Winter in Ohio brings snow, cold weather and high utility bills.

“It is not uncommon for gas bills to triple during the winter months,” said Steve Jablonski, spokesman for Columbia Gas of Ohio.

The average amount spent on gas during the months of February, March and April for Columbia Gas customers is $150 each month. Average consumption is 15,000 cubic feet of gas per month during the winter. The months of August, September and October deliver average gas bills of $28 per month, with average consumption at 3,000 cubic feet of gas per month.

Higher bills during the winter months are credited to cold weather making furnaces run more and the rise of gas prices in the winter.

Jablonski suggests homeowners and renters have their heating equipment inspected and serviced every year and furnace filters changed every month in the winter.

Buckeye Real Estate offers free filters to their renters year-round.

“All they have to do is bring in their old filter and we’ll give them a new one,” said Julie Hutchison, leasing manager for Buckeye Real Estate.

Jablonski suggests installing a programmable thermostat or turning down the thermostat setting during the day when no one is home and at night when people are sleeping.

Homeowners should check around doors and windows to make sure there is enough weather stripping and insulation to stop the cold outside air from entering the house or apartment. Home weatherization kits can be purchased at hardware or home improvement stores for around $10.

Leona Gleason, office manager for G.A.S. Properties, said if renters need weather stripping replaced they should call the rental office and maintenance will make the repairs. As a less expensive remedy for drafty windows, Gleason suggests placing a rolled-up towel on the window ledge as a buffer from the cold air.

Jablonski, Hutchison and Gleason all recommended setting the thermostat around 68-70 degrees.

“Adjust the temperature down to a comfortable level and dress accordingly, don’t crank up the heat and run around in shorts and a T-shirt,” Jablonski said.

Buckeye gives tips on winterizing apartments in a monthly newsletter sent to tenants. G.A.S. sent holiday letters to its tenants before the winter break with suggestions on preparing their rental units for winter weather.

Both rental companies have a few properties where utilities are included in the monthly rent. Buckeye advises tenants occupying those units to call the gas company for the previous year’s budget so renters know approximately how much their heating costs will be for the winter.

If there is a sunny side of the house or apartment, Jablonski suggested opening the curtains or blinds while the sun is shining on that side and closing them when the sun goes down. This creates solar heating and can reduce the need for higher thermostat settings.

Some electrical outlets that are along outside walls can create drafts. Foam backing can be bought to seal the outlet cover from unwanted air.