IDT Energy Savings

Everyone, everywhere needs to do their bit for energy conservation.  And, by following some simple rules, this can be very easy to implement.  With whatever energy service provider you are using – IDT Energy, or any of the other big ones – conserving energy saves big bucks on bills. Now that we are well into the winter months, it is a good idea to really start making some changes.

First, get your home and office a programmable thermostat that can significantly reduce heating costs – in some cases up to 10 percent.  When in the premises, it should be set at 20 C, but when sleeping our out of the house, this can be reduced to 18 C.

A seemingly obvious piece of advice (but one that is all-too-often missed) is to ensure your property is well insulated and protected against drafts.  One easy way of doing this is to put in weatherstrip around doors, attic openings and air conditioning units.  This can lead to a saving on around 30 percent of heating costs.  As well, if the filter in the furnace is replaced every month and serviced professionally annually to ensure maximum running capacity, substantial energy savings will be made.

To save money on energy, if you use it during off-peak (i.e. cheaper) hours you could save money. If you are wondering how to do that without it impacting your life, think about the different times you can run your washer, dryer and dishwasher (it makes no difference to you if it’s on in the middle of the night, except for the financial savings you will enjoy).

In the heat of the summer, it’s hard to believe the weather is ever going to cool down. But, indeed, it will, and it will be time to start to budget for those colder months. There are many ways to save costs on the fall energy bills, whether you use IDT Energy or another energy supplier. Here are some tips that should help you to think about those colder months.

1. Set your thermostat at 68 degrees or lower when you are home, and put it even lower when you’re out or in bed.  Believe it or not, for every degree that you lower your thermostat, you’ll be saving 2% off of your heating bill.
2. Weatherize your home before the cold weather hits. Caulk and weather-strip all the doors and windows. Make sure your windows have locks on them as well, to make them tighter and more draft resistant.
3. Insulate your attic, or increase the insulation you already have.  Do this for the basement and outside walls as well.

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.

Many people are aware of the fact that they can save money by cutting back on energy use. The problem usually is that they are not aware of how. The internet is a great source of knowledge, and information and tips can easily be found using Google or another search engine. For personalized advice, you may want to contact your electric company, like IDT Energy.

Once you’ve learned about the various ways to conserve energy in your house, have a family meeting and explain the proper use of appliances to your children. Make sure they understand why they should make an effort- give them real examples of costs, and show them how simple it is to be a little more responsible. Once everyone understands, you will surely see a change in the monthly bill!

Even while doing your laundry, you can learn key ways to save on your energy use.  Believe it or not, 85-90% of the energy that you use while washing the clothes is for heating the water.  If you do cold water washes and rinses, however, you’ll save a tremendous amount of this electricity. Whether you’re using IDT Energy or another energy supplier, you’ll have real savings with these tips.

Use your washing machine after 8pm, when the electricity demand is lower and make sure to only use the water level that you really need for the load you are doing.  Only do the laundry when you have a full load and consider purchasing a smaller machine if you usually find that your laundry loads don’t fill the machine completely.

If you’re in the market for a new machine, look for one that is ENERGY STAR qualified, as it can reduce water use by almost 45% and energy use by about 65%.