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Brothers use infrared to detect house energy leaks

Brothers use infrared to detect house energy leaks

April 9th, 2011 by Ellis Smith in Business Around the Region

• What: Partners Justin Wade and Jeremy Wade use infrared cameras and powerful fans to examine how airtight a house is. By analyzing temperatures with equipment that is accurate within a tenth of a degree, can see where leaks are, and they can see how well a wall is insulated. They can also measure ducts in HVAC systems to detect what percentage of air is being used to condition the home, and what percentage is being vented outdoors or in crawlspaces.

• Company: Green Vision Energy

• Location: Chattanooga

• How it's green: It's all about learning the most cost-effective way to save on energy consumption, said Justin Wade, director of marketing and technology. If they can provide homeowners with Energy Star certification, the owner is eligible for a tax break. The Wade brothers use the Home Energy Rating System, a federal standard, to measure a home's energy use.

• Why do it this way? Using high-tech infrared camera and pressurizing the house is the only way to get an accurate reading on a home's leaks and drafts, Wade said. A visual walk through can only see so much, while infrared can see through walls.

• What's the cost?: $500 for a house up to 2,500 square feet.

• Advice for others: As with any new technology, a certain amount of marketing consists of informing the public about the fact that options exist for lowering their monthly utility bills.

• Is environmentalism an essential part of the business? Creating energy, be it natural gas or electricity obtained by burning coal, has an impact on the environment. By reducing the amount of wasted energy, each homeowner can reduce his impact on the environment.