Cold air sneaking in under a door or around a window makes your heater run longer. These fixes go on in minutes and come off when you move out.
Quick answer: start with the door. A slide-under draft stopper needs no tools or adhesive and fixes the biggest gap in most rooms. Then cover drafty windows with clear shrink film for the winter and peel it off in spring.
| Pick | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|
| MAXTID Under-Door Draft Stopper, 38" | Most renter-safe door fix | Check price on Amazon |
| Holikme Door Draft Stopper 41" (adhesive sweep) | Best for a big gap under an outside door | Check price on Amazon |
| Duck Brand Indoor Window Insulation Kit | Best value for several windows | Check price on Amazon |
| Frost King Indoor Shrink Window Kit (9-pack) | Best for single windows | Check price on Amazon |
Hold a hand near the bottom of the door on a cold, windy day. If you can feel air moving, a draft stopper will help.
Most renter-safe door fix
Slides under the door, with no adhesive and no screws, so it leaves nothing behind when you move out. Cut to fit narrower doors.
Watch out: Can drag on thick carpet; measure the gap first.
Check price on Amazon
Best for a big gap under an outside door
A stick-on door sweep that closes larger gaps and stays on the door when it opens and closes.
Watch out: The adhesive can mark paint; ask your landlord or test on a hidden spot first.
Check price on AmazonShrink film turns a leaky window into a sealed pocket of still air. It's clear once tightened with a hairdryer.
Best value for several windows
Clear shrink film that seals over the inside of the window frame with double-sided tape and a hairdryer. One kit covers up to 10 windows.
Watch out: Tape can lift paint on old frames; peel slowly with a hairdryer when you remove it.
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Best for single windows
Pre-cut sheets for standard windows, so there's less trimming. Same shrink-film method.
Watch out: Measure first; each sheet fits up to 42 x 62 in.
Check price on AmazonA draft pulls warm air out and cold air in, so a heater in that room switches off less often. Blocking it means the same heater cycles off sooner, which you can see in the space heater calculator by moving "how often it's heating" down a step.
Slide-under stoppers and removable film leave nothing behind. Adhesive sweeps and tape can lift paint, so test on a hidden spot, warm the tape with a hairdryer before peeling, and ask your landlord if you're unsure.
Yes, most renters can. It goes on the inside frame with double-sided tape and comes off in spring. Warm the tape with a hairdryer and peel slowly to avoid lifting paint.
A slim slide-under stopper or a stick-on sweep with soft bristles. Thick foam stoppers can drag on carpet; measure the gap under the door first.
They reduce cold air coming in, so your heat runs less to hold the same temperature. The savings depend on how big the gap is; the cost is low enough that a large, obvious draft is almost always worth blocking.