How to Reduce Air Drafts from Electrical Outlets and Switches

When tracking down air drafts in the home we often focus on the most obvious sources of air leaks, mainly windows and doors. However, there's another place air could be creeping in – through electrical outlets and switches.

When outlets and switches are installed there is often a gap around the box and the drywall that is not air tight. Because interior walls are usually not insulated, air can flow through them easily. Even insulated exterior walls can have open spaces that allow airflow.

A simple and inexpensive way to stop drafts from outlets and switches is to remove the cover and install pre-cut foam insulation pads. The pads fit snugly between the outlet box and the cover plate to seal the air gap. The insulation pads are available at most hardware and home stores and come in different sizes to fit most outlets and switches.