tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-342752002024-02-28T13:47:26.349-05:00IDT Energy - Energy SupplierIDT Energy is a leading Energy Service Company (ESCO) in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Illinois. We help customers understand their power to choose energy and renewable energy suppliers. Our services include electric, green electric and natural gas power.IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-79137231382246317312015-09-02T16:45:00.001-04:002015-09-02T16:45:26.418-04:00Save Money on Heating Water<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">How
to Save Money on Heating Water</span></span></b><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Did you
know that after heating and cooling, water heating is the second largest cost
on the average family’s utility bill, accounting for around 12 percent?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One way to
reduce costs is to run out and buy the most energy-efficient water heater on
the market. Government regulations require manufacturers to affix labels
showing operating costs and power consumption. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">For most people, however,
that’s not practical. The reality is that people buy water heaters only when
absolutely necessary and most of these buying decisions are based almost
exclusively on price.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Short of
shelling out big bucks for a top-of-the-line water heater, there are things you
can do now to reduce your energy bills, whether you heat water with electricity
or gas. Most of them are common sense measures, but worth considering.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Lower
the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees or less</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – a 10 degree (F)
reduction in water heater setting can cut 3% - 5% from your bill.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Take
short showers instead of baths </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">– it takes a lot of water to fill a bathtub,
especially jetted soaking tubs and huge claw-foot tubs.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Insulate
you water heater</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – an insulating blanket helps retain heat, thereby reducing energy
consumption. Blankets are made for both gas and electric heaters of various
sizes. Be sure to check the “R” rating for maximum benefit.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Laundry
</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">– Follow laundering instructions on clothing. Set your washer to use cold water
on rinse cycles. Also, many of the newer high-efficiency detergents do a great
job with cold water.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Washing
dishes</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – Using a dishwasher consumes less water than washing dishes by hand,
especially when you leave the faucet running, and a variety of cycles can save
hot water, too. Make sure the dishwasher is full before running it.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Low-flow
fixtures</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> – Installing low-flow faucets and showerheads is an obvious and
relatively inexpensive way of saving hot water and water in general. Low-flow
fixtures can cut water consumption in half and most people don’t notice the
reduction because of a more forceful flow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Check the U.S. Department of
Energy’s website, </span><a href="http://www.energy.gov/"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">www.energy.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, for
additional money and power-saving tips.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-51011098660678900052015-08-20T14:49:00.000-04:002015-08-20T14:50:36.311-04:00The Benefits of Energy Deregulation<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-autospace: none;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 22.0pt;">The Benefits of Energy Deregulation</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">As regulators and electricity suppliers continue to
sort out the nuances of deregulation, market forces and climate change combine
to make one thing abundantly clear: The idea of a “normal” calendar season is
no longer operative. Summer heat waves are longer and more frequent than ever
and the last two winters were brutally cold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, with summer cooling bills upon us and jitters
over what next winter's heating bills might look like, this seems to be a good
time to consider the benefits of energy choice and compare traditional
utilities with competitive energy suppliers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although the infamous polar vortex of 2014 and its
high energy costs did not make a repeat appearance last winter, there's no way
of knowing what the coming winter will bring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Before the introduction of energy choice programs,
customers had to buy energy from their local utility. The utility set the
prices that customers were required to pay. In recent years, however, a number
of states have introduced competition for energy supply. In these states,
utilities no longer have a monopoly on both energy generation and distribution.
Customers in these states may choose to buy from any number of licensed retail
energy providers (REPs) or their local utility company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Just because the energy industry has been
“deregulated” does not mean that REPs are “unregulated.” REPs and utility
companies are similar in many respects. Both are licensed and regulated by
state public utility commissions for service and their relationship with consumers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, what's the difference between energy supplied by
the utility versus a REP? Unlike utility companies, REPs specialize in
procuring energy. REPs rely upon the utilities to deliver that energy. They do
not maintain the system of meters, poles, pipes and wires required to deliver
it. Customers who choose REPs still have their meters read by their utility,
and in most states, receive their bills from their utility. Most important,
REPs are not bound by the take-it-or-leave-it rate structure that utilities
offer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The power of choice has enabled REPs to compete for
business by offering flexible options that the utilities never could — such as
rebate programs, rewards and longer-termed “fixed” or “locked-rate” price
programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So why did many REPs' prices rise so dramatically in
2014 compared with utilities' prices? The culprit was an unprecedented and
unforeseen confluence of weather and market events that caused wholesale energy
prices to skyrocket. Unfortunately, faced with those immediate costs, many REPs
had no choice but to pass along those sudden price increases without delay. By
contrast, sudden cost increases are not readily apparent in utility companies'
rate calculations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thankfully, many REPs realized quickly that customers
could not bear this burden and voluntarily absorbed as much of the cost
increases as they could, issuing millions of dollars in good-will rebates to
customers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The path to improvement is not always smooth, and the
polar vortex provided a particularly bumpy ride for the retail energy industry.
