Thermographic surveys
Discover unparalleled building efficiency with advanced thermal imaging solutions, identify heat loss, air leakage, and insulation gaps, to ensure energy efficiency.
Thermographic Surveys for Energy Efficiency and Compliance
Thermographic surveys, also known as thermal imaging surveys, provide a fast, non-invasive way to see exactly where a building is losing heat.
A professional thermographic survey can reveal insulation gaps, air leakage, damp and thermal bridging, helping you improve energy efficiency, meet Part L and BREEAM requirements, and keep occupants comfortable.
At Air Tightness Solutions, our Level 2 thermography surveyors use high-resolution infrared cameras to deliver clear, actionable reports for new build and existing buildings across England.
Book your thermographic survey now.
What is Thermographic Testing?
A thermographic survey, also known as building thermography or a thermal imaging survey, assesses a building’s thermal performance by capturing temperature differences across the building envelope.
It helps determine if a structure has continuous insulation, detects unintended air leaks, and identifies potential issues like thermal bridging or damp areas such as leaking roofs or underfloor heating issues.
Thermographic surveys are typically performed on new builds to support quality assurance, Part L sign-off and BREEAM credits. On existing buildings, they are used diagnose suspected problems or support fabric improvement projects.
By making heat loss visible, a thermographic survey gives you a clear plan to improve performance and reduce running costs.
Benefits of Thermographic Surveys
Thermographic building surveys offer a range of benefits and are typically conducted for three main reasons:
- Diagnosing Suspected Problems - Thermographic imaging can reveal defects in the building fabric, such as moisture ingress, condensation, and mould growth, or address occupant comfort concerns related to insufficient insulation.
- Quality Assurance in New Builds - Many new build specifications, including Part L of the Building Regulations and BREEAM, require thermographic surveys for quality assurance, helping builders meet construction specifications and achieve sustainability ratings.
- Identifying Energy-Saving Improvements - On existing buildings, thermography evaluates each element of the building fabric, guiding improvements to reduce energy costs and CO₂ emissions.
Thermographic survey services we provide
Our thermographic surveys pinpoint heat loss areas and assess insulation continuity. This service ensures your building meets Part L requirements, identifies potential cost savings, and improves thermal comfort for occupants.
Thermographic surveys are increasingly included in building specifications to gain BREEAM credits and Part L compliance. By visually confirming continuity of insulation integrity, thermal bridging and air leakage our surveys contribute to achieving a higher sustainability rating, providing clear, evidence-based reports as part of your project’s quality assurance.
Thermographic testing identifies moisture buildup, water ingress, or hidden leaks, such as those in underfloor heating or roofing, allowing building managers to address issues early and prevent structural damage.
Thermography is a fast, effective tool for locating air leaks in building structures. When used alongside air tightness testing, we can quantify air leakage and provide a detailed report with thermal images, identifying any areas requiring remedial work.
Thermographic Survey FAQs
A thermographic survey is a non-invasive inspection that uses infrared thermal imaging cameras to identify temperature differences within a building’s fabric. These temperature variations reveal areas of heat loss, missing insulation, air leakage, moisture ingress, and thermal bridging that are not visible to the naked eye.
Thermographic surveys are commonly used to assess building performance, energy efficiency, and construction quality.
Thermographic surveys are performed once the building is complete, using a calibrated thermal imaging camera that measures temperatures with up to 0.1°C accuracy. These full-colour thermal images are included in a comprehensive report, showing areas of heat loss, air leaks, and insulation gaps.
Our surveys are carried out in compliance with BS EN 13187:1999 and BRE Report 176 standards and meet the requirements for earning BREEAM credits. A Level 2 certified thermography surveyor conducts each assessment, ensuring compliance and quality for reliable, actionable insights.
- In-Depth Analysis – Our thermographic surveys diagnose areas of heat loss, air leakage, and moisture buildup, providing detailed visual and quantitative insights.
- Industry-Recognized Standards – Conducted by Level 2 certified thermography surveyors, our surveys meet BS EN 13187:1999 and BREEAM requirements.
- Enhanced Comfort & Efficiency – Thermography helps improve occupant comfort and reduce heating costs by identifying weak points in the building envelope.
- Comprehensive Reporting – Our reports include high-resolution thermal images and recommendations for any required remedial actions, ensuring your building fabric is “reasonably continuous” as required by Part L2.
Thermographic surveys are important because they help identify building fabric defects that lead to increased heat loss, higher energy bills, and reduced occupant comfort. They are used to support energy efficiency improvements, diagnose construction issues, and verify the effectiveness of insulation and airtightness measures.
Thermographic surveys are often carried out alongside air tightness testing to provide a clearer understanding of overall building performance.
A thermographic survey is typically carried out once the building envelope is complete and there is a sufficient temperature difference between internal and external conditions. Surveys may be conducted during construction, after completion, or when investigating suspected heat loss or moisture issues.
Yes, thermographic surveys are essential for achieving BREEAM credits, as they visually confirm insulation integrity and air tightness, supporting sustainability and regulatory compliance.
The duration of a thermographic survey depends on the building’s size and complexity but typically takes a few hours. Our team conducts the survey efficiently, ensuring minimal disruption and quick results.
Yes, in many cases it’s beneficial to combine both. While a thermographic building survey visually highlights areas of heat loss through infrared imaging, air tightness testing quantifies air leakage and confirms whether a building meets Part L of the Building Regulations. Using both services together gives a more complete picture of a building’s thermal efficiency and helps identify specific areas where energy loss can be reduced.
All thermographic surveys are completed by Level 2 certified thermography surveyors experienced in building performance and regulatory compliance. This ensures your results are reliable, repeatable and aligned with industry guidance, including BREEAM and Part L. You can learn more about our team and how we operate on our about page.
We carry out thermographic surveys on a wide range of domestic and commercial buildings, including:
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New build housing and apartment blocks
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Offices, schools and public buildings
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Warehouses, industrial units and logistics facilities
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Refurbishment and retrofit projects
If you are unsure whether a thermographic survey is suitable for your project, contact our team and we can advise you on the best approach.
Thermographic surveys in the UK are carried out by trained surveyors using calibrated infrared imaging equipment. Air Tightness Solutions provides thermographic surveys nationwide, with reports suitable for use by developers, contractors, facilities managers, and building owners.
Get In Touch
Please get in touch to discuss how Air Tightness Solutions can work for you.
- College Offices, Watery Lane Wantage, OX12 9PL
- Mon - Fri: 8.00 -18:30
Thermographic Survey for Heat Loss & BREEAM Compliance
Book a thermographic survey to identify heat loss, insulation gaps and air leakage. Level 2 surveyors, BS EN 13187 compliant, supporting Part L and BREEAM credits
Service Type: thermographic surveys