Thermal Leak Detector Saves Up to 20 Percent in Energy Costs

Winter is setting in, and you know what that means: it’s time to turn on the heat. Many of us, however, are using more heat than necessary due to thermal leaks. This nifty Thermal Leak Detector from Black & Decker could potentially save up to 20 percent in energy costs by pointing out trouble spots.

The $40 device shines a blue spotlight on temperature changes as small as 1 degree. Of course, the tool can’t actually help you get rid of the leaks— for that, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Black & Decker’s Thermal Leak Detector will be available for purchase in Spring 2009…just in time to save you from excess air-conditioning costs.

Photo Credit: Black & Decker

Ariel Schwartz (374 Posts)

Ariel Schwartz was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a contributor at Fast Company, Inhabitat, Triple Pundit, SF Weekly, and NBC Bay Area Online. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.

http://www.chicagoenergyconsultants.com Chicago Energy Consultants

Most of these devices (non-contact infrared thermometers) are limited by the detectors distance to spot ratio.. the device reads temperatures in this way: for every (x) inches you are from the detector, you fan out an inch. The distance to spot ratio can vary widely device to device, from 4:1 up to 20:1 and beyond- I couldn’t find the specs for this item. The units that have a laser are sometimes misleading, as people think they are reading temperatures exactly at the laser mark, when in fact the laser marks the center of a circle that they are measuring. If this unit shines a targeting light that matches that ‘cone’ of measurement, that would have value. Otherwise if the light doesn’t match the measurement area, it could still be confusing for folks.
http://www.chicagoenergyconsultants.com Chicago Energy Consultants

Most of these devices (non-contact infrared thermometers) are limited by the detectors distance to spot ratio.. the device reads temperatures in this way: for every (x) inches you are from the detector, you fan out an inch. The distance to spot ratio can vary widely device to device, from 4:1 up to 20:1 and beyond- I couldn’t find the specs for this item. The units that have a laser are sometimes misleading, as people think they are reading temperatures exactly at the laser mark, when in fact the laser marks the center of a circle that they are measuring. If this unit shines a targeting light that matches that ‘cone’ of measurement, that would have value. Otherwise if the light doesn’t match the measurement area, it could still be confusing for folks.
http://robinnixon.com Robin

Yes Nate, but I think the point of this device is that it actually shines a blue light on the areas with lower temperature. No other similar device has this feature.
http://robinnixon.com Robin

Yes Nate, but I think the point of this device is that it actually shines a blue light on the areas with lower temperature. No other similar device has this feature.
Nate

So… it’s in infrared thermometer.

Sort of like these: http://www.google.com/products?q=laser+thermometer&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd

…which happen to be available, oh, now. At around $20 a pop.
Nate

So… it’s in infrared thermometer.

Sort of like these: http://www.google.com/products?q=laser+thermometer&btnG=Search+Products&show=dd

…which happen to be available, oh, now. At around $20 a pop.