Infrared cameras are becoming quite common in many different professions. One area where these devices excel is as a part of an energy audit. Makes great sense; heat sensitive camera to locate areas of thermal loss in a home or building. But as I just emphasized it is just one small part of the total audit.
I like to call the infrared camera the WOW! of the energy audit. It is cool and impressive to see the house through the lens of this high tech device. It can reveal defects undetectable by visual means, but it is not the most important information of an energy audit. 
The essential information in the audit report is to do with costs associated with upgrading inefficient systems and upgrading building products such as insulation. The table at right is from an actual audit. As you can see it addresses the costs of improving the energy deficiencies in the home and the savings realized, by item, for each improvement.
The estimates are based on utility cost in the homeowners' area and current loan rates. This affords a fairly accurate financial analysis for the client. With this information they can choose the most cost effective improvements with the best returns.
So how does infrared fit into this service? The IR camera can reveal areas in the home where insulation is missing or pin point air leaks that make the home uncomfortable. It can even reveal hidden manufacturing defects in windows. It is an essential tool in performing a complete energy analysis of the home. But scanning a home with an infrared camera is not an energy audit. As is clear it provides none of the important cost information the customer needs to smartly improve the energy efficiency of their home.
As energy costs continue to climb people will be seeking professionals who can direct them in lowering their utility bills. Don't be WOWED! into hiring a company that provides impressive pictures with no substance. The money spent on an energy audit should be the first payment in your energy improvement investments.
James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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The infrared camera is a WOW factor, an excellent sales tool that shows the customer where their home is leaking heat. However, despite a large drop in price, it is still expensive for a beginner getting into the field. We encourage energy inspectors to start with an infra-red thermometer which costs less than $100 and does the same job (but is only a small wow). The infra-red thermometer shows temperature differences in degrees, rather than in hues of color, which improves the accuracy of estimating savings and comfort. Once the energy inspector has an established business, it is probably worthwhile to invest in an infrared camera and to charge a little more.
Unfortunately, both the infrared camera, the blower-door and other instruments are being touted as necessary requirements for an energy audit, particularly by the government. This raises the cost of entry to the energy inspection industry, restricting the industry to those who can subsidize this additional cost, i.e. the government programs.