Thermal Imaging Inspection VS Technical Assessment

Newtown00

Hi All.

Planning some upgrades on my recently purchased home and unsure where to start.

I've received a grant proposal from a SEAI 'OneStopShop' provider. They advised that before beginning I need to get a Technical Assessment carried out to measure the HeatLoss in my home.

I've also been in touch with a company that does Thermal Imaging inspections. They confirmed that this is different to the Technical Assessment needed for the SEAI grant.

I'm unsure what the differences between both are? I'm leaning towards doing the Thermal Imaging Inspection first to give me more specific recommendations. 

Can anyone offer some advice? Main issues with my home are condensation, mould in a few areas and two rooms significantly colder than others.

Thanks in advance.

MicktheMan

Because there are likely a number of contributing issues resulting in the mould formations, I would opt for the (independent?) thermal imaging inspection as part of an overall heat loss survey which should also include air tightness testing to get to the bottom of what's at play.

What I do in addition to this is use temperature / rh% data loggers to first monitor the internal environment for a week or two prior to the on-site survey to help identify the cause of the excessive moisture causing the problem. The best solution is rarely a single measure but rather a number of complimentary incremental improvements which generally solves the problem.

Newtown00

Thanks very much for your comment. Think I'll go ahead. Interesting to hear about the data you track before the inspection. I'll look into that as the companies I spoke to didn't mention it. Be great to get the the clearest picture possible of the causes.

And yes, the inspections would be independent. The company I'm probably going to go with, don't carry out the recommendations themselves.

ROS123

Hope you don't mind me jumping on here, I have a 1980s bungalow smallish 1200 sq feet with similar issues, I am anxious to get it as heat / ventilation efficient as possible within reason (cost) I have OF Central Heating, I have a stove in the sitting room (no BB) I have lots of condensation and now some mould where I didn't have before. Looked at SEAI and One Stop Shop. They are quoting almost €800 for the survey after the grant. Is this good value, is this generally a good survey, or would I be better go and find a surveyor of my own, or indeed measure over a period of time as Micktheman suggests.

aidanclif

ROS123, it depends on what kind of survey they are quoting for. Is it a BER of the existing property & a Technical Assessment or are they doing thermal imaging/ blow tests etc?

Depending on the property and the location - expect about 250E for the BER and about 500E for the technical assessment (exclusive of the SEAI grant). That is all you actually need if you want to go down the SEAI heat pump grant route.

You may have requested other survey types though - so hard to answer.

Newtown00

ROS123, I got quoted €800 including VAT for the Thermal Imaging inspection. No grant for this. It's also separate to Technical Assessment needed before proceeding with the OneStop grant is what I was told. Hoping to pinpoint the exact areas in my home where I can make improvements.

ROS123

Thanks guys, I am not sure what I need which is the problem. Thought the One Stop Shop might be the obvious starting point. I dont need doors and I dont think I need new windows, (they might need inspecting for draughts around them). I dont think I will be going the heat pump solution. I want to address the mold and condensation. I want to address the fact that after 45-60 mins after I turn of the OFCH the houwse is cold again. I want to add insulation to the attic (I THINK I might need mechanical ventilation first, for the mold and condensation) I need to check the walls to see if they need topping up with insulation. I want to get rid of draughts. What kind of inispection do I need to get a baseline to figure out what remidiation will work best please?

MicktheMan

What kind of inispection do I need to get a baseline to figure out what remidiation will work best please?

A heat loss survey.

ROS123

Mick thank you, that is very much to the point. Who provides such a thing. Is it a BER Assessor, an SEAI Assessor?

MicktheMan

I'm not being facetious but perhaps google 'heat loss survey' and your location. Make sure whoever you get are fully independent i.e. not trying to flog something else to you.

Newtown00

Just following up here. We had our Thermal Imaging Survey and I'm delighted with the findings. It has saved me thousands. We were quoted huge money through the OneStop grant and Thermal Survey showed we don't need most of the upgrades. Got a report with recommendations that will improve our home without the massive expense.