IDT Energy Savings

IDT Energy invites you to watch this informative video comparing the energy efficiency of a variety of lightbulbs.

Nest Smart Thermostat

IDT Energy has been recommending programmable thermostats to consumers as a great, easy way to save on home heating and cooling. Now thermostats are also cool.

Tony Fadell, the designer of the iPod, has gotten into the green technologies marketplace and he has decided that something as simple, and as important as a programmable thermostat can also have an exciting, unique design.  Not only is the thermostat, dubbed Nest “something that draws attention,” as Fadell put it, but its smart too.

Nest is capable of learning the family’s habits, senses when no one is home, and atomically adjusts itself accordingly. Built in Wi-Fi also connect Nest to a home network, through which it can be controlled, including from an iPhone or Android smartphone.

Take saving energy to the latest coolest level with IDT Energy.

What is a cool roof? It’s a roof which can make your entire house more energy efficient by reflecting back the heat of the sun rather than absorbing the heat and transferring it into your home. As a result your roof stays cooler and you need less energy from your air conditioning system to keep cool.

Consider installing a cool roof and:

•    Reduce air pollution and smog in your city. Using less electricity creates less of a burden on power plants.
•    Preserve your roof so it lasts longer.
•    Save money on your electricity bill.
•    Minimize the effects of “heat islands” in suburbs, towns and cities.

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, with lots of energy saving devices, meaning that they save humans energy. But in order to save you energy the appliances take the energy from the environment.

IDT Energy presents some ways to reduce to a minimum the amount of energy needed to run your kitchen:

1. Fill your dishwasher to capacity before running. Research has shown that a dishwasher used this way can save 37% of the water needed if the dishes were washed by hand. So you can use the dishwasher guilt-free.
2. There is a way to wash dishes using even less water than the dishwasher; fill one sink with soapy water and the adjacent sink with rinse water, and do not let the water run out of the faucet. Then you will use a whopping 50% of the water used by the dishwasher.
3. Use your microwave to defrost or warm up small amounts of food instead of the stove. This can save up to 50% of the energy that the stove would use. The microwave also heats up the kitchen less, a plus in the summer.
4. Close the fridge door right away. Decide what you want from the fridge before you open the door, take it out, and close the door. Test the tightness of the door by closing it on a one dollar bill. If the dollar pulls out easily, then the door is probably not tight enough, and cold air may be leaking out. Get it checked.
5. Old refrigerators are big energy wasters. Consider replacing your old fridge with a new energy efficient model. Look for the Energy Star.

Watch this informative and clear video for some simple ideas on what you can do now to begin saving energy at home and at the office.

Saving energy is a hot topic today, and while many people are aware of the importance, they find it hard or inconvenient to really take the time to change their energy-using habits. Many energy companies, such as IDT Energy, would be glad to help you reduce energy use and costs in your home.

One great way to minimize energy use in your home is to just make sure that everyone is aware of the issue. There are many simple things that you and your children can do to save energy and lower your electric bill at the same time.

loseyourexcuse.gov is a great website that helps you do just that. Their site lists 10 easy, simple rules that you can print out and tape on the fridge. You can also just discuss the ‘energy action plan‘ with the members of your household one night at dinner.

The list includes simple reminders like:

“1. Turn off the lights,

2. Use energy saving light bulbs,

3. Shut off computers, and

4. Use “smart” power strips.”

IDT Energy believes that saving energy can become a family project which teaches appreciation of our precious natural resources, educates about where our energy comes from, and gets the family united to achieve a worthwhile goal.

So where to begin? Begin with a plan.

1.    Turn off lights when not in use.
2.    Use the new energy saving light bulbs called CFLs.
3.    Turn off computers.
4.    Use power strips to make turning off lots of equipment easy.
5.    Shut off entertainment systems and other devices when not in use.
6.    Whenever possible use natural light, heating and cooling.
7.    Unplug the phone’s battery charger when not in use.
8.    Try to purchase Energy Star appliances whenever possible.
9.    Understand digital programmable thermostats and use them.
10.    Think about home improvements which will help make your home more energy efficient, like insulation, calking, roof repair and more; and then go do them.

IDT Energy suggests that you  get a check list to hang on your refrigerator as a reminder to you and your family to always try to save energy.

Certainly, every little bit counts when you’re trying to save money.  One easy way to cut corners is to take a look at your energy bill and to try to make some changes. Whether you use IDT Energy or another provider, there is always a way to reduce your bill a bit more and to cut down on your energy costs.

Take lighting for instance.  A typical household dedicates 11% of its energy budget to lighting.  You can reduce these costs by 50-75% with a few key adjustments.

Here are a few ways to make your indoor lighting choices more cost effective:

1. Use fluorescent lamps rather than incandescent bulbs.  They last 6-12 times longer and they are of high quality.
2. Buy ENERGY STAR products whenever you can.  You’ll save as much as $30 in electricity costs over the lifetime of each and every bulb.
3. Install dimmers and timers that help you to save on electric costs by turning lights off when they aren’t in use.  Simmers allow you to lower your light levels, thus saving money.
4. If you plan to remodel, look for recessed downlights, called “cans” that are rated for contact with insulation. They are IC rated.
5. Make sure your home optimizes for natural light. Purchase light curtains, paint rooms with light hues and keep blinds open to let in natural light.

On October 22 1879 Thomas Alva Edison had his first successful test of his invention that literally changed the world and the way we live in it, that is of course the electric light bulb. The basic design of the incandescent light bulb has changed little in all this time but today, with our increased awareness of the importance of saving energy, especially electricity, there is a concerted effort to change from the general use of incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs.

The technology for a long lasting and energy efficient fluorescent light bulb was developed by Philips in 1991 when it created a fluorescent light bulb which burned for 60,000 hours using magnetic induction.

IDT Energy suggests to consumers that they consider making the switch to CFLs in their homes and workplaces. There are several good reasons to do this:

• CFLs can last up to ten times longer
• CFLs use only a quarter of the energy
• CFLs produce about 90% less heat than incandescents while at the same time producing more light per watt.

Hot water is a must-have, especially during the winter season. Everyone dreads the moment that they run out of hot water for the shower and even just for doing the dishes. Here are some great tips for conserving hot water in your home:

• Take quick showers instead of hot baths, and turn the water off when it is not in use (for example, while applying shampoo).
• Install low-flow shower and faucet heads throughout your home, and attach aerators as well.
• Use cold water for most household cleaning, like mopping the floor.
• Only run full loads in the dishwasher.

There are many other things you can do around the house to conserve hot water and energy, and by doing so, you can lower your energy bill significantly. You may want to contact your electric company like IDT Energy, as they can give your personalized advice, and may even offer a home visit.