But with the lessons learned and development of smarter and better controls,
residential and business energy customers are certain to benefit in the long
run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;">Michael Stein is CEO of IDT Energy.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p>Link to Article: </o:p></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://triblive.com/opinion/featuredcommentary/8929875-74/energy-reps-utility#axzz3jMYqCAbw">TribLive</a></span></i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-3381300247581042112015-05-08T16:10:00.001-04:002015-05-08T16:13:52.969-04:00Cutting Costs & Staying Cool!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7ZfVDifVyEd6RvXZqTmu9JMMxcxM5LSD2NyKrumi2JkEpUJlflcqTfQ40QA_9GsBPwuOL_xyFBuzmj8j2DTl8hFD5KnqHRHiFFCJupFIxFXOU3WCDT4FaxMD0LTAqO5QEqlK0w/s1600/brainbulb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7ZfVDifVyEd6RvXZqTmu9JMMxcxM5LSD2NyKrumi2JkEpUJlflcqTfQ40QA_9GsBPwuOL_xyFBuzmj8j2DTl8hFD5KnqHRHiFFCJupFIxFXOU3WCDT4FaxMD0LTAqO5QEqlK0w/s320/brainbulb.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;"> IDT Energy Offers Simple Tips for Cutting</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: black;">Summertime Energy Bills and Staying Cool</span></b></div>
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Nothing beats the first few pleasant days of spring. The migrating birds and their songs are back, trees burst forth with fresh, new leaves and it’s finally possible to sleep comfortably with the windows open. Best of all, that energy-gobbling furnace has been shut off for the season.<br />
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But wait! Can summer’s heat and humidity be far behind?<br />
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Of course not! And that’s why IDT Energy offers the following tips for saving energy and money during the summer. None of this is rocket science, but seemingly small savings can really add up.<br />
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First on the list is air-conditioning. Early spring is the best time to get to know a qualified heating, ventilation and air-conditioning technician (HVAC). This is the time of year when it’s easy to schedule a system check-up. An experienced technician can check your system for refrigerant leaks and diagnose potential problems before they occur. Once the cooling season begins, HVAC people are swamped with repair calls. Don’t suffer through extreme heat and humidity waiting for an appointment. There’s one more important thing you can check on your own before calling a technician: make sure your filters are clean and that registers aren’t blocked by carpets, furniture or drapes.<br />
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An obvious way to save on cooling is to turn the thermostat up to about 78 degrees during the hours when you’re home and adjust it to 85 when you’re away. However, it’s not a good idea to turn the system off when you’re absent. Remember that every item in your home – furniture, carpeting, draperies, etc. -- absorbs heat. That means when you return to a hot house you need to cool the air along with the contents of the dwelling, which can take a long time.<br />
<br />
On that note, a programmable thermostat is a sound investment year round. It takes just a few minutes to set up and it can eliminate the need to remember to adjust your thermostat several times a day.<br />
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Have you been meaning to replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents or LED’s? This is a great time to do it because the majority of energy consumed by incandescent bulbs generates heat, while just a small fraction actually produces light. LED bulb prices have come down a bit, but they are still much more expensive than incandescent bulbs. Before rejecting them because of initial cost, be sure to read the fine print – LED’s consume a tiny fraction of the power sucked-up by conventional bulbs and they will last for a very long time.<br />
<br />
If you can’t stand the heat, either get out of the kitchen – or change the way you cook in the summer! Remember that microwave ovens use about two-thirds less energy than conventional stoves and ovens. A task as simple as boiling water for tea or coffee can be accomplished more quickly and cheaply by using the microwave. Finally, fire up the grill more often. Fish, meats and vegetables seem to taste better and are more fun to cook outside on a charcoal or gas grill.<br />
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We will offer additional energy and money-saving tips in coming months, but if you have a great tip to share with us and our readers, please send it to: <a href="mailto:EnergySavingTips@idtenergy.com">EnergySavingTips@idtenergy.com</a><br />
