Electrical Insulation Gasket Pads for Electrical Outlets and Switches

By Mark J. Donovan

One way you can eliminate cold drafts from your home this winter is to install electrical insulation gasket pads underneath your outside wall electrical outlet and switch covers. Outside wall electrical switch and outlet boxes are notorious for letting cold drafts into your home due to the fact that fiberglass batt or rolled insulation is often not installed correctly around them.

Electrical insulating gasket pads, or electrical insulation pads, are inexpensive and easy to install. For safety purposes first turn off power to the electrical outlet or switch at the main circuit panel. Next remove the electrical outlet or switch cover plate. Then, using a circuit tester or digital multimeter, test the electrical switch or outlet to make sure power is indeed shut off to it.

Next remove the appropriate cutout section from the electrical insulation gasket pad and place the pad over the surface of the electrical outlet or switch. Reattach the electrical cover plate, turn power back on to the switch or outlet, and your cold drafts associated with your electrical outlets and switches are history.