What a Thermal Survey Can Detect

A thermal survey shows you something an ordinary photograph never can: heat. By flying a thermal camera over a building, we capture the surface temperature of every area, and because problems like missing insulation, damp and air leaks change how heat moves, they show up clearly in the imagery. Here's what a drone thermal survey can reveal.

Heat loss and missing insulation

Gaps in insulation, or insulation that has slumped or degraded, let heat escape faster than the surrounding structure. On a thermal image these areas stand out, so you can see exactly where a building is losing heat, and therefore where money is being wasted on heating.

Damp and water ingress

Wet materials hold and release heat differently from dry ones. That difference makes damp patches, leaks and trapped moisture visible in a thermal survey, often before they have caused staining or damage you can see with the naked eye.

Air leakage and cold bridging

Draughts around windows, doors and junctions, and "cold bridges" where the structure conducts heat straight through, both show up as telltale temperature patterns. These are the small, hidden losses that add up over a heating season.

Solar panel and electrical hot spots

Faulty solar cells and loose or failing electrical connections run hotter than they should. A thermal survey of a solar array or roof-mounted equipment can flag these hot spots so they can be checked before they become a bigger problem.

Getting the best results

Thermal surveys work by measuring temperature difference, so they're most accurate when there's a good gap between inside and outside, typically cooler months, early mornings, or overcast, dry conditions. We'll advise on the right timing when we book.

What you receive

You get a full set of thermal images alongside matching standard photographs of the same areas, so every anomaly is easy to locate. The whole survey is flown from the air, no scaffolding, no roof access and no disruption to the building below.

As a CAA-authorised, GVC-licensed and fully insured operator, we carry out drone thermal surveys across the UK. To find out where your building is losing heat, get in touch for a free quote.