<b><br /></b><b>The best suggestions we get will appear in a future post. If we use your suggestion, we’ll send you a $5 gift card from The Home Depot.</b><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-14073406184526863822015-04-22T13:41:00.000-04:002015-04-22T15:09:23.984-04:00Happy Earth Day!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIkpwuepUK58vxvcJ0cnSeqKhW9ybKWW7VV2_ELXilhl7fk73Fx45fi56PzBK9_TosJn7cWKtt7rBdOSZscY9ARVREuHl2O00IAFE0eygVgGUWehYBhiYDC-5HULrmNp63qkbAg/s1600/earthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIkpwuepUK58vxvcJ0cnSeqKhW9ybKWW7VV2_ELXilhl7fk73Fx45fi56PzBK9_TosJn7cWKtt7rBdOSZscY9ARVREuHl2O00IAFE0eygVgGUWehYBhiYDC-5HULrmNp63qkbAg/s1600/earthday.jpg" height="320" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317051653523/">Via</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">April 22 is a day on our calendar that has been set to raise awareness about the health and well-being of our Mother Nature and the efforts to protect it. Today, millions of people all over the world are leading and participating in Earth Day events to commemorate what is considered to be the birth of the modern environmental movement. We are pleased to offer a choice of green electricity supply as an option that is</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">100% matched with renewable energy certificates and renewable energy attributes, generated from sources like running water, wind, solar and biomass. By enrolling in an electricity plan like this, you can do a small part in reducing the carbon foot print. Plus, renewable electricity is purchased from domestic resources here in the United States. For more information or to enroll your electricity meter, please visit </span><a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/green-energy" style="color: purple; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 10.5pt;">www.idtenergy.com/green-energy</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: small;">For more fun Earth Day images and activities, check out <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/idtenergy/">IDT Energy's Pinterest!</a></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-40194157273981491142015-04-13T11:27:00.000-04:002015-04-13T11:39:37.962-04:00ComEd's Electric Supply Rate Increases - Lock in IDT Energy's lower rate!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5zQm1eg8UuouTuzC2kk8W_mH1Lv8jg7GnAKN6bUf_rh-0MUN1lN0mf_PXaTqQiIuNKZzQq5b_X7UpnQxdkCUXDlkiVhaY2fhcvnvZPCNVhPot2tNq9gz5U0iUAJQgwSOOwJDrQ/s1600/Rising_Prices_000019541083XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin5zQm1eg8UuouTuzC2kk8W_mH1Lv8jg7GnAKN6bUf_rh-0MUN1lN0mf_PXaTqQiIuNKZzQq5b_X7UpnQxdkCUXDlkiVhaY2fhcvnvZPCNVhPot2tNq9gz5U0iUAJQgwSOOwJDrQ/s1600/Rising_Prices_000019541083XSmall.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317051527755/">Via</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ComEd costumers in Illinois, April is here
and ComEd's electric supply rate has increased to $.0872/kWh. IDT Energy offers a SmartBudget plan,
with a rate of only $.0699/kWh. <a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/facebook">L</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/facebook">ock in this rate</a> for the next 12 months and to avoid fluctuating electricity prices. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IDT Energy’s SmartBudget plan is unique from other energy supplier's fixed rate plans because there are no termination fees! </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34275200" style="mso-comment-date: 20150413T1001; mso-comment-reference: SS_3;">Your electric supply rate will
stay the same for 12 months</a></span><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">with NO termination fees, ZERO surprises, rate
spikes, or hidden fees/deposits.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 12pt;">Plus as an IDT Energy customer you can <a href="http://www.idtenergyrewards.com/">register to earn rewards</a> like gift cards, electronics and so much more. Take advantage of our <a href="http://www.idtenergyhomeservices.com/">Home Services</a> and </span><span style="line-height: 16px;">receive</span><span style="line-height: 12pt;"> discounts on home warranties, home security and electronics protection.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://idtenergy.com/facebook">Enroll today with IDT Energy</a>!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-10043426860619138042015-02-23T03:09:00.000-05:002015-02-23T03:09:00.618-05:00NY Prize Awards Development of Community Microgrids<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJU_WtgnqZTIDnG76OdTPbjzAEXg-R87NKzp9JEYUMMqioU2bqnLuoRH4t9Z1jjamB6Z8KU_icx2dgCBVOgX03JnExVYxfPv92W8R7k3rfj9oyqgeb95u7PesF0t86ZXo8lXL/s1600/419px-Andrew_Cuomo_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJU_WtgnqZTIDnG76OdTPbjzAEXg-R87NKzp9JEYUMMqioU2bqnLuoRH4t9Z1jjamB6Z8KU_icx2dgCBVOgX03JnExVYxfPv92W8R7k3rfj9oyqgeb95u7PesF0t86ZXo8lXL/s1600/419px-Andrew_Cuomo_2014.jpg" height="200" width="174" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Governor Andrew Cuomo, May 26, 2014. Credit: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrew_Cuomo_2014.jpg" target="_blank">Diana Robinson</a></td></tr>
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Ever since Hurricane Sandy wreaked its deadly wrath on the Northeast, and especially in New York, state officials have shown a heightened interest in the idea of community microgrids. New York State recently announced a program, known as the <a href="http://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-ny-prize-resiliency-competition-launch-fall" target="_blank">NY Prize,</a> to award community microgrids $40 million for developing plans that will reduce energy costs, improve the reliability of electric power, heighten consumer choice and increase energy efficiency.<br />
