Our Equipment

Ashton Thermal uses an IR camera from Flir Systems that has a true 320 x 240 pixel array. The ThermaCAM® EX320 uses the world's most powerful infrared detector and offers unmatched temperature measurement accuracy, and the best image quality. What this means for you is that the diagnosis of your building problems is more accurate. The images are so clear that, to the trained eye, it becomes readily apparent where problems are occurring.

As can be seen in the image below, the IR camera is connected to an external monitor. This monitor has a built-in hard drive that we use to record the entire inspection process. When we give you the report detailing our findings, you are provided with a copy of the recording. These are voice annotated, so you will hear as well as see what we are doing. The other nice thing about this system is that it allows you, the customer, to follow our thermographer with monitor in hand, and see exactly what he is seeing.

We employ blower door testing for use in pressure diagnostics of buildings. We usually depressurize a house by 50 pascals and then read the fan flow. The fan flow rate (measured in CFM) allows us to compare similar buildings for air-tightness and equivalent leakage rates (in square inches). The leakier a building is determined to be, the more opportunities we have to improve comfort and reduce energy use by sealing the leaks.

For buildings with forced air heating or air-conditioning, we use a Duct Blaster to test the tightness of the ducts, and to determine how connected they are to the outside of the building.

We use combustion testing equipment to determine the efficiency of any fossil fueled appliance including: gas ranges, boilers, furnaces, water heaters, and so on. These tests are conducted in the name of safety, but can also help owners to decide whether to replace an aging unit.

We use weather instrumentation to measure temperature, humidity and wind-speed, which are important factors to consider when measuring buildings. We take these measurements both inside and out.

We have a moisture meter which is capable of taking non-destructive samples as well as a probe system that can determine quantities of moisture deeper behind wall and ceiling surfaces. Moisture meters are used to verify any moisture discovered during our IR survey.

A probe thermometer is used to measure temperatures in ducts and areas where it is difficult to access with the IR camera. A smoke generator is used to test for air movement around baseboards, ducts, windows and in other areas that the camera suggests we should be looking.

We won't list every tool that we own; we only mention the above to demonstrate how thoroughly we survey a building. Ashton Thermal is committed to providing the very best service to our customers, and exceptional communication is a part of that service.