When it comes to energy performance studies in complex facilities like campuses, large multi-family communities, hospitals, or commercial complexes your average operations department might not be fully equipped for the task. But don’t worry – most of the tools you need are easily accessible and user-friendly. Infrared cameras, for instance, aren’t just for spotting heat loss. They’re excellent for detecting roof leaks, identifying flashing issues around roofs and windows, spotting moisture problems in masonry walls, flagging failing circuit breakers, and even pinpointing overheating motors.
It’s important to know what tools you and your team will need and also how to get the most out of them. Required tools for any consultant or building operations team include:
Moisture Meter with Probe – The Delmhorst BD-2100 is available online for about $415. Operation of this piece of equipment is simple. We generally use the meter to verify moisture intrusion issues in the gypsum board (drywall). The presence of moisture can suggest wet insulation, which will not provide the expected performance, plus the possible presence of mold within the wall system.
With your infrared camera you can look for obvious thermal differences on the interior of an outside wall where there should be none. The moisture meter will help you determine whether a thermal anomaly picked up with the infrared camera is caused by moisture or by missing or inadequate insulation.
After a heavy rain or in a room that sees periodic flooding, use the moisture meter by pushing the probes fully into the sheetrock below the left and right corners of windows and directly above the base molding on exterior walls. Readings over 0.5% moisture can suggest the presence of excess moisture. Compare these exterior wall readings with baseline measurements from interior walls.
It is important to use these tools to their full capacity. All too often, an energy auditor will overlook serious building problems simply because they are not energy issues. The possible presence of mold is probably of greater importance to a building owner than a thermal leak. Mold represents a risk that must be managed quickly.
Light Meter – The Extech SDL400 Light Meter/Datalogger is available online for about $315. The meter will store readings and export logged data into Excel. Use the meter to measure lighting levels throughout your buildings, taking readings in all rooms and in key locations in large spaces; Acceptable lighting power density allowances are detailed here:
| Area or activity | Under 25 | 25 | Over 65 |
| Passageways | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Conversation | 2.5 | 5 | 10 |
| Grooming | 15 | 30 | 60 |
| Reading/Study | 25 | 50 | 100 |
| Kitchen Counter | 37.5 | 75 | 150 |
| Hobbies | 50 | 100 | 200 |
These recommended lighting levels can be compared to your meter readings. It may be apparent that you can de-lamp some of your fixtures and still have sufficient light. If you are considering fixture replacement, your engineer can provide a new energy-efficient design.
Digital Thermometer/Humidity Meter – The Fluke-971 Temperature Humidity Meter is available online for about $270. Use the meter for logging space comfort conditions, verifying temperatures, verifying moisture intrusion, and locating drafts. Most importantly, use the meter to compare actual room conditions to HVAC setpoints.
Computer with Internet Access – Energy Star has provided Portfolio Manager as a free tool for tracking energy usage trends. Your utility usage data is compared against average buildings of the same type or function and geographic norms.
Infrared Camera – Look for an entry-level infrared camera (with Level 1 training) from FLIR or Fluke. Our first FLIR camera cost about $5,700 back in the day, but they are now significantly less expensive. Using the infrared feature set on automatic temperature range, properly focused, you can capture images of roll-up doors, painted doors, close-up shots of door and window frames, exterior wall systems, roofing, electrical panels with terminations exposed, motors, etc. Beware: glass and shiny metal will provide reflected readings, not surface readings. The camera will demonstrate:
- Thermal bridging in doors, windows, and frames
- Air leaks at cracked caulking, door sweeps, and frames
- Wet insulation in roof and wall systems
- Wire terminations that need to be tightened in power and lighting panels
- Leaky ductwork
- Condensate leaks and faulty steam traps on steam heating systems
Be sure to plan for a basic equipment and training budget. This basic equipment is necessary for anyone performing an energy audit, or as basic equipment for energy management by any operations department at a campus or large building of 500,000 sf or greater.
zumBrunnen, Inc.