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Several other states have already begun to give a leg up to the infant microgrid industry, including California, Connecticut and New Jersey. In New York the emphasis is on complex, community microgrids.<br />
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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo first announced the intention to create NY Prize a year ago, in January 2014. New York’s overriding interest is to have community microgrids which will keep the power turned on even during severe storms. Superstorm Sandy was the spark, and continuing bad snowstorms have kept the concept on the table.<br />
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“Having a reliable source of power is crucial when extreme weather strikes – and by launching this microgrid competition, we're encouraging the development of more resilient energy networks across the state,” Cuomo said. </blockquote>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-71734734588285731292015-02-10T11:57:00.000-05:002015-02-10T11:57:11.095-05:00NJ Business - Energy Savings for Small BusinessIDT Energy's CEO, <span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://njbmagazine.com/monthly_articles/energy-savings-small-businesses/">Geoffrey Rochwarger</a>, recently spoke with NJ Business Magazine on how small businesses can save money on energy. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">"</span></span><span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px;">While the economy in New Jersey has been slowly and steadily improving, energy costs in the state are still among the highest in the nation. However, for small business owners in the state, possible energy cost savings can be just around the corner due to various laws, energy regulations and energy efficiency programs offered by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and state utility and energy companies. "</span><br />
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 20px;">Read the <a href="http://njbmagazine.com/monthly_articles/energy-savings-small-businesses/">full article</a>. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-86893544892009754822015-01-23T02:34:00.000-05:002015-01-15T02:38:44.036-05:00Read Your Labels to Get the Most from Your Purchases<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJVoe0WMqudeEktYsG-xqXLbOnP1BoATL52cY9HgJz5rj47SAP5o-JU7_dE8bXTpzfwY71gxC0i9AK9H6ZC7clODHI5MaMLqPhLHYkWcmuYQeK0iVWjs-qtSQxJ_EUlpC-NKv/s1600/DfE+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJVoe0WMqudeEktYsG-xqXLbOnP1BoATL52cY9HgJz5rj47SAP5o-JU7_dE8bXTpzfwY71gxC0i9AK9H6ZC7clODHI5MaMLqPhLHYkWcmuYQeK0iVWjs-qtSQxJ_EUlpC-NKv/s1600/DfE+Logo.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a program designed to help consumers understand the environmental impact their purchases have on the environment so they can make intelligent choices. The mission of the EPA is to protect the health and environment of US citizens, and one of the methods they employ is informational labeling. Utilizing the expertise of the EPA to investigate the relative safety of products, this governmental agency is perfectly appointed to put their own “seal of approval” on a variety of products.<br />
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“Design for the Environment” labels on consumer products attest to the fact that the EPA has evaluated a product and deemed it safer for consumer use without sacrificing quality or performance standards. A huge variety of consumer products are tested and evaluated, and labeled constantly, including cleaning products, car care products, fire-fighting products, hand soaps, and many other products. The service industry and consumer electronics can also earn the DfE label.<br />
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In 2011 the use of harmful chemical by Americans was reduced by 756 million pounds through the use of the DfE label. When consumers choose products with the DfE label they are choosing to contribute to a safer and healthier environment for all Americans.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-23290299775877645072014-12-23T13:19:00.000-05:002014-12-23T13:19:00.206-05:00Reward Yourself This Holiday Season!December and the holidays is the giving season. IDT Energy wants to remind you of all the great opportunities for our customers and we give back to our favorite people - YOU!<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksCIwbWL-7UEKPXvBGGIzi0VPD_lAfc7ZqcDl7jfUcAC98qoOSUbgERIMRdI8Rt2qycmT0_b5Ub6qK-4MdPviOcx_W0wFCgPC4sd68M2pObgO1lmp6-kgSML5oZVCiXenuQ1rNQ/s1600/iStock_000027390620XXXLarge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksCIwbWL-7UEKPXvBGGIzi0VPD_lAfc7ZqcDl7jfUcAC98qoOSUbgERIMRdI8Rt2qycmT0_b5Ub6qK-4MdPviOcx_W0wFCgPC4sd68M2pObgO1lmp6-kgSML5oZVCiXenuQ1rNQ/s1600/iStock_000027390620XXXLarge.jpeg" height="236" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>IDT Energy Rewards</b></div>
