Smarter Envelope Retrofits

QEA has completed over 1300 in-depth building envelope analysis projects. These are projects that we have completed directly on site with our clients and not data that is captured from third parties or public sources of information. For each project, QEA meticulously captures thousands of data points and measured R-values for every square inch or centimeter of the building envelope. QEA has the largest structured dataset for the performance of envelope materials in real world conditions, ensuring accuracy and precision in our AI models.

We use industrial drones to capture thousands of high-resolution (8k+), close-proximity visual and thermal images for each building envelope. This approach minimizes distortion and ensures granular analysis and accuracy—avoiding the analytical limitations associated with higher altitude, lower-resolution scans. QEA also uses proprietary sensors to collect additional data points for each building, which are then incorporated into our energy analysis for optimal accuracy.

QEA’s patented AI models are specifically finetuned to identify and quantify anomalies throughout the building envelope such as moisture penetration, air infiltration, heat loss from windows, and insulation deficiencies. Our AI models are trained on millions of structured data points allowing us to deliver exceptionally accurate diagnostics.

QEA measures the effective R-value, energy loss (in megawatt-hours), tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, and forecasted energy and emissions savings for each square inch or centimeter of the building envelope. QEA’s calculations incorporate on-site climate data, energy usage patterns for the building, and other building documentation to ensure accurate measurements on the actual energy transmittance throughout the building envelope. This level of granularity allows QEA to recommend highly targeted retrofits that maximize return on investment.

QEA has partnerships with a comprehensive network of building envelope solution providers that can implement the retrofits that QEA recommends in our audits. These partnerships also allow for increased accuracy in our retrofit costing.

Leveraging sophisticated AI models, the largest structured dataset on building envelope performance, and patented energy loss quantification capabilities, QEA delivers unparalleled accuracy and precision. By incorporating various temperature data, building energy utilization data, and other building documentation, QEA ensures actual measurements of energy loss, carbon emissions, and R-values rather than estimates based off of theoretical models. QEA’s solution is highly actionable, providing customized retrofit plans that support strong business cases for retrofit implementation. QEA’s network of building envelope solutions partners help streamline retrofit planning and implementation.

QEA’s use of drones and sensors to collect data is non-intrusive and does not affect normal building operations. Data collection is typically completed within 24 hours.

Clients can access the results of their audits through QEA’s secure, user-friendly customer portal. QEA’s customer portal includes an interactive dashboard that summarizes key insights on building envelope performance, measurable 3D models of the building envelope, and reports on energy loss, key envelope issues and risks, and retrofit solutions.

Yes. QEA’s AI-powered building envelope audit has been used to verify that envelope materials have been installed correctly and are meeting energy performance standards for several new construction projects.

QEA covers a wide range of building types including commercial office, retail, hospitality, healthcare, academic campuses, multi-unit residential and affordable housing, warehouses, data centers, storage facilities, and heritage buildings. QEA can also complete neighborhood wide scans that include single-family homes.

QEA can complete projects anywhere across the globe. To date, we have completed projects across North America, Europe and Asia.

QEA will ensure we have the correct permissions and licenses to fly commercial drones in various locations. We have experience flying in multiple continents and assessing sensitive properties such as airports and military sites. QEA has a global network of seasoned drone operators, allowing us to complete international operations easily.

QEA’s recommendations are based on our detailed AI analysis and customized to the unique performance of each building envelope. Each retrofit plan details specific solutions for targeted areas and includes their implementation costs, forecasted energy savings, and payback periods. QEA’s targeted retrofit action plans empower building owners to forecast budgets, prioritize retrofits, plan multi-year retrofit strategies, and justify expenditures with concrete evidence.

Yes. QEA’s audit supports a variety of building and sustainability certifications such as GRESB, LEED v5, and BOMA.

QEA holds several patents including for the quantification of energy loss using thermal imaging and pattern recognition of thermal anomalies. We also maintain proprietary trade secrets for the capture, processing, and analysis of building envelope data, making our approach unique in the industry.

Yes. Our Building Science team includes experts in architecture, mechanical engineering, facilities management, and energy analysis. They work alongside our AI to ensure that each project benefits from expert oversight, quality control and continued enhancements.

QEA creates measurable 3D models of buildings. These models allow our clients to pinpoint the locations of key building envelope issues, precisely measure the dimensions of different areas on the envelope, and pull up the actual high-resolution images captured by our industrial drones.