Contracting a company to carry out a thermographic survey makes good financial sense. And as far as saving the planet goes, it shows that you do care about the amount of energy that is being wasted while you are heating your home and that you would like to do something about improving your eco-credentials – as well as just saving some whales.
A thermographic report can tell home owners and tenants alike just where the weak spots in the insulation of their homes or flats are and what measures need to be taken to stop the precious energy from simply seeping out through walls, doors, roofs or windows into the atmosphere and beyond.
Which is where the cowboys come in…
Just like in any other branch, there are countless companies or small firms operating in the energy-saving business that do not have your best interests at heart. In fact they have next to no interest at all in assessing just how much energy you are losing through poor or inadequate insulation or building or structural flaws and what steps need to be taken to right what has gone awfully wrong. This is because rogue assessors – just like rogue builders or rogue traders – have one thing which they lack apart from experience in the field and proper conduct – and that’s a conscience. These crooks, and we really must call them by their real names in order to safeguard those who need to be protected, are not interested in saving you money or providing you with a fair service. They are only interested in lining their own pockets and maximising their profit. Often at a staggering cost to you.
According to the VPB, an organisation comprising private home builders and house owners, there are, unfortunately, more than just a few rotten apples in the barrel. The black sheep they identified have much in common. The most popular tricks of the trade include performing thermographic surveys in conditions which render the results worthless and carrying out measurements without the necessary expertise that enables the user to correctly interpret the findings and propose the required recommendations. Strong sunlight, fog or persistent rain, for example, can distort the readings acquired using an infrared camera no matter how sophisticated the technology. And by saving on software which supports or substantiates otherwise conclusive findings, many a fraudulent contractor is robbing himself – and you – of the means that would allow them to provide an uncontroversial report which shows the true situation – and the steps that need to be taken.
So if you are planning on contacting a contractor, look out for the telltale signs that distinguish the respectable ones from the rogues and make sure that you do not fall prey to false promises or fraudulent offers. A cowboy assessor – just like a cowboy builder – can cost you much more than you had ever banked on.
Which is why you may decide to hire an infrared camera yourself. For as little as €39.00 a day. Complete with operating instructions and the advice you need to make sure that you are choosing the correct camera for your own individual application.
Or call us on +49 (0) 2452 962 120 if you would like us to send one of our specialists round. They are all certified according to DIN EN 473!
Don’t get caught out by a cowboy. Go with the good guys. Go with Trotec.