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IDT Energy customers can register online at <a href="http://www.idtenergyrewards.com/">www.IDTEnergyRewards.com</a> today to start earning valuable reward points on every kWh of electricity and therm of natural gas we supply. Then redeem these points for popular retailer gift cards, electronics, appliances, jewelry, sporting goods and so much more! Save them up for next holiday season or treat yourself, but put your energy supply bill to work for you!</div>
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<b>IDT Energy Refer-A-Friend</b></div>
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Take advantage of the holiday get togethers and parties to tell your family and friends about IDT Energy, and earn some extra spending money! Every customer that you refer, and stays active with us for 3 billing cycles, we will reward you with $25. If your friend/family signs up with both electric and natural gas supply we'll send you a check for $50. Make this holiday season work for you! Check out the details at <a href="http://www.idtenergyfriends.com/">www.IDTEnergyFriends.com</a>. </div>
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<b>IDT Energy Home Services</b></div>
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Home is where the heart is. We understand the need to make sure your home and everything in it is protected. We are teaming up with the best home protection companies in the business to offer our customers home warranty plans at a discounted price. Find out more at <a href="http://www.idtenergyhomeservices.com/">www.IDTEnergyHomeServices.com</a>.</div>
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<b>LifeLock Discount</b></div>
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With all of the recent credit card hacks and trouble with personal security, you are probably concerned. IDT Energy has teamed up with LIfeLock, Inc to provide our customers with a free trial and discount on their services. LifeLock is the leader in identity theft protection. They work relentlessly to protect their members from identity theft so they can live freely with confidence in an always-connected world. <a href="http://idtenergy.com/added-value/idt-energy-customers-qualify-free-30-day-trial-10-discount/">Take advantage today</a>!</div>
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Of course our work is not done! Stay tuned as we have some exciting new programs and discounts for our customers coming in 2015!</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-18191217065072409902014-12-23T02:59:00.000-05:002014-12-23T02:59:00.066-05:00Saving Energy in the Winter Can be Easier, and Cheaper, Than You Think<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWkJLhBe_4KIUdwTW-UA5qdEFS4kWqaTBBl4KuU0tUG5lAG4dvhrmgF8sjsKdK_3oB4NeQBA6aL33Uem-RpGrign5VFpMDHdjUD9p4u85sVWjQQgqAj12UTRUETY99VG8vTbZ/s1600/Winter+in+Marine+Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWkJLhBe_4KIUdwTW-UA5qdEFS4kWqaTBBl4KuU0tUG5lAG4dvhrmgF8sjsKdK_3oB4NeQBA6aL33Uem-RpGrign5VFpMDHdjUD9p4u85sVWjQQgqAj12UTRUETY99VG8vTbZ/s1600/Winter+in+Marine+Park.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York in Winter:Photo by <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MarineParkStreet.jpg%20Of%20course%20you%20would%20like%20to%20save%20energy%20and%20money%20this%20winter,%20but%20the%20budget%20for%20installing%20new" target="_blank">GK tramrunner</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course you would like to save energy and money this winter, but the budget for installing new energy efficient windows or insulating the attic, is just not there. Don’t worry. Here are some free and easy ways to save on your energy bill this winter. Perhaps with the money you save heating your home this winter you can afford the more expensive energy savings ideas for next winter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Let the sun heat your house. When the sun is shining, even during the winter, those powerful rays can warm the inside of your home. Give it a try. Don’t forget to close the drapes when the sun goes down to keep all that nice warm air inside where it belongs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A little smart room design can help save energy. Place the furniture closer to interior walls. Family members will feel much warmer if they are not sitting adjacent to outer walls or drafty windows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fireplaces can be a real waste of energy. When in use much of the warmed air just goes right up and out the chimney. When not in use be sure to keep the damper completely shut. Before closing the damper make 100 percent certain there are no smoldering embers left. If you do decide to stop using your fireplace entirely, block off the chimney with a bit of rigid insulation which fits tightly into the space. Dampers simply do not completely shut off air leakage.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Check around the house for places you can save energy. Are the lights on in empty rooms? Is your spare fridge in the basement not really needed? Then unplug it. After they do their job turn off kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Speed up shower time. Heating water for showers accounts for about 67 percent of your water heating bill. Reducing the amount of water you use in the shower can be a huge money saver.