State facilities turn thermostats down to lower heating costs

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - With natural gas costs lingering at record levels, state facilities will turn down the temperature this winter to save money, officials said.

About 2,000 facilities including office buildings, warehouses and garages will lower daytime temperatures from the 70- to 72-degree range down to 68 degrees. When facilities are closed to the public or employees aren't working routine schedules, thermostats will be turned down to 55 degrees.

Military barracks and prisons will keep the temperature at a constant 68 degrees.

The changes, which will run through April 15, 2007, will save the state an estimated $4.1 million, the governor's office announced recently.

"We're using a commonsense tactic that households all over the state use to lower their energy bills: turning down the thermostats," Gov. Rod Blagojevich said in a statement. "Experts predict that natural gas prices will be high this winter and consumers, businesses and government can make adjustments now to help keep energy costs within budget."

In the summer, thermostats will inch back up from 72 degrees to between 74 and 78 degrees during peak hours and up to 80 degrees during off-peak times.

The changes will not affect health care facilities or homeless shelters.