The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell Campus has initiated a project to evaluate heat loss from buildings.  Drones equipped with sensitive infrared cameras detect heat leakage from buildings to prioritize repairs and to implement energy efficient.  The University Facilities Management is cooperating with the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy to develop the technology.  To date, the drones have detected leakage from an underground steam pipe and identified deficient insulation of buildings on the campus.

Obviously, this technology can be applied to layer and pullet houses especially during winter in the Northeast and Midwest to evaluate the efficiency of insulation and to identify deficiencies that can be rectified.