Apparent Missing Insulation

[John Evans]

Scanned this bedroom tray ceiling. The sloped sections of the tray appear to be insulated with a surface temp. of 76 degrees. The flat area temp. is 91 degrees, outside temp. was about 85 degrees.

[Peter C. Russell]

Why do you call it a tray ceiling? never heard that term before. Nice pictures, do you ever change over to grey scale when checking missing insulation in walls? I had some good success with it.

[Chuck Evans]

Originally Posted by prussell

Why do you call it a tray ceiling? never heard that term before.

Same term I have always used http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...ition&ct=title

Perhaps there are different names in different regions.

BTW John: Definitely looks like an insulation deficiency to me. Was it accessible from the attic? Good find for the buyer. Paid for their IR inspection.

[Ron Bibler]

I think the old wood shingle kind of give it away.

Best

Ron

[John Evans]

Tray ceiling is a common term in this area. Refers to typically a minimum 9' ceiling with angled sides, maybe 30 degrees, that meet the flat ceiling at the top and bottom adjoining the walls. This home had no attic access above the bedroom. Since the home was constructed in 1992, you have to wonder how the county inspector missed this one, not to mention the builder of this $500,000 home. I was actually looking for moisture, the insulation issue was a surprise discovery!

[Peter C. Russell]

Thanks, never heard that term before. I wonder if the house was originally sold as unfinished?

[Kevin R. Weiss]

I see about one of these a month. Usually in new or one year old"Energy-Star" homes. Usually an inaccessible attic over the master bedroom. Makes you wonder what the other inspectors are inspecting.

[Ralph M. Smith]

What model FLIR are you using John?

[Ron Bibler]

Originally Posted by rsmith5

What model FLIR are you using John?

Looks like a 320X240 RES.

Best

Ron

[Michael Roberson]

The "Tray" term is used around here as well.

[John Evans]

The images were taken with a FLIR b60. These are the highest quality that I have captured since I started 2 months ago. Delta t was right on.

[Jeffrey Moore]

John,
Nice catch. Since these are quantitative and not qualitative it is nice to see your emisivity setting at 1.0

[Ron Bibler]

Jeff makes a good point John... turn off all the information on your camera. it can be used against you...

Best

Ron

[David A. Andersen]

Originally Posted by kweiss

I see about one of these a month. Usually in new or one year old"Energy-Star" homes. Usually an inaccessible attic over the master bedroom. Makes you wonder what the other inspectors are inspecting.

Isn't that an Energy Star requirement?

I guess the blower door test didn't catch that one!

[Kevin R. Weiss]

I have had more than one builder come back and say "well it passed the energy star certification/inspection there cannot be any missing insulation," or (I like this one better) "Infrared is a scam, ALL of our houses are properly insulated."

It doesn't take much destructive testing to determine who is right and who is scamming in these cases. I don't even throw the ES guys under the bus, how would they see that the inaccessible attic didn't get insulated? That's why people pay me=)