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Does Thermography Really Save Time and Money?
Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

“Thermography saves time and money” is a statement frequently associated with thermal imaging. In this Tip, we discuss the accuracy of this popular claim.

Whether you work as a professional thermographer or are setting up an in-house infrared inspection program, it is important to accurately represent the benefits of thermography to prospects or peers. Failure to do so can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.

The statement, ‘Thermography saves time and money’ is a popular phrase associated with our technology; however, it is a fallacy. As a practice, thermography alone saves neither time nor money. This is due to the fact that infrared inspections require time for their planning and execution, both of which come with a cost. Furthermore, correcting detected exceptions will require additional time and money.

When describing the benefits of thermography, it is important to accurately represent its capabilities in order that others may set their expectations appropriately. This is especially important when seeking approval for in-house programs in order that they may be appropriately funded and staffed.

To this end, a better alternative to the aforementioned statement might be:

Combined with timely, effective repairs, thermography can help to save time and money by avoiding unscheduled downtime or premature failures.

The application of thermal imaging is a topic covered in all Level I Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer^® training courses. For more information on course locations and dates or to learn more about our Distance Learning courses, visit infraspection.com or call us at 609-239-4788.