Cedar FallsThermal Flyover/Ground Level
Pete OlsonEnergy Services Manager
Overview City of Cedar Falls Thermal Flyover
project Why? Background A few images
How CFU uses hand held Thermal imager Alone
Attic Inside Home - at least 60 homes per year Confirm insulation Comfort issues for customers
Why Aerial Thermal Imaging? Have a strong community-based utility and rebates
We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t have a strong presence in our community. This type of project needs community support!
Educate and encourage those “tough” customers who haven’t participated in last 20 years Homes, businesses, rental properties
Attic insulation is a low-cost, “gateway” measure If we find that a property needs attic insulation, it usually
needs most other energy efficient things too!
Background/Funding Our essential partners
Local experts: University of Northern Iowa Iowa Office of Energy Independence Community groups & utility marketing department “Cool Congregation “ “Cool Neighborhood”
Received $187,000+ from State Energy Program: $53,000 to take aerial imagery of 30 square miles About $36,000 for labor to process imagery & host on
website map During course of project, 12 jobs funded by it
Aerial Thermal Imaging Process An airplane equipped with thermal imaging
equipment flew at 1000 feet in a series of 54 overlapping passes over the entire City of Cedar Falls.
For best results, the flights took place on two cold and clear nights, with no snow on the ground.
The thermal imager used on the airplane measured the surface temperature of buildings and the ground.
The photos were compiled into a map and CFU customers can search for their property by address.
Why Aerial Thermal Imaging? Way to make building shell upgrades
“sexy” Which is more visually appealing?
What Do Customers Experience? The images show an estimate of heat
loss and general insulation levels. Red, yellow and orange indicate heat
and that the property may be losing heat through the roof. Customers are encouraged to contact
the utility for additional thermal imaging audits, or diagnosis if needed
What Do Customers Experience?
Aerial Thermal Images
Aerial Thermal Images
Use ground-level imaging instead:
Bypasses
Attics
More Attics
Scanning Inside A Home
Inside a Home
Drive-by Thermal Imaging
Verification of Insulation
It’s come a long way….
Questions? Questions