Adjust That Threshold to Save Energy Dollars

Saving energy can be really involved or it can be simple and inexpensive. Today we are going to talk about a couple things that are very inexpensive to do that will save energy which in turn will save you dollars.


The first tip we are going to discuss is how to adjust the threshold on your exterior door. The adjustable type thresholds we know today were patented around 1980 and are basically the same mechanically today. Of course materials have changed substantially. To see if it needs adjusting close the door and lay on the floor with your head sideways (ear to the ground) looking under the door. Visible light means you should adjust the threshold.


Open your door and you will see 4 or 5 large screw heads on top of the threshold. There may be plastic caps or even a vinyl strip covering them. If there is no protection the slots may be filled in with dirt. It is very important to clean them out so the screwdriver fits in correctly. The most effective way I have found is to use a utility knife to loosen the debris in the slots and then a can of compressed air, the kind you would use to clean your computer keyboard out. I you don’t have any compressed air you can blow through a drinking straw to remove the loose dirt.

Screwdrivers come in various sizes, make sure to use the largest one that will fit, which in this case will probably be a #3 (large) and most likely Phillips, although I have seen them in the slotted variety. When you are turning the screw make sure to put a lot of downward pressure on the screwdriver so it doesn’t slip out of the head and damage it. You will have to turn each screw about 3 full turns to get a 1/16” rise although this will vary depending on the manufacturer.

If the screw won’t turn, you can these remedies. Set the screwdriver in the slot and tap the screwdriver handle with a hammer (tapping on a wooden handle screwdriver may cause it to crack) and try it again. You can hit the screw about ½ as hard as it would take to drive a nail into a block of wood. If this doesn’t work try spraying some WD-40 or penetrating oil onto the screw head and let it sit as per the instructions on the can. A tip to keep the oil on the screw head is to place a cotton ball on the top of the screw head and soak the cotton ball with the oil and let it sit. Of course you will have to wait until it gets warmer for that.


Adjust the screws turning them one at a time and closing the door and checking for light. Do not turn them too much as this will cause excessive wear and make the door hard to close. If you used penetrating oil of any kind make sure you wipe it up as it will attract more dirt.


Now that you have adjusted the front door don’t forget about the back door and if you have an attached garage check that door too.