Tips of the Month

Turn Down Your Thermostat

You can save money and help the planet by turning down your thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter.

If you have a furnace, when you are sleeping or not at home, you can turn the thermostat down an extra five to eight degrees. A programmable or smart thermostat (that you can control with your smartphone) can help you put your thermostat on autopilot so you don't need to remember to turn it down and back up.

If you have a heat pump system, leave your system set at one temperature. If you lower and raise the temperature, your system will use its auxiliary heat, which takes a lot of energy and will raise your energy bill.

Setting a lower temperature can lower your energy bills by 10%, which can really add up.

From the City's Committee for a Better Environment

February and Chocolate

While February may bring gifts from an admirer, the chocolate candy you may receive is unfortunately toxic to your pet (both cats and dogs). Chocolate (milk, white, dark, semi-sweet, or baker’s) contains both caffeine and theobromine which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, seizures and/or death to your pet if ingested. The fat content in chocolate can also lead to pancreatitis, which can also be life-threatening. If your pet has eaten chocolate, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Pet Poison Control at 888-426-4435 immediately for assistance.

From the City's Animal Welfare Committee