Thermal camera, anyone? If you haven’t heard about the infrared wonder, it’s about time you grace your precious abode with one — especially in sweater weather. The truth is there never is a better time than winter to make the most of a thermal camera for your home.

 

Thermal imaging works best in winter because of the huge difference between the temperatures indoors and outdoors. Thus, you can spot energy fluctuations at home faster making your place more energy efficient and safer.

 

In this post, we’re going to show you why a thermal camera is most advisable come wintertime. What’s more, we’re giving you timely tips on how to make the most of the technology to diminish energy efficiencies at home and save big time, not to mention keep you and everyone in the family safe and sound when the mercury falls. Read on.

 

 

The Energy Dracula Called Winter

 

Winter, no doubt, is the coldest season of the year. And if trends won’t be reversed, things might get bleaker before they get better. As pundits put it “climate change is fueling extreme weather.”

 

Of course, that’s debatable. But reality bites. America was in for one unpleasant surprise when the winter in 2022 got even chillier. Worse, millions lost their power as gigantic winter storms pummel Uncle Sam’s nation.

 

Now, if you’re thinking winter is a wonderland where the yuletide season along with Black Friday has everyone in celebration mode, think again. Chances are your precious abode chomp on energy much more than in the summertime. Below are the most common ways this happens:

 

• Heating: Simply put, you need to stay warm so your heating bill spikes up into a number that government agencies average at $1,208 — and increasing, CNN reports. That’s over 30% higher than in past winters.

 

• Winterizing: Prepping your precious abode for the harsh, cold weather translates to replacing insulation, repairing gutters, and ensuring the boiler or furnace is in tip-top shape.

 

• Power Bills: Shorter days in winter means you need to turn on the lights more. Plus, heating systems require electricity or fuel. All in all, this means you’ll end up with a bigger power bill when the snow starts to fall.

 

• Energy Gaps: While you winterize your precious abode, energy gaps turn it all upside down. Gaps in your walls, doors, and windows mean heat escapes as cold air comes in. In short, your heating system has to work harder to give you the comfort you need. In the end, you lose energy big time.

 

Indeed, winter costs more energy consumption than summer.  That’s true even if your thermostat settings stay constant. That’s because you’ll have to run the heat machine longer for your home to heat up.

 

Figure 1: Why do you consume more energy in winter? Graphics courtesy of Midwest Electric, Co.

 

In the end, winter becomes the energy sucker, a Dracula of sorts, siphoning precious dollars away to give you the comfort you need in sweater weather.

 

 

How a Thermal Camera Is Your Best Ally in Winter 

 

But all is not a lost cause. With a thermal camera in hand, you should be able to minimize your energy losses. Take note that an infrared camera is not a camera in the actual sense of the word. That’s because it does not act like one and does not give you pictures as your handheld smartphone does. 

 

Instead, a thermal camera detects the presence of infrared light. In doing so, it can show us the degree of heat present in a particular object without even touching that object. As a result, the device can measure temperatures much more extreme than your everyday thermometer. 

 

The best part’s winter offers the most opportune time to use a thermal camera. As the temperature outside and inside is vastly different than at any time of the year, the device can detect leaks in your precious abode faster.

 

Below are the most common ways how a thermal camera can cut costs in winter:

 

 

 

Water Leak Detector

 

Water may not cost as much as electricity or gas but it can still add up. When you look at your monthly expenses, a hundred dollars here and there can easily compound things. 

 

For many homeowners, fire has been a most feared scenario. But the truth of the matter is that water cause more damage than fire in a home. In fact, insurance companies data show water damage is 10 times more than the damage brought by fire. 

 

Water leaks are even more sinister during wintertime. And to tell you, you should keep a close eye on your water pipes. Why? The answer lies in the water itself. 

 

As temperature freezes, water expands. When that happens, this causes your pipes to crack or even burst. If not addressed immediately, you’re looking at structural damage that comes with a broken plumbing system. Worse, water leak problem manifests usually when it’s brought about major damage. 

