| If your energy bills are going through the roof and | | | | switchplates often cover quite sizable holes going |
| you're wondering what to do about it, switch | | | | back behind plasterboard or supporting walls. |
| plates may be the answer. These small and | | | | Multiplying energy leakage per switch plate by the |
| inexpensive items may make the difference | | | | number of outlets soon adds up to a big drain on |
| between cold, draughty rooms that cost you an | | | | resources. |
| arm and a leg to heat, and a well-insulated house | | | | So how can you insulate your switch plates? The |
| where temperate air circulates in the correct | | | | good news is that the solution can be quick, |
| fashion. | | | | effective and inexpensive. The product that is |
| The first thing to find out is what is causing the | | | | required is called a foam gasket. This is an |
| problem. Start with the obvious. You probably | | | | expanded polystyrene-type of foam cover that |
| wouldn't leave windows open in the middle of | | | | fits in and around the electrical outlet hole to block |
| winter, but check to see if the windows shut | | | | off the passage of air currents. To fit them, you |
| properly and whether or not they are | | | | unscrew the switch plate. You then fit the foam |
| double-glazed. Roof insulation is also worth | | | | cover over the aperture where the electrical |
| verifying. All done? If you have had your windows | | | | outlet arrives, and finally screw back on the |
| replaced recently with better insulated ones, then | | | | switch plate. |
| you can move on to the next step; switch plates. | | | | Make sure that you do this for electrical outlets |
| Time to get down on your hands and knees to | | | | that were never meant to be part of the |
| check your electrical outlets. Each electrical outlet | | | | ventilation, rather than air vents that were |
| is a prime suspect for the leakage of warmth out | | | | designed into vent the house. It's important to |
| of your house. You can test for cold air | | | | leave these purpose-installed air vents in an |
| movement by putting your face close to the | | | | operational state, because you need some |
| outlet. Your cheeks and eyes are typically very | | | | movement of air to mix the cooler, dryer outside |
| sensitive to cold air moving across them. | | | | air with the warmer, moister inside air. If you |
| Otherwise a standard candle will soon show air | | | | blocked up every single hole possible, the warm, |
| currents by a fluttering flame or smoke being | | | | moist air would stay trapped inside your house |
| blown across. If this happens, it's time to make a | | | | and lead to problems of dampness, mold and |
| (modest) investment in insulating your | | | | associated conditions. |
| switchplates. | | | | However, by targeting the electrical outlets whose |
| The reason why it's worth taking the time to | | | | sole purpose should be to bring you electricity and |
| check out your switch plates is because although | | | | not cold air, insulating behind your switch plates |
| each one may seem small, there are likely to be | | | | can mean a major difference in comfort and |
| a lot of them in your house. In addition, | | | | reduction of energy bills. |