The fact that you don't own your apartment doesn't mean there's nothing much you can do to save energy. On the contrary, there are many simple steps you can take to realize savings that will add up quickly.

In the winter

• Remember that the temperature at which you set the thermostat will affect your energy savings.
• Thermostats should be set no higher than 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and evening when people are home.
• During each 24-hour period, you will save about 3 percent on your heating bill for every degree that you lower the thermostat setting. For example, if you normally keep your thermostat set at 75 degrees all the time, and you lower it to 72 degrees, you will save about 9 percent on your heating bill. In other words, you will save about 9 cents for every dollar you spend on heating costs.
• For the 8-hour period at night when you're sleeping, you will save an extra 1 percent on your heating bill for every degree that you set back the thermostat. For example, if you lower your thermostat from 72 to 65 degrees at night, you will save another 7 cents for every heating dollar you spend.
• You may want to lower the thermostat setting below 72 degrees at night or during the day when people are not home. Some people turn their thermostats down to 60 or 55 degrees at night.
• If you feel there is a problem with the furnace and you can't stay warm, do not use the stove for additional heat-it is dangerous. Contact the building manager; there may be a problem with the furnace or boiler.
• Do not open your windows if it gets too hot in your apartment. This wastes energy and money. When you open a window, you lose heat you already paid for. Plus, the furnace will pump out even more heat until the window is closed or the thermostat is turned down.
• If you have a furnace in your apartment, turn down the thermostat when it gets too warm.
• If your building is heated with a central boiler, you could close the radiator valves in the rooms that are too warm. You could also notify the building manager that your apartment is too warm. The manager may be able to adjust the boiler controls to lower your apartment temperature.
• People generate heat. If you have a group of people in your apartment, let the heat they give off help keep your apartment warm. Turn down your thermostat and save some money. Turn the thermostat back up when they leave.
• On sunny days, take advantage of the free heat. Open blinds, shades, and curtains, especially if your windows face south, to help keep your apartment warm. Then simply turn down the thermostat or close the radiator valves to keep from getting too hot. At night, close the blinds, shades, and curtains to help keep heat in your apartment rather than allowing it to escape through the window.

In the summer

• During the day, to keep heat out of your apartment, keep window shades or blinds down and closed. It's even helpful to keep the windows themselves closed to keep hot air from blowing into your apartment.
• In the evening and early morning, open windows to allow cooler air in.

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