As winter temperatures drop, many of us focus on sealing up windows and doors, but there is a tiny, overlooked spot quietly draining your heat and hiking your energy bills – Your outlets.
As small as they may be, these weak points are ‘basically holes in your walls’, heating experts point out. Luckily, they are quick, easy, and cheap to draft-proof, our pros assure.
How To Insulate Outlets
Knowing how and where to insulate your home to keep it warm often requires thinking outside the box.
Dan Cronen, HVAC expert at SupplyHouse, says, ‘An outlet on an exterior wall is basically a hole in the wall. Sure, it’s covered, but it is not normally sealed. Year-round, your heated or air-conditioned air will be bleeding through those gaps, and that is heat or AC you paid for.
'If you live in new construction, it likely will be sealed up pretty tight already, but the older and poorer insulated and sealed your home is, the more money that is seeping through the cracks.’
To instantly make heating more efficient and insulate your wall to lower bills, Dan suggests finding pre-cut insulating foam pads. They are available at all big box stores, he assures – for instance, the Frost King Weatherstrip Plates from Lowe’s for light switches, or the MD Building Products Outlet Foam Sealers from The Home Depot.
You do not need to do this for outlets on interior walls, just those that lead outside.
The Five-Minute Fix
Unscrew the cover plate, slip the appropriate gasket behind it, and screw it back on. It’s a do-it-once, last forever home improvement that will save you money from that moment on,’ Dan explains. It is probably best to turn the electrics off at the main breaker first, for safety. This multi-head screwdriver kit from Walmart will also help to remove the covers.
To really seal off drafts, Jon Gilbertson, HVAC expert and president at Chris Heating & Cooling, also suggests, ‘a bead of silicone around the outside of the box works great for stopping those tiny drafts coming through exterior-wall outlets.’
You can find top-rated GE silicone at Walmart. Jon adds, ‘When picking a foam insulating gasket, make sure it matches your outlet type so it seals fully behind the wall plate: Single, double, two-gang, or three-gang. Foam gaskets around 3mm thick block drafts much better than paper-thin ones.'
When it comes to the outlet itself, Dan then suggests investing in some child-proof outlet covers, available at Walmart. ‘You know, the ones you put in to keep little Johnny from learning about electricity the hard way with a fork in the outlet? Air can leak through the holes for the prongs on the plug as well, so those safety covers will close them up.'
If you have a newer home or replace your receptacles with tamper-proof outlets, they close themselves off when not in use, so you don’t need to worry about it.
What to Shop
These switch plate weatherstrips are made of UL-listed fire-retardant plastic to block drafts safely.
These foam insulators are UL rated for fire resistance and are invisible after installation.
Every home should have a complete screwdriver set, even if you are not big on DIY, for quick fixes that don't require an expert.
Silicone is a great tool for blocking drafts all over your home, including around outlets, windows, and doors.
Designed for children, these outlet covers can also help to block drafts through the outlet itself for a warmer home.
This weather stripping applies around windows and doors to form a tighter seal and prevent drafts.
Meet the Experts
Dan is an HVAC expert at Supplyhouse who studies heating and cooling systems in detail and knows how different parts work together. He gives practical guidance that helps people make sense of equipment, product specs, and common system questions.
Jon Gilbertson began his career as a technician at Chris Mechanical, the family-owned business founded by his father in 2005. The company has always focused on providing affordable and tailored HVAC comfort solutions to families in West Chicago, IL. After taking over the business, Jon rebranded it as Chris Heating & Cooling, while continuing to apply his deep expertise in HVAC systems. Despite his leadership role, Jon remains hands-on in operations, ensuring the company's long-standing tradition of exceptional service in the community.
Adding insulation is a big part of keeping a poorly insulated home warm, but it isn’t the only upgrade worth investing in. Consider a smart thermostat to program the perfect winter heating schedule and avoid energy wastage that way, too.