 

Thermal Camera to the Rescue: 

 

With an infrared device, you can detect water leaks without having to resort to destructive testing. As a thermal camera can detect the subtlest of temperature differences, you can point out the existence of water where it shouldn’t be. 

 

 

 

Heating Leak Detector

 

There’s no other recourse but to heat up one’s home during winter. Though there are many ways to do it, it all boils down to one thing: added costs. The problem is that whatever method you use to heat up, there are many ways the energy gets wasted. 

Here’s a brief look at how America heats up during winter:

Table 1: Estimated Number of American Homes and Their Energy Use in Winter  Source: Foxweather.com based on the United States Census

 

Thermal Camera to the Rescue: 

 

Transmission leaks do happen and when electricity or fuel escapes that translate to the dollar down the drain. As energy leaks, temperature could drop or rise depending on the situation. Such changes in temperature register in a thermal scanner. The same holds true for energy leaks inside the home. You can pinpoint where energy is escaping your precious abode by scanning for temperature loss in suspected places. Indeed, a leak-free home is the most energy-efficient abode.

 

 

 

Animal Invasion Detector

 

As the temperature drops, animals have to find shelter to survive. It’s not surprising that animals that sneak in during the cold months are bigger compared to those in hotter weather. Indeed, these animals seek warmth to protect themselves from the extreme weather. 

 

They can find comfort in your crawl spaces. basements or the higher ground such as the attic. Some of these pesky animals are: 

 

• Snakes
• Mice and rats
• Squirrels (a family usually)
• Bats
• Racoons

 

Snakes are cold-blooded and can’t regulate their body temperature so they seek warmth from their environment. If they are poisonous, they can become a massive threat to the safety of the family. Worse, these pests could bear young while staying in the quiet of your home. 

 

While you can go to extreme measures such as this Maryland homeowner who burned down her abode to rid of snakes, there are better ways to contain the situation without getting hurt. 

 

The good news is usually you’ll have to deal with mice, rats, and squirrels as these species invade homes during winter 80% of the time. Still, it can be a major problem as not only do these critters bite, but they can also carry diseases. 

 

Thermal Camera to the Rescue: 

 

Though critters may not be shy about entering your home, they cannot escape the prying eyes of a thermal camera. Even if they creep into your attic, sneak under your floorboards, or hide in your walls, thermal imaging can detect their body temperature as they radiate heat. So, the next time you hear a bump in the night, don’t just carry a flashlight, let the thermal camera do its part. 

 

 

 

Fever Detector

 

Well, there’s no going about it. At the advent of the pandemic, America lost over 1 million lives. That’s one life too many. 

 

While the virus is largely under wraps, there still is a need to be vigilant about it. This is exactly why being able to detect fever, a warning sign of being infected, is thinking straight. The problem is using traditional temperature sensors carries risks. They could mean being in contact with a virus carrier. 

 

Imagine having a relative from afar come by your precious abode. Or worse, a stranger salesman. You put yourself in danger by just interacting with the person. 

 

Take note that winter is when diseases abound. Small wonder it’s called the flu season. Flu viruses are rampant during these times. And yes, stats show there are more deaths in the wintertime than during the warmer month. Cold-related deaths are 8 to 12 percent higher during these times compared to non-winter months. 

 

Thermal Camera to the Rescue: 

 

This is where a thermal camera is most useful. With thermal imaging, you need not be in contact with a person who’s sick to get his/her temperature. You can do it from a distance. A thermal camera gun can scan for irregular temperatures to keep everyone in the family safe and sound. 

 

 

Why PerfectPrime?

 

PerfectPrime has supplied the world with top-notch infrared devices without the heavy price tag. The technology behind each machine comes from leading experts in Germany. Best of all, we provide the support and the service you need to bring warmth to your home when winter comes. 

 

In short, you can bank on PerfectPrime thermal cameras and products. But don’t take our word for it. For one, we’ve been listed as a top infrared camera manufacturer by world-renowned industry expert reviewers such as us.metoree.com. 

The smiles in our clientele are the most worthy story to tell. Our patrons stand witness to how our products change lives for the better. Come winter time. Come any weather. Starting with a most dependable thermal camera at a far lesser cost.