The thermal imaging equipment atop the vehicle that drove through the streets of Hamilton and Wenham contained two cameras, one for either side of the street, which shot continuously to capture heat - and heat loss - depicted by a range of colors.
This street-level view provided homeowners with an image that illustrates energy efficiency in vivid colors.
The key to the energy survey that Woburn-based Sagewell Inc. conducted for Hamilton and Wenham is the software that is able to enter the images, organize information, and prioritize it, said president and CEO Pasi Miettinen.
“That’s the difficult part,’’ he said of the thousands of entries in the system. “To put that information together, that’s the challenging part of the business.’’
The Sagewell website not only lets the homeowner see the images, but also ranks the structure in different categories. There are protections to maintain privacy, as well as information about the Mass Save home energy assessments.
Sponsored by Massachusetts utility providers, the energy assessments are offered at no cost, with an expert in the home to outline improvements a homeowner can make. It may also include the free installation of compact fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, and water-saving devices, air sealing, and insulation specification (if applicable) and information about rebates and incentives that can save a homeowner up to $2,000.
DAVID RATTIGAN 
