Energy Efficiency Upgrade - How to Seal Up Outlets
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- All the outlets on the exterior walls of the home can contribute to higher heating and cooling bills. The steps in this video show how to properly insulate each outlet to maximize the home's energy efficiency.
Bad Idea - violates NEC 110.12B, and is a fire hazard. Foam around the box is ok - foam inside the box is not.
That's what I have been told as well. No foam inside the box.
That's right, I've done this on my home but I used any culking sealant for window trim and base molding and is cheaper and safer.
What if you wrap the sides of the electrical box with the electrical tape and use fire resistant foam. Looks like he's using fire resistant foam by the color.
I felt significant cold air blowing in my exterior outlet one day as I plugged in a lamp.
Quick fix was duct tape!
Orange foam is fire resistant. I can't speak for fire codes in your area if this method is acceptable or not. Either way, keep in mind that wet foam is capable of conducting electricity. If u go this route, be sure the foam is completely dry b4 putting power back to it.
All that work and you don’t replace the old outlet....
Plus it’s upside down if I’m not mistaken?
Never let this dude make you a sandwich...
Isn't putting foam inside the box a fire hazard?
The orange foam is fire block foam
@@gilbertoalejo1635 That doesn't mean it's non combustible, it actually still burns.
They make a little gadget that will tell you if the power is still on. Or just plug in a nightlight.That would have been a good time to replace that worn plug-in also. They are really cheap.
There are gaskets for sale that go on top of the outlet, behind the plate. Also use child proof plugs with the cutouts from the gaskets on the prongs.
Awesome answer. I followed your advice with the gaskets.
@@MrThomasAnderson7892 I tried those and they don't work
I'm not having great improvement with the gaskets either.
Going to foam it this summer.
The cold air comes through the plug holes, not the edges.
The gaskets are a wate of money. Air comes through the receptable openings.
Foam in the box violates code but polish installed outlets violate common sense....
10 minutes of effort to fix the outlets would allow for proper sealing ( outlet removed and is out of the way and the “non-conductive” tube could be placed in the holes thus filling them from the outside in) and proper install of outlet could be performed. Just saying.
What if the foam catches fire ? Or you need to go back in to do electrical work ? This is a horrible idea. Simply, use socket cover gaskets instead, they will seal the outlet plate right up to the wall.
I just tried this today and I was disappointed it was still blowing in significantly cold air. Feels like it didn’t do anything at all
@@JoshRock84 hey which one you try the foam or the gasket?
If but no different than a house catching fire and attic spray foamed yes it will off gas some but that’s what smoke and fire detectors there for and all said and done long as family makes it out alive that’s what insurance for
No disrespect but I see R.Y.W in not an electrical contractor. outside good, inside no good. cool in the summer hot in the winter and possibly on fire at some time. safer to use those foam outlet covers. there is a reason you can only have so much length of wire inside a box and no conduit covering. it all adds up to taking up space where heat needs to dissipate.
Instructions unclear, outlet bursted into flames and burned my entire wall and curtains.
Lol
Glad you had a good experience
What if there is insulation in the wall behind the drywall? How would i get the Romax from the original outlet to the new location of the outlet?
The outlet is upside down and foam inside outside that will expand and push on wire, it’s a no no.
@ Minh
There is no correct orientation for receptacles inside plastic/fiberglass boxes. You may have them either way. Even sideways, if desired. With metal boxes, receptacles are usually installed this way the way the video shows.
New code says they should infact be installed upside down. That way if something falls on something plugged in, it hits the ground rather than the two leads
Might be a switched outlet.
So can you use clear silicone caulk in the holes and around the box?
I cut the cord to my dryer every morning I go down there and put my tongue on it I do this to wake me up after my cup of coffee.
LOL
Does this really work?
Huh, strange. I also plug myself into my gym's electrical outlet before I deadlift.
WOW. I remember song of Scooter - FIRE!!!
A home energy specialist lol.
I made sure I had my wife standing next to the receptacle to test it when I put the power back on!😁
So you re-installed the outlet upside down? Pro Freshin all
@ Chris
There is no correct orientation for receptacles inside plastic/fiberglass boxes. You may have them either way. Even sideways, if desired. With metal boxes, receptacles are usually installed this way the way the video shows.
So you commented on something you know nothing about?
The new electrical code calls for installing the outlet upside-down as it helps prevent an electrical fire if whatever is plugged into it slips out of the outlet (slightly) and something falls between said plug and the hot outlet.
@@johnliles4975 The NEC, at least as of revision 2020 (latest) does not specify ground prong up or down. The argument for ground pin up is to prevent things falling on half-exposed prongs. The argument for ground down is that it will keep people's index fingers from slipping and making contact with the live prong(s) when doing things like unplugging extension cords.
It's a topic that's been argued by sparkies on forums for years, and will continue to be until the NEC takes a stance on it.
That's terrible, you are pulling outlets upside down. No fom inside of the box, that is a terrible thing to do.
