Black and Decker TLD100 Thermal leak Detector

By Keith Shaw, Network World
November 10, 2008 12:01 AM ET

Cool Yule Rating:

Price: $39.99

Description: This cool gadget is a non-contact thermometer (NCT), and, as you might guess, it measures the temperature of objects from afar, without touching them. These devices are incredibly useful, and not just for nerds or techies. I used this Black & Decker model to examine thermal leaks around the house, to verify the temperatures of the oven and refrigerator, and even to check the temperature of assorted computers and other devices around the house. Finding thermal leaks around the house can help you save lots of money by fixing those leaks, keeping heat inside the house during the winter.

The device is very easy to use: point it, turn it on, read it. Resolution is adjustable (check the surprisingly good manual for why you'd want to do this), and readings were within one degree of my reference thermometers. The truly amazing part: this is the least expensive NCT I've ever seen, with a list price of $39.99. This belongs in your tool box – yes, the one under the tree.