How to Insulate Electrical Outlets
Heating or cooling a house seems to get a bigger piece of the family budget every month. Sealing the air loss around the home is critical and one of the often forgotten leaks is the electrical and light outlets that reside on the exterior walls of the home. A simple and inexpensive fix performed by anyone with a screwdriver and an hour to spare can save you money.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Purchase or make your own thin foam insulation pads by cutting out rectangular pieces the size of your outlets. Cut a hole in the middle of the foam so it;s able to slide over the sockets yet still cover the outlet.
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2
Turn off the power to the sockets at the fuse panel. Remove the cover plates on the electrical outlets and light switches with a screwdriver. Look for large open spaces around the mounting boxes and fill them with small pieces of standard insulation. If the plugs and switches in your home are dated, not holding power cords well or show signs of overheating, now is a good time to replace them.
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3
Inspect the wall cover itself for cracks or holes. Replace any broken covers with new ones that match the rest of the decor. Check the screw pattern of the cases carefully before purchasing new covers.
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4
Place the foam inserts over the outlet plugs and light switches. Verify the existing hole in the wall is covered and screw the wall cover back on.
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5
Put plastic plugs into unused sockets to keep air from escaping through the plug itself. These handy plugs are at most hardware stores next to the foam insulation inserts.
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6
Switch the power back on at the breaker box and inspect each outlet to ensure it is working properly. Use a small electrical tool or appliance to verify each plug has power.
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Tips & Warnings
Changing power outlets is dangerous; use a professional if you have any doubts about your ability.
