Everyone’s favorite childhood hero, Superman, could use x-ray to see through objects the normal human eye couldn’t. Thanks to modern science non-Kryptonians’s can now harness the same ability. On the other side of the electromagnetic spectrum is infrared light. The use of this light-wave has led to the creation of infrared technology, which has many more useful qualities than Superman’s boring x-ray vision.
Although it is not used to save Lois Lane or find an elderly lady’s cat, infrared technology plays a very important part in our own backyard. Houston commercial property inspection is an important process when shopping for a new office or workspace. Infrared inspections allow the inspector to use thermographic technology to find issues such as poor insulation or electrical components that are too hot or too close to water sources.
How do infrared cameras work? With the use of an infrared still or video camera documents surface temperatures. These images are called thermograms and help give the inspector an idea of what areas that might be an issue. There are many types of thermographic inspection devices such as a spot radiometer, which gives temperature of a certain spot on a wall. On the more advanced side is the thermal imaging camera allowing the inspector to see a two-dimensional picture of the area in question. This infrared device is the best type to use as it gives the viewer an exact image using the color red to show warmth and the colors black and blue to show cold.
When it comes time to perform these sorts of thermographic/infrared inspections, property owners will need to ensure a 20°F temperature difference between the inside and outside temperatures. Although this type of infrared imaging might not be saving the world, it just might save thousands of dollars and one massive headache by doing an in depth thermographic inspection.