It's the time of the year that I start putting my storm windows and covering leaky windows with plastic to stop drafts. Like always I started to do a little reading online to see what else I can do this fall to stop the drafts. The one thing I never thought of was how much energy you can lose through your outside wall electrical outlets. It makes perfect sense. Your outlets are cut into your drywall or plaster and go right out to your exterior wall.
Turn the power off at the main to your outlets, remove the covers and see of your outlets are insulated. If they are just wide open then you can really help your heating bill out by insulating them. You can pick up Foam Insulating Gaskets from your local hardware store for next to nothing. I haven't priced them out yet but most sources I have read suggest that they go for a dollar or two at best. You may have to cut them a bit if they don't fit your outlets but they should be a snap.
The Foam Insulation Gasket will help keep warm air in throughout the winter and also keep your air conditions air from seeping out in the summer. If you want to take it a step further you can buy those childproof covers that go into the electrical outlet themselves and really seal the air in.
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