| Home Energy Savings -- Tips for Special Problem Areas |
From "Home Energy Savings"
episode HES-101 |
|
|
|
advertisement
|
Sealing a Light Switch or Electrical Outlet In our home energy audit demonstration, one less obvious type of trouble spot was identified as a place where energy loss was occurring -- around light switches and electrical outlets. Following are some easy steps for remedy of those situations Materials: Foam gasket light switch
Foam gasket electrical outlet
Spray foam sealant, minimal expanding
Screwdriver Steps: - Safety Alert: Make sure that the power is off to the switch or outlet.
- Remove the cover plate.
- With the cover removed, you may find some space around the switch box that creates the potential for air leakage. Fill in any openings around the outside of the electrical box with expandable spray foam (figure A).
- Safety Alert: Do not spray foam on the inside of the electrical box.
- Once the expandable foam has filled the cavity, follow up with a rubber light-switch gasket over the switch (figure B).
Replace the cover plate. Remember to turn on the power to the switch or outlet after you have finished. Electrical outlets can also be sealed using plastic foam sealers designed specifically for outlets (figure C). Filling Gaps in Your Home's Exterior There are also opportunities for improving energy efficiency on your home's exterior. Exposed exterior openings, such as areas around window frames or exterior vents, can allow air to pass through. The easiest technique for repairing smaller gaps is to use caulk. Materials: Gloves
Goggles
Caulk
Caulk gun Tip: There are various types and colors of caulk on the market. Check the labels to find the right type for your particular surface and purpose. Steps: - Locate the problem area. In our demonstration, cracks were identified surrounding a dryer vent on the home exterior.
- Cut tapered nozzle end at a 45-degree angle.
- Pierce the seal at the bottom of the nozzle.
- Load caulk tube into the gun (figure D).
- Apply the caulk (figure E). There are two ways to apply caulk -- either by pushing the bead ahead of the nozzle, or pulling the bead along the seam. Maintain constant pressure on the trigger to ensure a nice, easy flow of caulk.
Other potential problem areas around the exterior include places where two different materials join -- e.g., vinyl siding to brick or concrete, brick molding to siding, wood shingles to concrete. These spots can be more prone to gaps that can allow air to leak into the inside of the home. For larger gaps, spray-foam sealant works better than caulk. With gloves and goggles on, spray the foam sealant in the gap areas to fit the opening (figure F). The foam will expand to fill the opening (figure G) and will eventually dry to form a seal. There are various types of expanding sealant available (figure H) -- such as minimal expanding for smaller areas and triple expanding for larger areas that require greater expansion of the foam. Safety Alert: Always be sure to wear protective goggles and gloves when using spray foam sealant. Skin and/or eye contact is a serious health hazard.
RESOURCES :
136 Best Ways to Save on Your Home Energy
ISBN: 0376012048
(January, 2002)
Sunset Publishing Company (Division of Time Warner)
Website: www.sunset.com
Retrofitting for Energy Conservation
Model: 0070119201
Author: William H. Clark
McGraw-Hill Companies
Website: www.mcgraw-hill.com
Energy-Efficient Building: The Best of Fine Homebuilding
ISBN: 1561583405
From The Best of Fine Homebuilding book series.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com
Save Energy, Save Money
ISBN: 0028642791
Authors: Alvin Ubell, George Merlis
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com
Achieving Energy Independence -- One Step at a Time
Model: 0966933605
Author: Jeffrey R. Yago
Dunimis Technology
Solar Living Source Book: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies and Sustainable Living
Model: 0916571041
Author: John Schaeffer (Editor), Doug Pratt (Editor)
(Real Goods Solar Living Sourcebook, 11th Ed)
Real Goods
Website: www.realgoods.com
The Solar Electric House: Energy for the Environmentally-Responsive, Energy-Independent Home
ISBN: 0963738321
Author: Steven J. Strong, William G. Scheller
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Wind Energy Basics: A Guide to Small and Micro Wind Systems
Model: 1890132071
Author: Paul Gipe, Karen Perez
(Real Goods Solar Living Book)
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
Wind Power for Home & Business: Renewable Energy for the 1990s and Beyond
Model: 0930031644
Author: Paul Gipe
(Real Goods Independent Living Book)
Chelsea Green Publiishing Company
| 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
