To view and register for upcoming courses, follow this link to the MSU Academic Technology and Outreach page. 

Course Description

Thermal imaging is an important skill for every level of the home performance industry from energy auditors to installers. This two-day course will teach students Infrared theory, an understanding heat flow, how to get accurate temperature measurements, camera controls and care of cameras. Students will then take this knowledge and learn how to conduct thermal inspections related to moisture, building shells, electrical, windows, pests, appliances, and chimneys. They will also learn how to manage the images they collect and create reports. 

*This course is currently taught by Monroe Infrared Technology. Learn more about them at their website. 

Course Objectives

The IR class will prepare all Weatherization workers to do the following work in the field:

  • Know how IR cameras work.
  • How to take care of IR cameras.
  • How to take good images.
  • Moisture Inspections – finding water leaks in attics, walls or floors before insulation is added.
  • Wall Inspections – Confirm presence or absence of insulation and completeness of wall blows.
  • Blower door guided air sealing diagnosis and work.
  • Wall Inspections – Find air leaks and confirm completeness of wall air leakage work.
  • Attic Inspections – Find air leaks and confirm completeness of attic air leakage work.
  • Pre-work and post-work duct leakage.
  • Electrical Inspections – Non-contact method to check for bad junctions or breakers.
  • Window Inspections – Find air leaks, argon gas leaks. Pinpoint air sealing work.
  • HVAC Inspection – Document compressor problems, duct temperatures, heat exchanger issues.
  • Locate heat registers that have been floored over.
  • Chimney inspections – Integrity of chimney joints and structures, masonry, or metal.

Organization of Course

This is a lecture-lab course. Most topics are covered first in the classroom and then covered again in the training lab. Student participation in discussions in the classroom and in the lab exercises is very important. This course has a written final exam and student participation is graded as pass/fail.

Course Fees

  • $650 for the public 
  • Free for associates of the Montana Weatherization Workforce

 

For additional information contact the Center at [email protected] or you can call (406) 586-0070.

To view and register for upcoming courses, follow this link to the MSU Academic Technology and Outreach page.