With winter just around the corner, it's time to start checking door weather stripping and thresholds, caulking around windows and other areas that cold air can get into your house and warm air inside can escape. A very cheap and easy way to accomplish this is to install receptacle and switch insulators. You can buy these at most hardware stores and are very cheap. They are made of a foam insulation that simply installs between the receptacle or switch cover and the wall and takes only a minute to install each.

First, remove the screw(s) that hold the outlet or switch cover on and remove. place the insulator over the receptacle or switch and reinstall the cover....it's that simple. I understand that some people are very nervous working around electrical wiring, but if you are careful not to poke your fingers inside the box and touch the wiring or wiring screws, you will be fine. Of course, you can also just turn off the breakers.

These insulators are most effective on the walls next to the exterior of the house, especially on older homes with little or no wall insulation. Many people may think that the cracks in these covers are so small that this would make little difference, but I have inspected homes on a cold windy day and can feel cold air pouring through. If you were to take all these small cracks on every receptacle and switch and add them together, it would like having a window cracked open. The only problem is having to move furniture to install these, so I try to remember to advise customers to install them before moving in.

One thing to remember when it comes to home energy improvements is that it's all the small things that add up.

Kent Keith

Fort Worth / Dallas Home Inspector

www.fortworthinspector.com