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Use appliances in a more efficient way. Don’t run the dishwasher until it’s full. Don’t do a load of wash unless it’s also full. Most laundry can be successfully washed in cold water. Only use the hot water cycle when absolutely necessary. Always take out the lint when loading up the dryer. Use the automatic setting to shut off the dryer when it senses the clothes are dry.</span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-26994906197345257132014-12-18T12:38:00.000-05:002014-12-18T12:52:04.248-05:00IDT Energy SmartBudget Program is Expanding!IDT Energy is excited to announce that we are expanding our SmartBudget program into three new utility territories! In Pennsylvania we have added PennPower and PECO to the line up which now includes all of the electric utilities that we cover in PA. And we have added our first utility to New Jersey: PSEG!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh6LERPEjVmH7kuKUEA14fjZ4-G-RhKv2CinrqLT_BcCJMs_XspZlCoXqz1ptP5kczg8fBRsenS54GVW7UtIvUAlelpJp1KuRAS6j5Xv3Zf8LRj11OJJo7k_YJDq0QGAH0wyhPA/s1600/Happy+Child+Sq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeh6LERPEjVmH7kuKUEA14fjZ4-G-RhKv2CinrqLT_BcCJMs_XspZlCoXqz1ptP5kczg8fBRsenS54GVW7UtIvUAlelpJp1KuRAS6j5Xv3Zf8LRj11OJJo7k_YJDq0QGAH0wyhPA/s1600/Happy+Child+Sq.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>What does this mean for our customers?</b><br />
The SmartBudget rate guarantees your electric supply rate for 12 months. That means there are NO rate spikes or surprises.<br />
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<b>Am I locked in to a contract for a year?</b><br />
NO. There are no long-term commitments or termination fees. Unlike other fixed rate options with contracts and termination fees, IDT Energy allows you to cancel without penalty.<br />
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<b>Is there an enrollment fee?</b><br />
Just like our variable, SmartFlex rate there are no enrollments fees, up-front costs or deposits.<br />
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<b>What is the rate for my utility?</b><br />
Check out the rate available in your area <a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/facebook">here</a>!<br />
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<b>I looked at my utility and only the SmartFlex rate was offered.</b><br />
We are working to add more utilities to the SmartBudget program. Take advantage of the flexibility that the SmartFlex offers plus all of the <a href="http://idtenergy.com/added-value/">added benefits</a> that IDT Energy offers all of it's customers.<br />
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<b>I signed up for IDT Energy - can I take advantage of the added benefits?</b><br />
Yes! Signup for the <a href="http://www.idtenergyrewards.com/">IDT Energy Rewards Program</a> and earn points to redeem for all different things including games and gift cards! <b><i>PLUS</i></b> IDT Energy offers discounts on <a href="http://idtenergyhomeservices.com/">home warranty</a> and <a href="http://idtenergy.com/added-value/idt-energy-customers-qualify-free-30-day-trial-10-discount/">LifeLock</a>. Our energy experts are working diligently to add more partner programs that offer more discounts and added value to our customers.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-67269601470322840892014-11-25T09:22:00.000-05:002014-11-25T09:23:42.767-05:00Thanksgiving Energy Saving Tips<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDXsVVvNbAlqwg8DlzUiKOJlX6UdTf37Y3veTvm54-Jb37Qg84lSTauXiOR-ajIoycyuSvILe9wA3gepJMr465l08YffMB3wCjApqP_HaRimfIfmg4o-b6zSrk_CgcYYd4qLp-Q/s1600/TurkeyOnTheGrill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDXsVVvNbAlqwg8DlzUiKOJlX6UdTf37Y3veTvm54-Jb37Qg84lSTauXiOR-ajIoycyuSvILe9wA3gepJMr465l08YffMB3wCjApqP_HaRimfIfmg4o-b6zSrk_CgcYYd4qLp-Q/s1600/TurkeyOnTheGrill.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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After spending money on the Turkey and all of side dishes, who isn't looking to save a few dollars before the holiday season? Here are 10 energy saving tips for cooking your Thanksgiving meal:</div>
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<li>Use an ice chest or cooler for drinks if you're hosting a large group to cut down on wasting electricity when the refrigerator door is open.</li>
<li>Use LED lighting if you're decorating with holiday lights already. It's more energy efficient</li>
<li>Turn down your house thermostat! You’ll likely be pumping plenty of extra heat out of the kitchen to make up for the difference.</li>
<li>The sides: choose sides that you can cook with the turkey in the oven simultaneously so you don’t have to add extra time to the oven’s use.</li>
<li>Don’t worry about pre-heating the oven, it’s not necessary for a long, slow cook like a turkey.</li>
<li>Use ceramic or glass pans, you can turn down your oven by up to 25 degrees and your food will still cook just as quickly.</li>
<li>Check to see if your oven has a convection feature; it will cook more quickly and it is more energy efficient.</li>
<li>Cook on a gas grill instead of the oven. They are clean burning and energy efficient. </li>
