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