Draft detector cuts energy costs
Most older homes, and even some new ones, are plagued by energy-wasting air leaks. The worst drafts are found around windows and doors, but there are also many smaller, harder-to-detect trouble spots that are just as wasteful and costly.
Fortunately there's now a fast and affordable way to detect drafts, large and small, during winter and summer. Black & Decker recently introduced the Thermal Leak Detector, a hand-held infrared sensor that can pinpoint the exact location of air leaks.
Start by setting a reference temperature by pointing the device at an inside wall, and hitting the "set" button. Then scan the sensor along a surface. When it hits a cold or hot spot, the LED light changes from green to red (hot) or blue (cold). The surface temperature is also displayed on the screen.
You'll then know precisely where to insulate, caulk or repair to plug up those money-robbing drafts.
The Thermal Leak Detector costs about $50, and is particularly useful for finding small air leaks around electrical outlets, baseboards, dryer vents, pipe and cable penetrations, attic hatchways, and ceiling light fixtures.
(1) Comments
Does it really detect drafts? I have one and it does detect as documented "surface temperature". So while inside, the bottom of walls are colder (unless a fan is on to circulate air movement), is it that if the surface of the area is colder, then on the exterior, there is not enough insulation causing the coldness?