The insulation of our home or business is not as noticeable during the warmer months of the year (Spring, Summer and Fall), and you probably will not notice any issues until sometime during the winter months.
For example, last February, I needed to replace a dimmer switch in a junction box located on an exterior wall. When I removed the faceplate cover, I could feel cold air pouring into the junction box. I know because I insulated the exterior walls myself prior to the hanging and taping the sheet rock. After correcting the cold air draft problem I did some research and discovered that the average heat and cold air loss is typically about 2-5% annually.
Although 5% heat loss is not considered huge, over a period of years and as energy prices continue to rise, this equates to thousands of lost dollars.
With a better insulated home, the less energy and heat loss is experienced, and the less money will be spent and wasted on heating and cooling bills.
Behind the junction box of a switch or receptacle, the wall cavity on the exterior wall is causing air to leak into and out of the home. One of the fastest and most cost-efficient methods to reduce unwanted air flow through these areas is to seal the space using EPCO’s Wall Plate Insulation Gasket. A “thin”, white foam gasket that fits perfectly inside the standard faceplate cover.
The Wall Plate Insulation Gasket blocks air drafts coming from the outside exterior wall without interfering with electricity flow. The gasket is very affordable and cost about $0.17 per unit. It is perforated to fit, standard toggle or decora style (paddle) light switches, and decora or standard residential grade receptacles. If your outlets aren’t insulated, it is very easy to do yourself. For my 2,600 square foot home, it took about an hour, depending on how many switches or receptacles you want to insulate and how many times you have to let the dog in and out of the house.
So, during your next “in-person” sales call (or your Zoom Meeting Conference Call), I highly recommend you show, tell, and sell EPCO’s Wall Plate Insulation Gasket. The perfect energy savings solution for Residential and Commercial Contractors.
The following is the process I used to install the Wall Plate Insulation Gasket:
Insulate the Junction Box
- For safety, turn off the respective circuit breaker which corresponds to the switch or receptacle you will be working on. Start with insulating the switches or receptacles located on external walls.
- Use a flat blade screwdriver to remove the screw(s) from the faceplate. Then remove the faceplate cover.
- Remove the perforated cut-outs for the switch or receptacle style.
- Line up the hole(s) in the gasket with the hole in the faceplate and replace the screw(s).
- Repeat these steps for each receptacle and light switch for any exterior wall throughout the house.
- Restore power to all outlets once you’re finished.
Remember, now is the time to insulate all areas for the upcoming Winter.
Authored By: Allen Guidry III, Marketing Manager