Homeowners can cut heating and cooling costs with simple door and blind adjustments

Sealing gaps at the bottom of entry doors with adhesive rubber or foam weatherstripping, or even a homemade fabric “door snake,” can stop cold drafts in winter, reducing the load on heating systems and saving energy.

During summer heat waves, keeping exterior blinds closed from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. blocks solar radiation before it reaches the glass, while interior blinds are far less effective. Opening windows and blinds after the temperature drops at night (around 10 p.m.) allows a cross‑draft that cools the interior without using air‑conditioning.