Thermal Imaging Surveys: What They Reveal and Why They're Useful for Irish Homes

When you think of energy loss in the home, most people picture draughty windows or under-insulated attics. But some of the biggest inefficiencies are invisible — hidden in the walls, roofs, and junctions of your home. That’s where thermal imaging (also called thermography) comes in.

At Q50, we use thermal imaging to help Irish homeowners detect problems that aren’t always visible to the eye, saving time, money, and energy in both new builds and retrofit projects.

What is a Thermal Imaging Survey?

Thermal imaging uses an infrared camera to capture temperature variations across surfaces in your home. It produces colourful images showing where heat is escaping or collecting, and helps identify problems like:

●     Missing or poorly installed insulation

●     Thermal bridges (cold spots where heat escapes)

●     Air leakage points

●     Damp or moisture intrusion

●     Overheating electrical systems (in some cases)

The process is non-invasive and can be done quickly, ideally during colder months when the contrast between indoor and outdoor temperatures is most useful.

Why It's Especially Helpful for Existing Homes

If your home is already built, you can’t always see where insulation is missing or where draughts are occurring. A thermal survey:

●     Shows you exactly where to focus upgrades

●     Helps to identify missing or misplaced insulation

●     Verifies the quality of previous retrofit jobs

For example, you might learn that your attic is well-insulated but the floor-wall junction is a major source of heat loss. That’s insight you wouldn’t get from a BER alone.

How Thermal Imaging Helps New Builds

In new homes, thermal imaging can identify insulation gaps before finishes are applied. It’s particularly useful for verifying that insulation has been installed evenly, and that there are no unexpected cold spots due to workmanship issues.

It’s often paired with air tightness testing, providing a complete picture of how your building envelope is performing.

What to Expect During a Survey

At Q50, we conduct surveys with professional-grade infrared equipment. A standard home assessment includes:

●     A walk-through of key rooms and external walls

●     Images of heat loss areas with explanations

●     A summary report identifying defects or weaknesses

●     Recommendations on how to improve efficiency

Surveys typically take 1–2 hours, depending on the size of the home, and results are delivered quickly.

Real Examples of What We Find

Here are some common findings from Q50’s past surveys:

●     Detached homes with gaps in external wall insulation

●     Dormer windows with thermal bridging due to poor roof detailing

●     New builds where insulation was compressed or not continuous at joist levels

●     Renovated properties where old elements were left untreated (e.g. floors or inner walls)

These issues often go unnoticed until energy bills remain high, even after upgrade works.

When is the Best Time to Book a Survey?

Thermal imaging works best in the winter months — typically October to March — when the temperature difference between inside and outside is at least 10°C. This makes any heat loss clearly visible.

Evening or early morning inspections often yield the best contrast for imaging, especially if there’s sunlight glare on external walls during the day.

How It Fits with Other Services

Thermal imaging complements many of Q50’s other services:

●     It pinpoints air leaks for follow-up air tightness testing

●     It visually supports BER assessments and post-upgrade evaluations

●     It validates work before and after grant-funded projects

It’s a fast, cost-effective way to gain clarity on your home’s real-world energy performance.

Seeing is Believing

Many homeowners suspect they’re losing heat — but aren’t sure where or how. A thermal imaging survey from Q50 gives you the visual proof, technical insight, and practical next steps to improve your home.

Whether you're building new, retrofitting, or just curious about where your heat is going, thermal imaging is a smart, data-driven way to make better decisions.

To book a thermal imaging survey, call Chris Moore on 086 313 0970 or email chris@q50.ie