Affiliated with the University of Central Florida, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is the largest state laboratory in the United States, according to Danny Parker, its principal research scientist. Parker, an avid user and advocate of infrared (IR) thermography, explained that the center supports research into renewable energy, efficient energy use and alternative fuels as well as energy efficient homes, his specialty. “I work in the Buildings Division where we try to learn how to lower energy use in buildings. My area of specialty is houses.”
Much of what Parker does as a worker in the public sector Chris Carroll does as a business owner. Carroll’s company, Carroll’s Inspection Services in Brownsville, Texas, does home inspections, energy audits, flat roof inspections, power panel inspections and related work in both residences and commercial buildings. Carroll said that he uses thermography mostly for energy audits.