Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and it settles to the bottom of the hive and flows out the bottom entrance. Water vapor rises from the cluster. In hives that do not have a top entrance, the water vapor hits the cool surface of the lid, condenses and drips on the cluster. Top entrances allow water vapor to escape. In addition, bottom entrances can be shut off with dead bees.
Top entrances allow bees to take cleansing flights when bottom entrances are blocked.
In mild winters, dead bees are removed from the colony. In severe winters, they accumulate on the bottom board and can block the entrance. Winter wraps pay for themselves every year in reduced honey consumption. There are many ways to wrap colonies. John preferred paraffin-impregnated cardboard cartons with a dead air space between the carton and the hive.