We recently purchased a new home (new construction). As the weather
has gotten colder, I've started to notice cold air coming in through
my electrical outlets and light switches. (The light switches are
actually cold to the touch.) This is only occurring on the first
floor of my home and only along the northern exterior wall. Outlets
on all other exterior walls, and even the northern exterior wall on
the second floor, are fine.

The one thing that has me concerned is that the home is an "Energy
Star" home, so the cold air in the outlets and light switches was very
unexpected. I know that they used Tyvek wrap along with several other
insulating features when building the home. (If you're interested in
reading more about their insulating technique, it can be found on
their web site here... http://www.finelinehomes.com/features.asp).

I've read some tips here about the insulating gaskets for the
outlets. I've also read the tips about placing the child safety caps
in the outlets. I'm going to look into this, but my question is...
Is this an issue I should raise with the builder, or is this normal
for a home, even one that's supposed to be energy efficient?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!

On Jan 29, 5:41 pm, wrote:
We recently purchased a new home (new construction). As the weather
has gotten colder, I've started to notice cold air coming in through
my electrical outlets and light switches. (The light switches are
actually cold to the touch.) This is only occurring on the first
floor of my home and only along the northern exterior wall. Outlets
on all other exterior walls, and even the northern exterior wall on
the second floor, are fine.

The one thing that has me concerned is that the home is an "Energy
Star" home, so the cold air in the outlets and light switches was very
unexpected. I know that they used Tyvek wrap along with several other
insulating features when building the home. (If you're interested in
reading more about their insulating technique, it can be found on
their web site here...http://www.finelinehomes.com/features.asp).

I've read some tips here about the insulating gaskets for the
outlets. I've also read the tips about placing the child safety caps
in the outlets. I'm going to look into this, but my question is...
Is this an issue I should raise with the builder, or is this normal
for a home, even one that's supposed to be energy efficient?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!



It could be that the insulation inspector missed some things.

There should be insulation behind the outlet boxes and foam insulation
or caulk plugging the holes where the wires came into the box.

Taking off the cover plate on one of the boxes and maybe looking with
a flashlight should tell you if foam or caulk was used.

If you see none some can be added but be careful not to use too much--
just enough to plug the holes.

wrote:

On Jan 29, 5:41 pm, wrote:
We recently purchased a new home (new construction). As the weather
has gotten colder, I've started to notice cold air coming in through
my electrical outlets and light switches. (The light switches are
actually cold to the touch.) This is only occurring on the first
floor of my home and only along the northern exterior wall. Outlets
on all other exterior walls, and even the northern exterior wall on
the second floor, are fine.

The one thing that has me concerned is that the home is an "Energy
Star" home, so the cold air in the outlets and light switches was very
unexpected. I know that they used Tyvek wrap along with several other
insulating features when building the home. (If you're interested in
reading more about their insulating technique, it can be found on
their web site here...http://www.finelinehomes.com/features.asp).

I've read some tips here about the insulating gaskets for the
outlets. I've also read the tips about placing the child safety caps
in the outlets. I'm going to look into this, but my question is...
Is this an issue I should raise with the builder, or is this normal
for a home, even one that's supposed to be energy efficient?

Thanks in advance for any and all responses!



It could be that the insulation inspector missed some things.

There should be insulation behind the outlet boxes and foam insulation
or caulk plugging the holes where the wires came into the box.

Taking off the cover plate on one of the boxes and maybe looking with
a flashlight should tell you if foam or caulk was used.

If you see none some can be added but be careful not to use too much--
just enough to plug the holes.





That solves the air flow from the wall, but it
doesn't address the fact that cold air if flowing
into the wall which means poor construction.
Either holes to the outside or holes for pipe or
electrical cables that weren't sealed.