Thermal imaging in Saint John: infrared thermographic building inspections, timing and who does it

How Saint John is built

Before 1961 34%
1961–1990 44%
1991–2000 9%
2001 or later 13%

Each house stands for one in ten of Saint John's 19,705 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row and duplex), drawn by when it was built. The glow shows the usual pattern: older houses tend to be leakier and less insulated. More snow in the drawing means more heating degree-days: a longer, colder heating season. Sources: Statistics Canada 2021 Census (table 98-10-0233-01), NRCan HOT2000 climate data.

When to book in Saint John

Saint John gets about 4,580 heating degree-days a year, a measure of how much heating its climate needs, and its winter design temperature, the cold day heating systems are sized for, is −22.5°C. Those figures come from the climate data for Saint John in HOT2000, the home-energy software Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) gives energy advisors. That gives Saint John a long window, roughly late fall to early spring, when the inside-outside difference comfortably exceeds the 10°C an infrared scan needs.

A 1950s brick bungalow on a snowy suburban street at dusk, lamplight in the front window — Illustration: the same house in visible light and in infrared. A winter scan shows where heat escapes: door and window edges, the eaves, and the rim joist above the foundation.

The same bungalow as an infrared camera sees it: heat glowing around the door, window frames, eaves and the rim joist above the foundation — Illustration: the same house in visible light and in infrared. A winter scan shows where heat escapes: door and window edges, the eaves, and the rim joist above the foundation.

What the camera finds in Saint John houses

Of Saint John's 19,705 houses (single-detached, semi-detached, row houses and duplexes), 34% were built before 1961 and 78% before 1991, according to the 2021 Census. Older houses are where the camera earns its keep: empty or settled wall cavities, gaps at the top of walls, and cold corners where framing bridges the insulation. Run it with the blower door test depressurizing the house and every leak shows up as a cold streak.

What it costs

Most EnerGuide advisors include an infrared scan with the evaluation, but it isn't required, so confirm when you book. Through the Total Home Energy Savings Program, a Certified Energy Advisor charges $99 + HST, covering both the initial and final evaluations.

Atlantic Canada Maritimes and Newfoundland

What this means in Saint John’s climate

Damp, windy, icy winters and costly oil: switch to heat pumps, seal, test for radon.

Why it matters here: Shows insulation gaps and air leaks.

Best timing: December to March, on a calm, overcast day with at least 10°C between inside and outside.

Seal wind-driven leaks and the attic. Wind pushes cold air through gaps, and heavy, wet snow with frequent freezing rain makes a leaky attic prone to ice dams. Ask: Ask for a blower door test on a calm day, with a thermal scan to find wind-driven leaks.

What else homes in Saint John need →

Sources for this climate guide · checked October 26, 2026

NRCan-licensed service organizations serving Saint John

A service organization is a company that Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) licenses to deliver EnerGuide evaluations; its registered energy advisors do the home visit. Most EnerGuide advisors bring an infrared camera, but it isn't a required part of the evaluation, so confirm when you book. The scan is most useful with the blower door running.

Enercheck Solutions

1-866-990-2499 100% of Saint John
Homesol Building Solutions

1-855-489-5305 100% of Saint John
RU-Green Energy Solutions

1-800-676-1663 100% of Saint John
ThermalWise Green Building Cooperative

1-877-771-9276 100% of Saint John

Source: NRCan list of licensed service organizations, checked September 28, 2026. Call to confirm your street is covered and ask about wait times.

Programs and local help in Saint John

Provincial · needs an evaluation New Brunswick Total Home Energy Savings Program Evaluation-first: $99 + HST covers both home energy evaluations, then published incentives such as $1,500 for a ducted heat pump, $0.40–$0.85 per sq ft for attic insulation and $250–$550 for air sealing Open

Thermal imaging inspection in Saint John: common questions

When is the best time for a thermal imaging inspection in Saint John?

Late fall through early spring, when it is at least 10°C colder outside than inside. Cold, overcast days with no direct sun on the walls give the clearest images.

Can a thermal camera see through walls?

No. It reads surface temperatures. Missing insulation or an air leak shows up because it changes the temperature of the wall or ceiling surface.

Who does thermal imaging in Saint John?

Most of the 4 NRCan-licensed organizations serving Saint John bring an infrared camera to an EnerGuide evaluation; confirm when you book.

Is thermal imaging the same as a thermographic inspection?

Yes. Thermography, thermal imaging and infrared scanning all mean reading surface temperatures with an infrared camera.

Thermal imaging (thermographic) inspections in Saint John