FLIR vs MyHEAT for Identifying Home Heat Loss

Thermal imaging technology has proven to be a game-changer in various industries. Its applications range from home heat loss and energy efficiency to law enforcement, wildlife research, electrical inspections, firefighting, and even military operations. In this article, we’ll compare two leading players in the thermal imaging market: FLIR and MyHEAT. FLIR is known for its handheld thermal cameras, while MyHEAT focuses on aerial thermal imaging solutions. By understanding the capabilities and differences between these two technologies, you can make an informed choice when it comes to identifying home heat loss and improving building energy efficiency.

Key Takeaways

Thermal imaging is crucial not only in detecting home heat loss and improving energy efficiency but also in other industries.
Handheld and aerial thermal imaging differ significantly in scale, capture methods, and use cases.
FLIR specializes in handheld thermal cameras, while MyHEAT focuses on aerial thermal imaging technology.
MyHEAT excels in large-scale, city-wide applications, whereas FLIR provides specialized solutions for localized, individual inspections.

What is thermal imaging and how does it work?

Thermal imaging is a technique that uses infrared radiation to create images based on an object’s temperature differences. It works by detecting and measuring the heat emitted by objects or living organisms. With the help of thermal cameras, this heat is translated into visible images that allow us to identify temperature variations and anomalies.

Thermal cameras consist of sensors that detect infrared radiation and convert it into electrical signals. These signals are then processed to generate a visual representation of the temperature distribution within the scene.

The applications of thermal imaging are vast and diverse. In addition to home heat loss detection, it is widely used in industries such as construction, electrical, mechanical, and medical fields. Thermal imaging technology helps identify heat loss, standing water, energy leaks, locate individuals in search and rescue operations, and much more.

Moving from the broad spectrum of thermal imaging applications, let’s focus on specific products in the market that exemplify these uses. Two such examples commonly used for home heat loss and energy efficiency are FLIR’s handheld thermal cameras and MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging solutions.

FLIR handheld thermal cameras

What is a FLIR camera?

FLIR, short for Forward Looking InfraRed, is a manufacturer known for its handheld thermal cameras. These cameras are capable of detecting and visualizing heat emitted by objects, even in low visibility conditions, making them popular tools in various professional settings.

The technology behind FLIR cameras involves sophisticated sensors that capture infrared radiation, which is invisible to the naked eye. These sensors translate the radiation into electronic signals, creating a detailed thermal image that represents temperature variations of the scene or object being viewed. This enables users to quickly identify heat sources, energy leaks, water damage, electrical faults, and other issues that are not readily apparent through conventional visual inspection.

FLIR offers a range of cameras, each tailored to meet the unique demands of various industries such as construction, electrical and mechanical work, security, law enforcement, firefighting, and wildlife monitoring.

Features and benefits of FLIR thermal cameras

FLIR thermal cameras find applications in a wide range of industries, including home inspection, electrical troubleshooting, firefighting, HVAC maintenance, and more. Some of the key features of their thermal cameras include:

1. High-resolution imagery

FLIR cameras provide detailed and sharp images, allowing for precise analysis.

2. Temperature measurement

FLIR cameras can measure temperatures accurately, enabling users to identify hotspots, cold spots, and temperature differentials.

3. Different lens options

FLIR offers a variety of lens options, allowing users to customize their thermal cameras based on their specific needs.

4. Portable and easy-to-use

FLIR handheld thermal cameras are compact, lightweight, and user-friendly, making them ideal for on-the-go applications.

MyHEAT aerial thermal imaging

What is MyHEAT aerial thermal imaging?

MyHEAT is a company that provides aerial thermal imaging solutions, utilizing advanced technology to create detailed heat loss maps for entire cities. This process involves capturing high-resolution thermal infrared imagery using specialized cameras in aircraft, and then applying sophisticated machine learning techniques. Unlike traditional methods focused on small-scale inspections, MyHEAT’s approach is geared towards large-scale urban analysis.

The technology employed by MyHEAT includes a state-of-the-art thermal infrared sensor, which surpasses conventional airborne cameras in data fidelity and acquisition capabilities. After collecting thermal data for a city, MyHEAT uses proprietary machine learning algorithms to analyze and interpret the data. This process includes adjustments for local variables, ensuring accurate and comparable heat loss measurements and assessments across different dates, homes, neighbourhoods, and cities. The result is the creation of comprehensive HEAT Maps and HEAT Ratings, offering insightful and comparative efficiency metrics for each building within the city.

View an interactive MyHEAT heat map demo.

Features and benefits of MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging

MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging stands out for its innovative approach to assessing energy loss and efficiency for city-scale applications. This technology provides several key features and benefits:

1. Heat loss mapping

MyHEAT creates heat loss maps that indicate areas of energy loss in buildings, helping identify inefficiencies on a large scale.

2. Seasonal heat loss analysis

MyHEAT’s technology allows for the comparison of heat loss patterns between seasons, providing valuable insights into energy consumption throughout the year.

3. Stand-alone thermal imaging solution

MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging technology does not require additional hardware or software for analysis. The heat loss maps are accessible via their platform.

