Building Insulation Auditing System Using Thermal Deviation Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Homeowners face challenges in identifying and addressing thermal inefficiencies in their buildings due to the high cost and lack of accessible, reliable information on energy use and necessary improvements, with professional energy audits often being expensive and inconsistent with actual energy bills.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a thermal scanning device and computing device to record and analyze thermal data, providing user notifications on leak paths and recommending remediation, including a DIY-friendly application tool for identifying and prioritizing thermal inefficiencies, and suggesting corrective actions with cost estimates and product recommendations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If homeowners hire professional energy auditors to conduct building insulation audits, then measurement precision and reliability of energy efficiency assessment is improved, but cost of the audit increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified copy of the professional energy audit process that homeowners can perform themselves. The system replicates the core functionality of professional thermal imaging equipment using consumer-grade cameras and smartphone sensors, providing comparable assessment accuracy at a fraction of the cost. The application guides users through standardized procedures that mirror professional audit protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables homeowners to conduct their own energy audits without requiring professional auditors. The application provides automated guidance, real-time analysis, and actionable recommendations, allowing users to independently assess and address their building's energy efficiency issues. This self-service model eliminates the need to pay professional auditors while maintaining assessment quality.
2Measurement precision
If professional energy audits are conducted, then detailed thermal data and leak path identification is improved, but ease of operation and accessibility for average homeowners deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smartphone application as an intermediary that bridges the gap between complex thermal imaging technology and average homeowners. The application automatically processes raw thermal data from camera sensors, performs sophisticated analysis of heat loss patterns, and presents results in simple, actionable formats. This intermediary layer handles the technical complexity while providing user-friendly interfaces and clear guidance throughout the audit process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual analysis methods with automated digital processing. Instead of requiring users to manually interpret thermal images and calculate heat loss, the application uses algorithms to automatically detect leak paths, quantify energy loss, and generate remediation recommendations. This substitution of automated computational methods for manual mechanical processes dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive thermal scanning is performed to identify all leak path features, then measurement precision and completeness of insulation assessment is improved, but device complexity and time required for the audit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the smartphone camera serve multiple functions: it acts as a thermal imaging sensor, a photographing device for documentation, and a data collection tool for environmental measurements. The application integrates various sensing capabilities into a single universal platform, eliminating the need for specialized expensive equipment. This multi-functionality approach maintains comprehensive assessment capability while reducing device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs selective scanning strategies that focus thermal imaging efforts on the most critical areas of potential heat loss. Rather than requiring exhaustive scanning of every surface, the application guides users to prioritize high-probability leak paths based on building geometry, climate conditions, and common failure points. This partial action approach achieves sufficient assessment completeness with reduced scanning time and simplified procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables homeowners to conduct cost-effective and objective building insulation audits, facilitating efficient remediation and reducing energy costs by providing accurate and actionable insights into thermal inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal scanning device configured to record thermal data for one or more leak path features at one or more building locations
Data Source
AI summary
In an exemplary method for evaluating building insulation, first thermal data for a first building location is received at a computing device from a thermal scanning device, the first thermal data including a first leak temperature reading of a first leak path feature at the first building location. Estimated inside and outside temperatures are stored in the computing device, and an environmental temperature deviation between the estimated inside temperature and the estimated outside temperature is determined. A first leak temperature deviation between the first leak temperature reading and the estimated inside temperature is determined. A first temperature deviation ratio of the first leak temperature deviation to the environmental temperature deviation is compared with a predetermined first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio. A first user notification is provided, identifying the first leak path feature and indicating whether the first temperature deviation ratio is greater than the first maximum acceptable inefficiency ratio.