Jim Bradley and Chris West; builder and consultant, discuss building science topics and take calls from listeners on a live radio show. This is the recording of those radio shows and other additional videos that Jim and Chris make about building science, the building industry in Northern Vermont and Vermont State as well as regional and national topics.
Air sealing an electrical box in a house in VT is like squirting a squirt gun into the ocean. Most towns here have no inspectors and builders are running wild. Air leaking into a switch box is probably the least of the problems with your home. Furthermore, you don’t want to air seal your home at all if you don’t have mechanical ventilation.
There are foam gaskets that go over the outlet and switches, underneath the wall plate. They are cheap, easy to install, and work great. Also, keep the knockouts from the gasket and put them onto the prongs of childproof outlet plugs. Insert these plugs into any unused outlet, especially on outside walls.
@@vector006 He said it at 18 seconds...There are many videos by energy experts, some also using infrared imaging, showing they DO work. This depends upon each individual outlet or switch in each location, and using them alone. Combining them with the caulking and foaming is a belt and suspenders sure-fire fix. They are certainly cheap enough to use.
The problem here is that using foam in the knockouts is against code because most foam is flammable. Even fire rated foam is recommended only for outside the electrical box. The box is your first line of defense in case of sparks or overheating of wires. The foam could melt, smolder or catch on fire. Not saying now, but years in the future due to age. Fire rated Silicone might be a better solution as I have seen some electricians use that for knockout plugging, making sure to keep the majority of the silicon outside of the box.
Hi Jim and Chris... Last week I wrote dwn the address for your domestic home air test kit...(I have other people who want to get it also). I was unable to find it anywhere.. Today 1/9/21 I called WDEV radio and I'm here, following your lead to contact you, hoping to retrieve more info. Sure hope we can get in touch. jim s
Thank you both for the great information. This is a great resource! One question. How often should you vacuum out the dust collector in the hot water heater?
