That draft behind outlets and switches is a classic. I see it all the time, especially in older homes where air sealing wasn’t even a thought. The foam gaskets help a bit, but honestly, if you’ve got big gaps around the boxes themselves, you’ll still feel it. I’ve seen folks use spray foam around the box (behind the drywall, not in the box itself), which works well if you’re already doing some patching. Fiberglass is better than nothing, but it doesn’t really stop airflow—just slows it down.
On windows, you’re spot on about shrink film. It’s ugly, but it’s cheap and actually does something for single panes. I’ve replaced a lot of old windows, and while it’s a big upfront cost, the comfort difference is night and day—no more standing next to a window and feeling like you’re outside. But yeah, it’s not always in the budget.
Heated towel racks? I’ve installed a couple for clients. Most say they’re a nice luxury but not a game changer on bills or comfort. Fun, but not essential.
Plugging every gap helps, but if your insulation or windows are really lacking, you’ll hit diminishing returns. Still, those little fixes do add up—especially if you can’t swing the big upgrades yet. Sometimes it’s just about making winter a little less annoying.
I get the point about little fixes adding up, but honestly, I tried foam gaskets and spray foam last winter and didn’t notice much difference. What actually helped more was just using heavy curtains and draft stoppers. Cheaper, less hassle, and I could feel the room stay warmer.
I get where you're coming from—curtains and draft stoppers are definitely quicker to set up, and you can feel the difference right away. But I’ve found that the foam gaskets and spray foam work best over time, especially if you’re dealing with older outlets or gaps you can’t see. The thing is, those fixes are more like “set it and forget it.” You might not notice a dramatic change in one room, but if you seal up enough little leaks all over, it adds up across the whole house.
Here’s how I look at it: I did a combo last year—foam gaskets behind outlet covers, spray foam in the basement rim joists, then layered on the curtains and draft snakes. My heating bill dropped a bit, but honestly, it was only after sealing up the less obvious spots that I noticed the furnace wasn’t kicking on as much. It’s a bit of a pain upfront, but once it’s done, you don’t have to think about it every winter.
If you’re not seeing much difference from foam, maybe there are bigger leaks somewhere else? Attic hatches, old weatherstripping, or even mail slots can be sneaky culprits. Sometimes it’s just a matter of tracking down the real trouble spots.
It’s a bit of a pain upfront, but once it’s done, you don’t have to think about it every winter.
That’s exactly what I found too. The first winter after I did all the tedious “invisible” stuff—foam gaskets, caulking around the windows, even crawling into the crawlspace to plug up some gaps—I was kind of skeptical. Didn’t really notice much at first, but then halfway through January I realized I wasn’t running around in three sweaters like usual. My wife joked that the house felt “less haunted,” which is probably just code for fewer cold spots.
I will say, though, I underestimated just how much air leaks out of attic hatches and those weird little spots no one thinks about. One year I went up there with a stick of incense (I know, sounds nuts) and just watched where the smoke drifted. Turns out the hatch was basically an open window... threw some weatherstripping on it and wow, what a difference. Not as satisfying as throwing up new curtains or laying down a chunky draft stopper, but it all adds up.
One thing I haven’t totally figured out is old storm windows—mine are ancient and leaky but replacing them is $$$. For now I just use that clear plastic film in the winter. Not pretty, but it works in a pinch.
Anyway, agree 100% that finding those sneaky leaks pays off more than you’d expect. Sometimes it’s not glamorous work, but my heating bill says thanks every year.
That incense trick is genius—never thought of that, but now I’m tempted to give it a try just for the spectacle. Attic hatches really are sneaky culprits; I put some rigid foam board up there with weatherstripping and it made a noticeable difference. As for those old storm windows, I’m in the same boat. Replacing them is just not in the cards right now, so I’ve been layering up with the plastic film too. Not the prettiest, but honestly, I’ll take function over form when the wind’s howling outside. Funny how the little fixes add up more than you’d expect.
- Rigid foam board and weatherstripping—solid choices. I did the same on my attic hatch and saw fewer drafts right away.
- Plastic film over storm windows isn’t glamorous, but it’s practical. It actually holds up better than I expected, even through a couple of cold snaps.
- Those “quick fixes” definitely add up. I was skeptical at first, but after sealing a few gaps and adding some insulation, my furnace isn’t kicking on nearly as much.
- Only thing I’d add: check for gaps around electrical outlets too. Surprising how much air sneaks in there.
- Sometimes it’s the not-so-pretty solutions that save you the most money...
Sometimes it’s the not-so-pretty solutions that save you the most money...
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen folks spend big on fancy upgrades, but honestly, sealing up those little gaps makes a bigger difference than people think. Outlet gaskets are cheap and surprisingly effective. Nice work sticking with the basics—it really pays off.
Funny you mention outlet gaskets—I just put some in last month, and I was honestly surprised how much less drafty the living room felt. I also used weatherstripping around the attic hatch, which made a noticeable difference. Sometimes it’s the tiny upgrades that have the biggest impact.
Sometimes it’s the tiny upgrades that have the biggest impact.
That’s fair, though I sometimes wonder if people overestimate how much those little fixes actually help. Outlet gaskets and weatherstripping are good, but in my experience, a lot of the real heat loss comes from old windows or poorly insulated walls. Ever checked your window frames for drafts? I’ve seen folks spend a bunch on small stuff and still have freezing rooms because their windows are leaky. Not saying the gaskets don’t help, but I’d be curious if you noticed any difference after doing the attic hatch versus before? Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s making the biggest change...
Funny you mention that—when I sealed my attic hatch, I honestly expected a bigger difference than I got. It helped a bit with drafts upstairs, but the real game-changer was fixing the gaps around my old windows. Outlet gaskets felt more like peace of mind than anything measurable. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s making the most impact until you’ve tried a few things and lived with them through a winter, I guess.