I prefer ground pin up on outlets that will see general service use. I figure if a conductive material drops from above, the ground pin prevents a short. Of course, ground pin down behind the fridge and such. Just my 2 cents.
@@3qs well according to 2000 NEC grounds on top. But maybe it changed
The next time that outlet needs replacing (which from the looks of it SOON) whoever replaces it will be cussin you big time
that's what i was thinking. the next person that comes along to replace a bad box is going to have a hell of a time getting that one loose.
@@texdawg0212no big deal simply remove foam easy no hard no but adds time yes.But well worth the comfort and energy savings.People saying fire hazard hell candles and plug ins are a fire hazard and people use them.The foam does no harm if applied properly
This guy has learned the hard way. Ask his barber
He put the outlet back into the box upside down! And yeah, don't put foam in the box.
@@ericdressen industry standard is with the ground down but either way is fine.
Np with foam inside box, just has to be the 14 dollar one that’s fire rated and has to be dry before installing outlet back in place
He did not show what type of foam he used, I take the outlets out completely stick the fire rated foam through the empty holes than put electrical tape over the holes on the inside of the box
That way the foam seals the back of the box, but does not take up room on the inside
There's no correct way to have that outlet, either way is fine. In fact, in some places it's mandatory to put them in with the ground plug up.
@DeusExAstra Agreed. One job I worked one time, it was in the job specs for ground side up when installing receptacles. In the remote chance, if a stainless plate is used and becomes loose, it could fall down across a hot and neutral blade of the plug-in appliance, creating a short.
The receptacle can be installed either way. There is no set rule by the NEC.
Only on outside is ok
(Electrical outlet is upside down !!)Ground should be on bottom. NOT to CODE
Your wrong group goes up
Code got updated
There has never been a code that requires a specific receptacle orientation in residential. But "upside down" is technically better and more correct and actually required in some commercial building codes.
Is the foam Non Flammable??
No foam is non flammable, this is fire block foam identified by the orange color. Fire block foam is still highly flammable though, there's just more of a time limit before it combusts, which is why it's not rated as a fire stop.
This foam is also only approved as a fire block in beads as wide as 1 5/16" or 33mm. Larger than that is not code or an approved fire block.
Many spray foams have the fire block capability but are uncolored, the orange coloring is specifically for ease of identification during code inspection.
Why is the outlet upside down?
Because it's controlled by a light switch so you can plug in a lamp and use the light switch to turn on/off
I don’t think putting foam in there is a good move at all
Can u say fire hazard
Oh god when I saw him foaming the inside of the box big no no
Code and safety violation!
That's a whole lot of nope! Never put that in the box
Wow horrible idea. Spray foam will cause the wires to overheat possibly causing a fire. Just buy foam electrical outlet covers. The only way to really insulate an electrical outlet is when you are installing like new construction. Everything after is a band-aid.
Foam inside an electrical box is wrong, a code violation and a safety hazard. This video should be removed.
This is not right.
Is no one going to talk about that outlet being installed upside down?
Upside down Outlets are permitted per code.
Upside-down outlets are the new way of doing it. It helps prevent an electrical fire if whatever is plugged in slightly comes out of the outlet and something like cloth or paper or anything else thin enough slips between the device plug and the hot outlet. With the ground being "up" you wouldn't have that issue.
NO NO NO!! Viewers, please don’t do this. I just spent the better part of an hour scraping out this “Great Stuff” from around a receptacle in order to replace it. With USB ports available on receps now, and other smart tech innovations, of course you’ll want to upgrade at some point. This is the same thing as super-gluing your receps into the boxes. Dumb idea.
Lol, he just spray foamed his outlets in place. Sucks for who ever has to do any work on them....
Insulating foam is not flammable. Unsure what fire hazard everyone is worried about.
They do sell non-flammable spray foam sealant - which should be used in this scenario. It's less important around windows & doors, so the foam you cut & burned was probably the cheaper Great Stuff or equivalent. Even the plasic boxes, however, are only fire resistant (rated to resist burning for 2 minutes), & they are located next to the wood stud. Bad wiring can cause a fire, regardless.
Heat entrapment is where the fire starts
The box needs space. The foam fills that space. The space is important for dissipating the heat from the wires and receptacle. This is why a box of a given size can only accommodate a limited number of wires.
@@gilbes1139Lol there ain't gonna be no heat dissipation if you plug the hole. Who cares about space.
I have a can of that great stuff fire block foam, it specific says that the cured foam is combustible not to expose it to sparks or flames. 250F and above and it's like any polyurethane or other foam, an accelerant. With limitations however it can work as a fire block (not a firestop).
It is approved as a penetration sealant where the width of the bead does not exceed 1 5/16". Inside of an electrical box is against code regardless of material used, it must be from OUTSIDE the box for the wire openings and either this fire block foam or a fire block caulk. Only from outside, not inside.
Not addressing the problem what your doing is illegal you should be sued.