Which technology can be used to visualize air leakage around an air barrier?

Thermal imaging is a powerful technology for visualizing air leakage around an air barrier. It works by detecting temperature differences in surfaces, which can reveal cold or hot spots caused by air movement. When air leaks through an air barrier, it often carries a different temperature than the ambient conditions—colder air in the winter or warmer air in the summer can both be identified through thermal imaging. This allows professionals to quickly pinpoint areas of concern that may need further inspection or remediation.

In addition to its ability to show air leakage, thermal imaging is non-invasive and provides a real-time visual representation, which makes it a preferred method for identifying problems in the building envelope. Other methods, while useful in their own right, do not provide the same direct visualization of air flow and leakage. For example, laser scanning focuses more on measuring surfaces and creating 3D models, ultrasonic testing identifies sound waves rather than visual clues, and moisture meters assess moisture levels but do not visualize air leaks directly.