Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to provide for the use of thermal imaging cameras in the assessment of the energy efficiency of buildings; if he will recommend to the ESB that it use such cameras in energy usage surveys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28341/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The Dwelling Energy Assessment Procedure (DEAP) is the Irish official method for calculating the Building Energy Rating (BER) of dwellings. The BER is based on the characteristics of major components of the dwelling (wall, roof and floor dimensions, window and door sizes, quality and orientation) as well as the construction type and levels of insulation, ventilation and air tightness features, the systems for heat supply (including renewable energy), distribution and control and the type of lighting. It covers the annual energy use for space heating, water heating, ventilation, lighting and associated pumps and fans, calculated on the basis of a notional standard family with a standard pattern of occupancy.

BER assessors may use a number of optional testing techniques and devices ranging from very simple hand-held devices to more complex thermal imaging assessments. Options include borescope, fan pressurisation, glazing systems identification and thermal imaging. Thermal imaging may be used to assess the workmanship in the installation of the thermal insulation, to identify the ingress of damp and the subsequent loss of insulation performance, or to assess the extent and impact of thermal bridging. Thermal imaging surveys need to be carried out under suitable environmental conditions to ensure that a satisfactory interpretation of the results can be made. Typically these occur at night-time during the winter (heating season) months. Thermal imaging is therefore a useful diagnostic device under certain circumstances but it is not appropriate to mandate its use for all Building Energy Ratings.