Thermal (infrared) imaging is the single most powerful diagnostic tool a modern home inspector carries. A FLIR camera measures surface temperature across walls, ceilings, floors, panels and roofs, revealing anomalies that are invisible during a normal walk-through: wet drywall behind a shower, missing attic insulation above a bedroom, an overheating breaker in a Federal Pioneer panel, air leakage around poorly sealed windows, or a plumbing leak inside a wall cavity. HomeWise Property Inspections includes thermal imaging as standard on every pre-purchase, pre-listing, condo, new-construction and 11th-month warranty inspection — never as an upsell. For clients who want a stand-alone infrared survey (energy audit, new-build QA, or troubleshooting a specific concern), we also perform dedicated thermal-only inspections. You receive annotated thermal images alongside standard photos, plus a plain-English interpretation of what each anomaly means and how urgent it is.
What's included
- Full-home FLIR infrared camera scan (interior and exterior)
- Attic and ceiling scan for missing, compressed, or displaced insulation
- Exterior wall scan for air leakage, thermal bridging and insulation gaps
- Window and door scan for seal failure and drafts
- Bathroom, kitchen and laundry scan for hidden plumbing leaks
- Basement and foundation scan for water intrusion and cold spots
- Electrical panel scan for overheating breakers and loose connections
- In-floor heating verification and coverage mapping (where applicable)
- Roof surface scan for wet decking, missing insulation and ice-dam risk zones
- Digital report with annotated thermal + standard photo pairs and prioritized findings
Why this inspection matters
Calgary Winters Amplify Every Envelope Weakness
With inside-to-outside temperature differentials often exceeding 40°C, Calgary is one of the best climates in Canada for accurate thermal imaging. Missing attic insulation, poorly sealed rim joists, and air-leakage points show up dramatically on the camera and are directly tied to heating bills, ice damming, and interior condensation.
Hidden Moisture Is the #1 Cause of Expensive Surprises
A slow leak behind a shower, an ice-dammed attic bay, or a pinhole in a Poly-B line rarely shows on the surface until damage is significant. Thermal imaging combined with moisture meters finds these problems while they're still cheap to fix — the single biggest reason we include it on every inspection.
Electrical Hot Spots Are a Safety Issue
Loose connections, undersized breakers, and overloaded circuits generate heat long before they fail. A quick thermal scan of the main panel and subpanels routinely catches issues that a visual inspection would miss — especially important in older Calgary homes with aluminum wiring or aging Federal Pioneer / Zinsco panels.
Not Every Inspector Actually Uses Thermal — We Do
Many Calgary inspectors advertise thermal imaging but only use it if requested, or use consumer-grade cameras that miss subtle anomalies. HomeWise uses professional FLIR cameras on every full inspection and provides thermal images directly in the report so you can see the findings yourself.
Serving Calgary & surrounding communities
We provide thermal imaging inspection services across the greater Calgary area, including:
Frequently asked questions
Is thermal imaging included in a HomeWise home inspection?›
Yes — thermal imaging is standard on every full pre-purchase, pre-listing, condo, new construction and 11th-month warranty inspection at no extra cost. Some competitors charge $150–$300 extra for the same service.
How much does a stand-alone thermal imaging inspection cost?›
A dedicated infrared-only survey (no full home inspection) in Calgary is typically $250–$450 depending on home size and scope. Call (403) 710-7770 for a firm quote based on your address and what you want scanned.
What can thermal imaging actually detect?›
Missing or displaced insulation, air leakage, moisture intrusion, active plumbing leaks, overheating electrical components, poorly performing in-floor heating, radiant heat loss around windows and doors, and — in some cases — pest activity in wall cavities. It cannot see through walls; it measures surface temperature only.
What are the limits of thermal imaging?›
The camera measures surface temperature differences, so results depend on a meaningful indoor/outdoor delta (usually 10°C+) and dry, calm weather. Rainy days, hot sunny walls, freshly painted surfaces, and rooms at outdoor temperature all reduce accuracy. We schedule scans for conditions that give reliable results.
Do you provide the actual thermal images?›
Yes. Every notable anomaly in your report includes a paired thermal + standard photo so you can see exactly what the camera saw. The narrative explains what the temperature pattern means, likely cause, and recommended next step.
Can thermal imaging replace a full home inspection?›
No — it is a powerful supplement, not a substitute. Structural, mechanical, and safety concerns still require hands-on inspection. Thermal imaging adds a layer that a visual-only inspection cannot provide.
Do you use thermal imaging on new builds?›
Yes, and it is one of the highest-value uses. On new construction and pre-drywall (pre-board) inspections, thermal imaging routinely catches insulation gaps, missing vapour barrier, air-leakage points, and improperly commissioned in-floor heating — issues that are cheap to fix during construction and very expensive afterward.
Can you scan a specific problem area only?›
Absolutely. If you have a specific concern — a suspected leak, a cold room, an ice dam, a warm breaker, a floor that never heats up — we can perform a targeted thermal scan focused on that issue at a reduced rate.