I used a heat camera to find air leaks and save the air conditioning this summer

My town house with two bedrooms fights for it Keep comfortable temperatures Upstairs in extreme weather. Over the years I have tried everything to manage the summer heat. The move of my bed from the scorching main bedroom (now my home office) to a smaller bedroom helped me better to sleep better. My DIY ventilation system brings cool air at night, while a portable air conditioning system complements the central alternating current system in the hottest weather. I even plan intelligent blinds to block direct sunlight as far as possible. Plus FansMany fans.

Although these strategies have made a difference, I have reached the limits of the most important changes that I can do as a tenant – at least if I want to be lower energy bills. Now I have a new tool to find efficiency options: a heat camera. I recently got a rehearsal from that into my hands HSSTFOOLS Finder S2 Thermal camera, so I carried out a DIY household audit to look for air leaks that could have an impact on how I cool my home.

An overview of the HSFTool Finder S2

I will hold a detailed review of the HSFTool Finder S2 because I only have limited experiences with thermal cameras, but I will mention some functions that helped with my energy audit. First, this thermal imager is connected to the USB-C connection on Android smartphones, but does not support iPhones. (Apple users should consider checking them Topdon TC002C Instead.) I love the option to automatically start the app when the camera is plugged in.

Unfortunately, the Finder S2 needs a lot of electricity – the battery of my phone after 10 minutes by about 4%. This has no influence on the short inspections of smaller houses, but you have to recharge your phone after a long use. (For a better battery life, I suggest obtaining an independent handheld model if you often use a heat camera.)

Even if you switch on the S2 Finder's super resolving mode, maximize the total resolution at 512 x 384, which is lower than the standard quality of 480p. It is more than enough to recognize temperature differences to windows during an energy audit, but you may have to play around with the settings if you want to use it for creative work.

Activating the digital camera setting shows a view from the camera of your phone on the screen with the option for saving images – but not from videos – from both cameras at the same time. With regard to videos, I couldn't get the Finder S2 up and running unless I turned the picture 90º in the app.

I appreciate the large selection of color pallets in the HSFTools app. My favorite coloring position is “white hot” due to the high contrast image compared to other modes. The excellent measuring tools of the app indicate the temperature of the hottest and coldest objects on the screen or a certain point that you select. I love guessing the assumption of the home improvement.

You can get the Finder S2 for about 250 US dollars – although it is often for 170 US Flir a gene 3 And Find thermally compact. While the price for a mid-range infrared camera is good, remember that you may only use it a few times-it is often better to pay for a professional household check. (Don't forget to check HSSTFOOLS Finder S2 Was more than sufficient for my DIY Home Energy Audit.

How I used a heat camera in my home energy audit

After I had familiarized myself with the thermal image, I followed a structured approach to find problem areas. I followed this thermal image inspection guidelines of the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (Internachi).

Read more: Stop installing your thermostat here. It costs you money

I switched off my HLK system before I closed my windows and my front door. Internachi's Guide recommends testing in a day when the temperature differences in the free 15 ° f up to 20ºF is warmer (or cooler), so I chose a rainy spring day for my audit. I was glad to see that my window seals were in good condition. However, I discovered a small, driven gap under my front door, which I filled out of the hardware store with foam rod.

The implementable part of my Home -Energy audit initially ends at doors and windows, but there is much more for homeowners who can see themselves. The Ministry of Energy suggests checking wherever they suspect air leaks or poor insulation, especially the fittings, on the edges of the rooms and between different building materials, and between different building materials.

While the repetition seals and the replacement of Weather -Street -in -Fenen -DIY projects need more money and time to improve insulation within walls. Fortunately, you can see Energy Star's savings tools from Energy Star to see incentives, discounts and tax credits in your region. If you are a tenant, you should inform your landlord about these resources.