So this is not a life hack that will save you tons of money on your electric bill but I assume if you are reading this you are already pretty savvy about ways to reduce your electric bill. Common ways to save energy include adjusting your thermostat to slightly uncomfortable temperatures no matter the season (or going without conditioned air in the spring and fall), installing LED light bulbs, adding insulation to ones attic, and sealing up window and door jams, to name some common areas that may need improvement.

Sorry sports fans, this is a smaller improvement. But the good news is, it’s super easy to do, I don’t hear many people discuss it, and depending on your house could make a decent improvement on keeping conditioned air in your house or outside air out. I’m talking about outlet and light switch insulators.

Yes anyone with a good ol common (flat blade) screw driver can seal all the outlets and light switches on outside walls in your house in probably an hour or less. All that is required is the removal of the cover plate on your outlet or light switch, punch out the appropriate foam tabs, place the foam insert around the receptacle, and then replace the cover plate. Anyone can perform this task, the foam inserts are a couple bucks and this can definitely keep a sneaky source of air loss in place. Sorry it’s not more of a revelation, but the title did say every last “cent” and not every last Benjamin out of your bill, you were warned. In summary, a cheap, easy, quick energy improvement that will help your wallet and help the planet (slightly, get off my back Greta Thunberg!)