Thermal Energy Heat Loss Study

National Solarcrete, Inc commissioned a comparative heat loss analysis between Solarcrete buildings and conventional buildings located in the greater Chicago area.

On January 13th, 2000, the thermal imaging analysis was preformed on several Solarcrete buildings plus a variety of other buildings that use conventional construction methods. Although scientific theory and past performance history of energy use data showed Solarcrete buildings to be more energy efficient, a thermal imaging camera would give more proof visually.

A thermal imaging camera works by capturing the infrared heat signatures and puts that information into the form of a digital picture. This picture shows the different surface temperatures graphically which helps to show the difference of heat loss of different building methods and materials.

Below is a digital picture of the thermal imaging camera that was used in these heat loss studies on the various buildings.

The next few pages will show the digital images and the thermal images of different buildings. One item that you need to look closely at on these pictures is the temperature gauge. It is NOT the same on each photo. Some gauges will have larger ranges from the hi to low temperatures than others. This gives a better detailed look at the main parts of the building when the temperature range is small or is distorted due to a very hot or cold object in the picture. ( ie. an outdoor light bulb)

The thermal images for this analysis study were taken from approximately 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM. The ambient outside temperature range was from 20 to 24 deg. F. The indoor temperature ranges were all similar, since all of the buildings were occupied and heated.