IDT Energy Brings Clarity to Electric Usage

There is no difference in the amount of energy a 240 volt appliance uses compared to the amount of electricity a 120 volt appliance uses. The reason this is true and you do not pay more to run a 240volt device than a 120volt device is because the electric company only charges for watt-hours and not voltage. Watt-hours are calculated with the formula “volts X amps = watts.” The higher the volts, the lower the amps. Twice and many volts require half as many amps, thus keeping the wattage usage the same.

One last myth to debunk is the notion that some people have that some electrical wiring problem can cause “leaking” of the electricity out of the wires, thus “wasting” the electricity, kind of like a leaky pipe will waste water if water leaks out and is not used. This is also not true, and it is very easy to check. Just unplug everything in your house. Be sure to also unplug appliances which, even though they are not in use still use electricity in stand-by mode, such as microwaves, stereo systems, TVs and lots more. When you are sure everything is unplugged go look at your meter. It won’t be turning around, indicating that you are really not using any electricity, and there are no “leaks.”

Electric Myths Debunked by IDT Energy

For many people the electricity we live and work with constantly is a mystery, and we are constantly hearing what to do and what not to do to stay save and to save money. Here are a few questions which you may have had concerning electricity and its usage.

Are you the kind of person that always turns off lights when not needed? Has anyone ever suggested that it is better to leave on a light than to turn it on, as the power “surges” when you turn on the light? This is absolutely false and you should know that it is always more efficient to turn off a light, even if you are planning on turning it on again soon. This same fact applies to all other devices and consumer electronics, including computers. Most devices don’t have a surge, and even if they do, the amount of electricity from that surge is so small that it is completely insignificant.

How about keeping an air conditioner on all day to keep your house cool, rather than letting the house warm up when you are not there and cooling it down when you arrive? It is certainly better to turn of the ac when not at home, and even cooling down a hot house uses less electricity than keeping the ac on all day. But even better yet would be to install a programmable thermostat which will turn off the ac when you are not there and turn it on again when you are due to return home. A great way to stay comfortable and save money, too.

Groundhog Says More Winter on the Way

Word is out that Punxsutawney Phil, the famed groundhog who predicts the weather when he either sees or does not see his shadow on February 2nd of each year has seen his shadow this year, foretelling six more weeks of winter for the eastern United States.

This means that in New York, where IDT Energy supplies electricity and natural gas to customers throughout the area, people can be expected to continue to use large amounts of electricity to heat their homes for at least six more weeks. This is a great time to examine your home for any obvious places where cold air is getting in and warm air is leaking out, and weatherizing those spots with weather stripping. Take special care to check around doors, window frames, attics and basements.

How accurate are Phil’s predictions? Well, according to carefully kept chronicles, Phil has seen his shadow 99 out of 114 observations, predicting six more weeks of winter weather. When we compare this with the actual weather according to the Stormfax Almanac, Phil is correct only 39% of the time. But considering that predicting the weather six weeks in advance is hard even for the most “weathered” of weathermen, maybe Phil aint doin’ too bad.

Dont wait six more weeks. IDT Energy urges you to insulate your home today and start saving on your energy bill.

Thermostat Use Tips

When you’re ready to save money with a programmable thermostat, there are some important tips that you should know. IDT Energy wants to make sure that you are saving as much as you can, and these tips should help with that goal.

First, take a look at the various programmable thermostats before you make your decision. There are a number of types of programmable thermostats so make sure to take a look at the various choices and get ot know more about energy saving features.

Your programmable thermostat will work better if installed properly. Make sure to have a certified HVAC contractor install it for you so that it will work properly and safely. Make sure to read how to properly set the thermostat to achieve the most savings.