How to Install Insulation Around Electrical Outlets

Measure the length of the wall cavity where the outlet is installed (if using one continuous roll of insulation). Cut a length of wall insulation to this length.

Place a 6-foot step ladder in front of the wall cavity. Climb the ladder with the section of insulation and staple gun in hand (use 1/2-inch staples). Push one end of the insulation into the top end of the cavity between the side wall studs. Make sure the insulation's paper retarder is facing outwards toward the room. Staple the retarder's side lips to the sides of the wall studs starting at the top of the insulation section. Continue pushing the insulation into the cavity, installing staples to the studs on each side, every eight inches.

Hold the insulation over the front of the outlet box. It will hang in front of the box so will not have to be held in place. Lightly push the insulation against the front of the box, and use a carpenter's pencil to mark the paper retarder in the location of the box's perimeter. Cut through the insulation around the box markings to create a hole the same shape/size as the outlet box on the side of the insulation section.

Push the free-hanging insulation into the cavity between the side wall studs so that the insulation nestles around the outlet box on all three sides (the outlet will attach to the side wall stud on the fourth side). Staple the retarder lip to the side stud immediately above and below the outlet box to secure the insulation around the outlet. Continue stapling the other areas of the retarder lips to the wall studs every eight inches.