<li>Let your leftovers cool before you store them, so your refrigerator doesn't have to work as hard to cool the items. </li>
<li>Cook more efficiently by using lids. When cooking with pots and pans, make sure to use lids whenever possible to retain heat. Doing so will allow you to save energy by cooking on lower heat settings over shorter cooking times.</li>
</ol>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-58546386888235824272014-11-23T02:16:00.000-05:002014-11-10T02:22:27.787-05:00Ten Amazing Things to Make Using Duct Tape<div class="MsoNormal">
Duct tape is one of the most useful and versatile household
items commonly found in home-hardware closets. Here are some great ideas to
turn duct tape into some clever creations guaranteed to last.</div>
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<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span dir="LTR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Hammock- Using several
colors of duct tape and two wooden dowels, make your own colorful hammock.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGuS-g8_oOHvXLjNpTSzXXacaaqNL3Az6CaWEgdakS1IOo4JOfxOgBLO14YCIk7cQafnJX2rbGOiUxfijfyTbT1OBdet8IavpkJJ6k1rahiEVvPZLq_oLRqnzq4JExihCYl0N/s1600/Hammock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGuS-g8_oOHvXLjNpTSzXXacaaqNL3Az6CaWEgdakS1IOo4JOfxOgBLO14YCIk7cQafnJX2rbGOiUxfijfyTbT1OBdet8IavpkJJ6k1rahiEVvPZLq_oLRqnzq4JExihCYl0N/s1600/Hammock.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span dir="LTR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Duct Tape Typhoon Pants-
Stay dry this rainy season with homemade waterproof pants.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobhRwA6qKqg34LuH6scN6ZWk396rkQBjix5ix38UlG2o7XWUHJctw7embZPOvaO_zDK9c2fxthlaost1mGXl4iiL7iXctDp_jXJjT-I7Nio7S1CmqQyTJejSYbIrT47ZaZp5D/s1600/Pants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobhRwA6qKqg34LuH6scN6ZWk396rkQBjix5ix38UlG2o7XWUHJctw7embZPOvaO_zDK9c2fxthlaost1mGXl4iiL7iXctDp_jXJjT-I7Nio7S1CmqQyTJejSYbIrT47ZaZp5D/s1600/Pants.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span dir="LTR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Kayak- In case you were
wondering just how waterproof duct tape really is, here is a kayak made with
the tape and PVC pipe to keep you afloat.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TnkmuJig5MUx8dis35feoG8x4Z9szq6NM9SZtCfHYqvwma14xinPrIUeGkl6ctNJ21A7nngM7Yrub9-LV4HVFyQ3TXuUE9-AYWYPuwGyGP14HvymVxzKG4OnV3SYM_2tyehH/s1600/Kayak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TnkmuJig5MUx8dis35feoG8x4Z9szq6NM9SZtCfHYqvwma14xinPrIUeGkl6ctNJ21A7nngM7Yrub9-LV4HVFyQ3TXuUE9-AYWYPuwGyGP14HvymVxzKG4OnV3SYM_2tyehH/s1600/Kayak.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">4.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span dir="LTR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Tool box- Be the first on
your block (or in your city, state, maybe even country) with a tool tote made
from what is usually found INSIDE the box.</span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwYYpv4UZBfVGmYeJSFaS5QtZ3z6cbt2m4coEWPuQZDbpRtZxg6kx3tKpGZQvDxX3xJ6eyO1v6s5WDKwfA3r8Kn79YSFD_RUJ67IUdJjsA7XKKks8ITeBSFWKdbqxGNjJEeLs/s1600/Tool+Box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwYYpv4UZBfVGmYeJSFaS5QtZ3z6cbt2m4coEWPuQZDbpRtZxg6kx3tKpGZQvDxX3xJ6eyO1v6s5WDKwfA3r8Kn79YSFD_RUJ67IUdJjsA7XKKks8ITeBSFWKdbqxGNjJEeLs/s1600/Tool+Box.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">5.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span dir="LTR" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Batman Mask- Sorry its
already too late for this Halloween, but you can create a wonderful Batman mask
and be ready for next year.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-yYicQTEV5Uvrp3xCWT9xKO1ZsaeNGTpCBq9n7Xpb6ZqfxQwl6sdWwdq8fLhhpbLhyuDQ6Z5gLPvs1ELO97e5lTCK0sMPMceRPDSMgSZurjgPydFUQLAyspXO0-KCvy-_HnD/s1600/Batman+Mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-yYicQTEV5Uvrp3xCWT9xKO1ZsaeNGTpCBq9n7Xpb6ZqfxQwl6sdWwdq8fLhhpbLhyuDQ6Z5gLPvs1ELO97e5lTCK0sMPMceRPDSMgSZurjgPydFUQLAyspXO0-KCvy-_HnD/s1600/Batman+Mask.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-92206032800687888892014-10-28T13:21:00.000-04:002014-10-28T13:21:25.207-04:00Pinching Your Pennies? Make a Battery Out of Them!So this type of project might not give you <a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/2free">free energy</a>, power up your TV or light up your house, it may give some extra juice to a calculator or LED. Plus, its a fun way to teach your children about energy.<br />
<br />
