarity by allowing the user to view any single pixel in an image to determine the exact temperature of an area.

Joe Sullens, co-owner of Jennifer & Co. Hair Salon in Mentor, said his property passed the checkup with no problem. Still he had Infrared Inspection perform one just to be safe.

"Basically, it was about trying to see if I had any electrical issues," Sullen said. "We had just moved into the building two years ago, and we never had that done."

"We didn't find anything wrong with the building, but it's nice to know if everything you have is functioning."

Joan said the company has performed inspections for area schools, restaurants and industrial complexes. They don't perform the repairs themselves, but serve as advisors. They also can come back and inspect the repairs to assure the homeowner or property owner that a contractor did a good job.

They also agree that the inspections can help processors save energy and fight utility costs by being aware of existing problems. It (thermal inspection) also can verify work done in new constructions.

"I think some people have a year after they build a house, if they have a warranty," Joan said. "You don't know or suspect (if there are problems) because it's brand new and it looks great."

Mark said the company charges about $300 for an inspection of a home around 2,500 square feet and less than $1,000 for a bigger warehouse.

"I thought it was just a great idea to go out and help people," Mark said. "Basically finding problems before, in some cases, they cause more damage."