Thermal imagers highlight the quality of new homes

Australia’s growing population has caused a significant increase in the number of houses built. In fact, new build numbers have been so strong in the past 12 months they have broken a 20-year record.

According to the Housing Industry Association, there were close to 190,000 new dwellings built in 2014. This tops the previous 1994 record of 187,000. With Australia’s population set to top 24 million in the coming months, there is no sign of this trend abating anytime soon.

However, the concern with a construction increase is that the quality of the homes will drop. With building teams under pressure to complete jobs, there could be a tendency for some to miss key components leaving a house structurally inept.

If construction managers wish to avoid this costly and reputation-hurting situation, then a thermal imager could be the answer.

Here are two reasons why a thermal imager is important for ensuring building quality:

1) Accurate results 

A completed house might look finished to the naked eye, but under the microscope of a thermal imager, this might not be the case. Heat losses from doors, windows or structural bearings are clearly highlighted in the display alerting construction teams to the problem.

Testo’s wide range of thermal imagers can also detect high humidity and areas of air permeability in a building, problems that could impact resident’s health over time. Thermal imagers can also illustrate problems in the insulation or building damage without breaking walls – key when time is of the essence.

2) Proof to owners and authorities

Although building jobs are finished faster, there is no doubt that the level of compliance across all states and territories is increasing in Australia. For builders, this makes it vital that you can prove to both the home owner and relevant authorities that the job is up to standard.

One way to show this is through data collected on a thermal imager. The display will show that the building isn’t losing heat or showing any other signs that the construction is not up to standard.

As a result, all parties can be happy with the completed job and construction teams can move onto their next assignment.

What thermal device is right?

Testo have a number of thermal imagers available depending on your price range and industry. Talk to our expert team today to find out which model is right for you.