Q1 Why not just send utility scouts out to find residences which are stealing natural gas?

A1 Why not just hire us to do it for you…no site access problems, no home occupants with vicious dogs or guns, no fall or injury hazards for scouts and investigators. Dangerous neighborhoods with gangs, criminals, drug dealers & deadly dogs, make the job of finding energy theft a very difficult undertaking on the ground. Aerial IR surveys are much safer, faster, more efficient and comprehensive.

Q2 Do aerial infrared surveys have to take place at night? If so why?

A2 No, they do not have to take place at night, but the conditions are generally better because a major source of distraction (the Sun) is absent. Also, air traffic is lower, wind speeds and turbulence levels are lower, and ambient temperatures are lower.

Q3 What is the ROI for say, a typical 100,000 residences.

A3 Our experience shows 7-34 times ROI (return on investment) per 100,000 homes surveyed.

Q4 Is one aerial infrared survey and analysis sufficient?

A4 It is sufficient to save millions of dollars, but why not save more every year until the ROI becomes negative. Since some of the energy thieves will reconnect themselves and others will relocate to a different residence after the first year’s cutoff, multiple-year contracts are recommended.

Q5 Then, how often do you recommend an aerial infrared survey and theft analysis be performed?

A5 As an integral part of an overall energy theft management program, we recommend all utilities receive an initial aerial infrared survey and theft analysis, then annually for three to five more years -depending on the results, to establish trending patterns and moving theft patterns. As long as the return on investment [which we guarantee*] is positive, it is prudent to continue the aerial infrared surveys and theft analyses.

Q6 What makes RecoverIR™’s equipment, methodology, and IT services unique?

A6 We are the only aerial mapping operation in the world that can produce IR images of the resolution required to find gas thieves on a wide enough scale to make a substantial financial impact. We use proprietary post-processing and database recalling systems for use by your company real-time in the field.

Q7 Other than the obvious financial advantage, what other tangible ways will our utility benefit from a RecoverIR™ program?

A7a When you publicize your efforts to stop energy thieves, your paying customers will realize that you are working to lower their utility bills, because they are indirectly paying for energy theft.

A7b Once you begin to more accurately quantify the amount of energy that is being stolen, you will be able to find and account for the other sources of loss (gas leaks and accounting errors) by area, in your served region.

A7c If you are a natural gas utility, you will be able to more accurately forecast your needs for natural gas storage and the potential need for more natural gas.

Q8 Are there any other points that utility managers should know about RecoverIR™ surveying and analysis?

A8a Aerial IR surveys are fast, efficient, effective and safe. For areas in excess of 1,000 acres, a RecoverIR™ program will provide the most cost-efficient and highest resolution large area, fully integrated infrared image acquisition, analysis and post-processing for theft detection, trending, information archiving and storage.

A8b Perhaps the biggest advantage of a RecoverIR™ program is that it will save your company millions of dollars, while out-sourcing and automating your loss prevention efforts – while reducing risks.