For Parents
Q: How can my son or daughter save money on the winter heating bill?
A: Here are some suggestions for saving some money on winter heating bills:
- Turn down the thermostat. For every 1° F your son or daughter sets the thermostat back, s/he can save 1-3% on your annual heating costs. A change from 72 ° F to 68° F could save up to 12%!! Wear several layers of clothing to keep warm.
- Turn down the thermostat every time s/he leaves the house for two or more hours AND at night—it takes less energy to warm up a cool house than it does to maintain a warm temperature all day and night.
- Install a programmable thermostat to turn the heat up and down at pre-set times.
- Take advantage of the sun—open curtains during the day to capture warmth and close them at night to prevent heat loss through windows.
- If s/he uses a space heater for extra warmth, be sure to keep it AT LEAST three feet from other objects.
Just remember to keep the thermostat set to a temperature no lower than 55° F. Do not turn off the heat when away on break to save money! Keep the apartment heated ALL WINTER LONG so that pipes will not freeze—even while NOBODY is living in the house. Frozen pipes cause extensive and expensive damage to a home’s plumbing and heating systems. If your son or daughter turns off the heat over winter or spring break, s/he could be responsible for these repairs!