Infrared Building Thermography: Visualizing Building Energy Performance
James A. D'Aloisio
Abstract:
The amount of energy buildings use to heat and cool their interiors can vary greatly among different
buildings in the same climate region. Some of the differences are due to operator use, lack of
maintenance, or poorly performing mechanical systems. But, the design and construction of the building
envelope can make a huge difference in energy performance. Many times, buildings are designed, built,
and occupied, with no one - not even those who pay for the building's energy usage - knowing how well
or poorly the building is performing. Frequently, a visually hidden flaw creates a condition that allows a
tremendous amount of energy loss that goes undetected for years.
Infrared cameras allow us to "see" the amount of heating energy or cooling energy that escapes from a
building, in a visually dramatic way. Anyone interested in maximizing the energy efficiency of buildings
will find the technology to be a useful and compelling tool in understanding some common patterns of
energy loss and identifying specific areas of improvement in existing buildings.
We'll review several examples of infrared building "signatures" that illustrate some common conditions
of building energy loss. These include: conductive heat loss through highly conductive elements bridging
across insulation (known as thermal bridging); convective heat loss resulting from gaps, or lack of
attention to, the air barrier system which allows conditioned air to pass through walls or wall/roof
intersections; discrete or systemic gaps in insulation coverage; and poorly performing, or poorly located,
mechanical elements.
Building envelope thermography has its limitations, due to the inherent properties of infrared waves,
the influence of solar gain, and other factors. Another limitation is that it produces qualitative
information, not quantitative, regarding building energy loss. We'll present an overview of the basics of
infrared thermography, as well as a list of Do's and Dont’s regarding building thermography.
The intent of the presentation is twofold: To show the capabilities and limitations of infrared imaging to
learn about a building's energy performance, as well as to learn some of the common patterns of
building envelope energy loss, in order to avoid such conditions in future buildings.
Bio:
Mr. D’Aloisio graduated in May 1982 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, with a
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, structural emphasis. He was first employed as a consulting
structural engineer with Lamprecht Consultants/LPJ Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1982; then with
Goldreich, Page & Thropp, P.C., in New York City in 1983; and finally with Weiskopf & Pickworth
Consulting Engineers (W&P) from 1983 to 1987. At W&P, he was involved in the design of mid-rise and
high-rise steel and concrete buildings, as well as rehabilitation projects, investigations, and façade
rehabilitation. In 1987 he relocated to Syracuse, New York, to join Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt as a structural
engineer. In 1992 he became a Principal of the firm. Currently he serves as Secretary-Treasurer for the
Corporation.
 Current Chair of USGBC NY Upstate Chapter. Past Board member, Advisory Panel member,
Program Committee Chair, and Nominating Committee Chair.
 Former USGBC National Board Member (2009)
 Member and Past President of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Syracuse Section
Steering Committee
 Member of the Sustainability Committee of the ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute
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Chair of the Thermal Bridging Working Group (since 2010)
Chair of the ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute’s Thermal Steel Bridging Task Committee
(since 2010)
Member of SUN (Sustainable Upstate Network)