4. City-wide applications

MyHEAT is particularly beneficial for utility companies, environmental organizations, energy efficiency consultants and auditors, and local governments/municipalities, as it can capture data for thousands or even millions of homes within a city.

FLIR vs MyHEAT: Which thermal imaging solution should you use?

When comparing FLIR and MyHEAT, it’s important to understand that they mostly cater to different needs despite a shared foundation in thermal imaging technology. FLIR is renowned for its handheld thermal cameras, ideal for individual and localized analysis. In contrast, MyHEAT excels in large-scale urban analysis with its aerial thermal imaging, capable of assessing heat loss across extensive cityscapes.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between MyHEAT and FLIR thermal cameras:

Applications and use cases

FLIR for localized inspections: FLIR’s handheld thermal cameras are tailored for specific, localized inspections. Suitable for homeowners, wildlife researchers, electricians, and HVAC professionals, these cameras provide detailed thermal images for troubleshooting and maintenance in various scenarios.

MyHEAT for city-wide applications: MyHEAT’s technology is best suited for city-wide applications. Offering a comprehensive view of energy loss patterns, it’s valuable for utility companies, environmental organizations, and local governments involved in large-scale energy evaluations and sustainable planning.

Usability and accessibility

FLIR’s portability: FLIR cameras are known for their portability, allowing for on-the-go inspections in diverse environments.

MyHEAT’s broad scope: MyHEAT’s aerial imaging provides a wide-ranging perspective, useful for comprehensive energy assessments and home energy reports across neighbourhoods and communities.

Pricing models

FLIR equipment pricing: FLIR provides a wide spectrum of thermal cameras, with options ranging from affordable models starting at a few hundred dollars to advanced systems costing several thousand dollars.

MyHEAT service pricing: MyHEAT’s heat map pricing can cost as little as $1.50 per home per year. This affordable pricing makes MyHEAT a viable option for organizations and municipalities looking to conduct comprehensive energy audits and planning.

Industry applications and suitability

FLIR’s focus on localized inspections: Widely used in sectors requiring detailed, localized analysis, FLIR’s cameras are indispensable in home inspection, electrical troubleshooting, HVAC maintenance, firefighting, and more.

MyHEAT’s focus on building heat loss and energy efficiency: MyHEAT is instrumental for utility companies, environmental agencies, and municipalities, not only in providing insights for energy audits and infrastructure assessments, but also in influencing behavioral energy efficiency through homeowners and driving energy efficiency marketing initiatives.

Case Study: Complementary use of MyHEAT and FLIR technologies

An independent home energy audit in Calgary, conducted by 4Elements, utilized both MyHEAT and FLIR technologies to perform detailed energy efficiency evaluations across five homes.

MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging provided a broad view of heat loss in five diverse homes in Calgary, Alberta, guiding 4Elements in their detailed in-home energy audits. These audits, supported by FLIR’s ground-level thermal imaging, focused on identifying specific areas of energy inefficiency.

The results demonstrated a clear correlation between MyHEAT’s aerial heat loss ‘hotspots’ and the energy loss locations identified with FLIR’s handheld thermal cameras. Key areas such as attic hatches, garage walls, and mechanical vents were consistently pinpointed by both technologies. This synergy between MyHEAT’s wide-scale aerial perspective and FLIR’s detailed, localized analysis proved effective in offering a comprehensive assessment of energy efficiency, especially in older homes where greater opportunities for energy savings were discovered.

Read more heat maps case studies from MyHEAT

Choosing the right thermal imaging solution for your needs

Choosing between FLIR and MyHEAT depends on your specific needs and the scale of your project. If you require detailed thermal imaging for individual inspections or localized analysis, FLIR’s handheld thermal cameras are a reliable choice. FLIR cameras provide high-resolution imagery and are versatile enough to meet the needs of various industries and professionals.

On the other hand, if you are focusing on large-scale energy efficiency projects or city-wide assessments, MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging technology offers a comprehensive solution. MyHEAT’s heat loss maps provide valuable insights into energy loss patterns in urban environments, helping organizations and municipalities make informed decisions for sustainable development.

If you’d like to learn more about heat loss maps or solar energy maps, get in touch with us at MyHEAT

Frequently asked questions about FLIR vs MyHEAT

What are the primary differences between FLIR and MyHEAT?

FLIR and MyHEAT differ primarily in their scale and use cases. FLIR specializes in handheld thermal cameras for individual inspections and localized analysis, while MyHEAT focuses on aerial thermal imaging for large-scale energy efficiency assessments.

Which technology is better for residential energy audits?

Both FLIR and MyHEAT have applications in residential home energy audits. FLIR handheld thermal cameras are suitable for in-home inspections to identify specific heat loss issues, while MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging technology provides a broader picture of energy loss patterns in neighbourhoods and communities.

Can FLIR and MyHEAT be used in tandem for energy efficiency projects?

Yes, FLIR and MyHEAT can be used together for energy efficiency projects. MyHEAT’s aerial thermal imaging can identify heat loss patterns in a city, while in-home inspections using FLIR cameras can validate and corroborate the issues identified from the aerial images.