Infrared building inspection with unmanned aerial vehicles

Abstract

Article discusses the subject of energy efficiency in the construction and building sector and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in order to study energy consumption in buildings. At the beginning, the concept of energy efficiency in buildings is presented, its importance and impact on the environment. Then, the article discusses the current situation, the trends in Europe and the potentials of this sector together with the most important legal issues related to the topic of energy efficiency. The next section explores the effects of buildings on the environment, in particular, through heat loss. The article also outlines the importance of research methods and thermal imaging. Specifically developed unmanned aircraft classification is adapted for the use in thermal studies. The topic is discussed in terms of both the characteristics and structure, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the use of such solutions. Possible paths of development in this subject are presented, as well as problems and concerns. The last part focuses on the example of the use of unmanned platform to study thermal imaging of a residential building. This is a case study carried out in December 2014.