IDT Energy Savings

We are all trying to save money by saving electricity. This clever device will tell you the efficiency level of the appliance which you plug into it. The Kill A Watt displays in its large LCD screen the consumption, in kilowatt-hour, of the electricity that the appliance is using. By calculating this information for you in the same way that the utility company does, it is easy to see exactly how much it costs to run that appliance.

The tool can also monitor voltage and line frequency, and it can also test if an outlet is in working order. This useful device can help you decide if its time for a new, energy efficient refrigerator, or if the old one is still cost effective.

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.

ESCOs Help Consumers Save

ESCO stands for “Energy Service Company.” When the power supply utility companies in New York were deregulated, ESCOs, including IDT Energy, came into being. Competition was introduced into an area which was essentially populated with monopolies which had government protection as well as regulation.

With deregulation came the competition which allowed prices, and services to bring in customers, hopefully encouraging the quality of services provided as well as helping to keep costs competitive.

Under this system energy service is divided into two parts, the supply of energy and its delivery. IDT Energy offers a “Switch and Save” program which allows consumers to choose IDT Energy as their supplier, while their local utility, such as Con Edison, remains in charge of power delivery.

Consumers are not compelled to switch to an ESCO, but in many cases, as when switching to IDT Energy, it is possible to save money on the monthly bill for electricity and natural gas.

IDT Energy believes that it is possible for families to enjoy substantial savings on their
energy bill by incorporating just a few simple ideas into their household energy use.

Take a look at this video to learn about some of these easy to implement energy
saving ideas from IDT Energy.

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.

If anybody tells you that using a dishwasher wastes water and energy, you can assure them that, depending on how you use your dishwasher that is simply not true. There are several things that you actually save by using the dishwasher rather than washing your dishes by hand.

Water

Are you surprised? Don’t be. If you only use your dishwasher when it is completely loaded up, the amount of water used will actually be less than if you washed each of those dishes by hand. One researcher found that the difference comes to 37% less water.

Time

For many people, time is money. Certainly in today’s world of two parents away from home all day at work, the time spendt washing dishes by hand could better be used enjoying the company of family and friends, plus numerous other chores which must be done.  As a time-saving device, the dishwasher rocks.

Electricity

Yes, a dishwasher does use more electricity than washing by hand, but as appliances become more efficient, you might be surprised at how little electricity the dishwasher really needs. After all, most of the electricity, about 80% used by the dishwasher is for heating the water. Whether you hand wash or machine wash, hot water still needs to be made. Also be sure to look for the Energy Star label to ensure you are purchasing the most energy efficient appliance around.

IDT Energy urges consumers to carefully pick appliances best suited to their family’s needs and lifestyles, and be energy smart.

Have you ever thought about how important electricity is in the world we live? In today’s world we almost take electricity for granted, but if you try and imagine what the world would be like without electricity, you would be startled to know that life as we know it today would be virtually impossible. Another astounding fact is that it has not even been 150 years since Thomas Edison created the first practical electric light bulb in 1879.

IDT Energy is one place where New Yorkers go to get their electricity, helping to power today’s lifestyles.

Understanding your energy usage, and particularly that of your electrical appliances is essential to properly manage your budget and home expenses, and it is also essential in order to become part of the international efforts in looking after our world.

When an appliance is labeled “X watts” this meant that this is the maximum measure of electricity the appliance uses. While some appliances will indeed use this volume of electricity constantly and consistently, refrigerators, for example, only use the maximum energy consumption when the compressor is running. When the fridge is quiet after having reached its goal temperature, it will simply maintain that temperature and it will then be using far less electricity.

IDT Energy, the New York ESCO, is not merely a supplier of energy, but it is concerned with the environment and your pocket. Therefore, IDT focuses on green energy and on consumer education.

Knowing where all the hot water you use goes is a great first step in starting a savings plan help to get your energy bill under control. IDT Energy suggests that you examine a few of your
simple every day activities which may be using a lot more water than you realize.

Here is a sample of the typical quantities of water used in daily routine activities:

•    Laundry-                       32 Gallons per load of laundry

•    Shower-                          20 Gallons per shower

•    Bath-                                20 Gallons per bath

•    Dishes-                            12 Gallons or water are used per load in an automatic dishwasher

•    Food preparation-     This can typically use about 5 gallons of water

•    Dishes by Hand-          4 Gallons of water are used to wash a sink full of dishes.