Providing Cedar Falls with Electricity, Gas, Water, Cable TV and Internet Services

Customer Service Hours:
(319) 268-5280
M-F: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat & Sun: Closed

Help Desk Hours:
(319) 268-5221
M-F: 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sat & Sun: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thermal Flyover

Thermal Flyover Project

In 2010, CFU received federal stimulus funds from the Iowa Office of Energy Independence. CFU received the money to fund a project to identify homes and businesses in Cedar Falls with high potential for energy savings in partnership with the University of Northern Iowa Center for GeoInformatics Training, Research, Education, and Extension (GeoTREE).

A thermal flyover was chosen, as it is a very economical way for CFU and customers to quickly determine if a property may need additional inspections or insulation. CFU last conducted a thermal flyover in 1978. At that time many local citizens took action to insulate their homes or businesses more thoroughly. Since 1978, recommended attic insulation levels have more than doubled, making a new flyover necessary.

The University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) and Green Iowa AmeriCorps also assisted with the thermal flyover and community outreach.

How Did the Thermal Flyover Work?
During the nights of November 18 and November 19, 2010, an airplane equipped with thermal imaging equipment flew at 1000 feet in a series of 56 overlapping passes over the city limits of Cedar Falls. For best results, the flights took place on two cold and clear nights, with no snow on the ground or recent precipitation, with evening lows below 25 degrees.

The thermal imager used on the airplane measured the surface temperature of buildings and the ground, with 12” resolution. A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used to compile the photos into a map and make it possible for CFU customers to search for their property by address. This process involved the development of the color gradients you see on the images, and electronically “stitching” together over 5,000 images. Work on this image is continuing to see if it is possible to improve it even further. If so, CFU will release another version later this year.

Customers are able to see how much heat their property loses through the roof by searching for their property and comparing their thermal image to sample images.

Major Goals of the Project:

Assist CFU and customers in identifying major problems, like extremely low levels of insulation, wet insulation, or thermal bypasses.
Increase public awareness of the amount of heat lost from their properties.
To obtain a more reliable indication of the current energy efficiency of Cedar Falls buildings.
To publicize CFU rebates available for heating and insulation improvements.
To offer more targeted information and support to customers.