Session: 17-08-01: Renewable Energy Systems

Paper Number: 167197

Thermal Performance Assessment of LEED and Non-LEED Buildings via Aerial and Handheld Infrared Thermography 

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is essential for reducing urban energy consumption and promoting sustainable development. Buildings account for 30% to 70% of a city’s total energy use, with a significant portion lost through the building envelope, which includes walls, roofs, windows, and floors. Enhancing the thermal performance of these components can lead to substantial energy savings, reduced HVAC loads, and improved indoor thermal comfort, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

 

One of the key challenges in designing energy-efficient buildings is minimizing heat loss, which primarily occurs due to conduction, air leakage, and thermal bridging. Thermal bridging, caused by structural components that bypass insulation, creates pathways for heat escape, significantly lowering the building’s ability to retain warmth in winter and cool air in summer. Studies have shown that exterior walls account for the highest percentage of heat loss due to surface discontinuities, material inefficiencies, and inadequate insulation, reducing overall thermal performance. Excessive heat loss not only increases heating and cooling demands but also reduces the efficiency of HVAC systems, leading to higher energy costs and carbon emissions. Identifying and mitigating these thermal inefficiencies is crucial for optimizing building performance and reducing urban energy footprints.

 

This study employs aerial thermography using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with infrared thermal (IRT) cameras to assess building envelope performance. UAV-based IRT offers a significant advantage over traditional ground-based thermal inspections by providing a broader field of view, enabling the capture of detailed temperature distributions across entire façades, including hard-to-reach and elevated surfaces. This method allows for a comprehensive, high-resolution thermal assessment, effectively identifying insulation deficiencies, air leakage points, and thermal bridging in both newly constructed and existing buildings while overcoming logistical challenges associated with on-site manual inspections.

 

The research methodology involves conducting infrared thermographic assessments on a newly constructed building located in Cleveland, Ohio. Thermal imaging data is collected across multiple seasons to evaluate variations in heat loss patterns under different environmental conditions. The study specifically focuses on detecting insulation deficiencies, with U-value estimations derived from thermal images to quantify heat loss rates and evaluate building envelope performance. Seasonal data analysis will highlight how thermal bridging and air leakage manifest under varying external temperatures, allowing for a more precise evaluation of energy inefficiencies.

 

The expected results will provide valuable insights into the seasonal thermal behavior of the building envelope, identifying differences in heat loss patterns, insulation effectiveness, and potential solar heat gain issues. It is anticipated that thermal bridging and air leakage points will be more pronounced in colder months, while elevated surface temperatures in summer may indicate areas susceptible to solar heat absorption. These findings will demonstrate the effectiveness of UAV-based IRT in detecting energy inefficiencies and guiding building retrofitting strategies.

 

In conclusion, this research advances sustainable building practices by leveraging aerial infrared thermography for high-resolution thermal assessments. The results will contribute to improving insulation strategies, optimizing building envelope designs, and enhancing urban energy efficiency. By identifying and addressing heat loss and thermal inefficiencies, this study supports energy conservation initiatives and helps mitigate the environmental impact of buildings, promoting a more sustainable and resilient urban infrastructure.

Presenting Author: Maede Najian Cleveland State University

Presenting Author Biography: PhD Candidate

Authors:

Maede Najian Cleveland State University
Navid Goudarzi Cleveland State University