To keep your winter utility bills from spiking, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. offers these thermostat suggestions:
Turn the thermostat down when the family is out of the house. It takes less energy to warn a cool home in the evening than to maintain warmth all day long.
Thermostat are like lighy switches, not gas pedals. Setting the dial to 90 degrees won't heat your home faster, but it will waste energy if your forget and leave the thermostat on the high setting.
Set your thermostat at 68 degrees when your family is home during the day, but lower it at night.
Use a programmable thermostat to automatically lower or raise the temperature, depending on your family's schedule. (Record Searclight, 1/1/05)