Supplies:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 24px;">10 Pennies (1983 or older)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 24px;">Paper towels, cardboard or other absorbent material</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 24px;">Lemon juice (salt or vinegar works too)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 24px;">Sand paper</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Aluminum foil</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 24px;">LED</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">How To:</span></span></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Sand down one side the pennies to remove the copper outer core and reveal the inner zinc.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Cut the paper towels to be the same size and shape of the pennies.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Soak the paper towel in the lemon juice and blot dry so liquid is not dripping. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">On top of the aluminum foil layer the pennies and pieces of paper towels like a sandwich. It should be in this order: Copper side down, paper towel, copper side down, paper towel... The cooper side will be the positive and the zinc or sanded side will be the negative. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Wrap your new battery cell in electrical tape. Make sure it is air tight to prevent the paper towels from drying to quickly. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Connect an LED light bulb (around 6 volts) to the pennies. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Light it up! It should stay lite for about 2 weeks. Add more pennies and it should stay lite longer.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Want some history on batteries to go along with? Check <a href="http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/battery1.htm">this </a>out!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-4248060663080492702014-10-22T08:03:00.001-04:002014-10-22T08:03:18.119-04:00Weather-stripping: A Great Solution to a Common Problem<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQysipxpoSGhJMknsP8W3C1a0WIm7bu38esoTEXsxyuuVc-g-895cnc78fKE0cjmXuK8QXc_F8XCJCs6DCf9FStaeh3Qc41GrCae6lL9u9tDm4ulDjcOk9A7lfn9gtnJWtr4U/s1600/weather+stripping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQysipxpoSGhJMknsP8W3C1a0WIm7bu38esoTEXsxyuuVc-g-895cnc78fKE0cjmXuK8QXc_F8XCJCs6DCf9FStaeh3Qc41GrCae6lL9u9tDm4ulDjcOk9A7lfn9gtnJWtr4U/s1600/weather+stripping.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding weather stripping is a great solution for those pesky drafts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. For example, what could be simpler than weather stripping? Used properly, this easy to install, inexpensive material can save a homeowner or apartment owner who pays his own utility bills, quite a bit of money over the course of a cold winter or hot summer.<br />
<br />
Here’s the idea. Since it is inevitable that the moveable components of a home, such as its windows and doors, will have small spaces at the meeting points between movable and fixed, weather stripping is introduced to seal those spaces. This seal keeps in the expensive hot or cold air produced with your hard earned dollars, and keeps out the hot summer or cool winter air that is trying to neutralize your efforts at staying comfortable.<br />
<br />
Choosing the correct weather stripping for the task it is needed for is crucial for good results. Take care to make sure the stripping under a door does not overly drag on the floor or carpet, which can cause it to erode and become ineffective. Window stripping must be able to withstand the sliding movement of the panes.<br />
<br />
There is a large selection of weather stripping types to choose from:<br />
<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tension seal<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Felt<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reinforced foam<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tape<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Rolled or reinforced vinyl<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Door sweep<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Magnetic<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tubular rubber and vinyl<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Reinforced silicone<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Door shoe<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Bulb threshold<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>“Frost-brake” threshold<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fin seal<br />
•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Interlocking metal channels<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-9585910100655008332014-10-21T17:21:00.000-04:002014-10-21T17:21:51.014-04:006 Unusual DIY LampsThe weather has cooled off and and it might be time to move your DIY skills inside. As <a href="http://idtenergy.com/aboutus/">energy nerds</a>, we like projects that involve energy and lamps were right up our alley. Plus we like saving money, so DIY projects are kinda our thing. We found 6 cool and unusual lamps that you can create at home. Would you take on a project like this? Or have you already?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Auto Part Lamp </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This lamp is made from a car air filter and other auto parts. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAFaxSopCAofJzkmUUOCUVYSue7m1op8mXEwXsKzuMEUGPsqejT1A3aTBlnIweo0iUvX429EfQcOR4m0AYdrRcZQTzMAVodiQtijcgBPq4wLAURtg4f67mt5xI_h9f6KqsTcLxw/s1600/autopart+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAFaxSopCAofJzkmUUOCUVYSue7m1op8mXEwXsKzuMEUGPsqejT1A3aTBlnIweo0iUvX429EfQcOR4m0AYdrRcZQTzMAVodiQtijcgBPq4wLAURtg4f67mt5xI_h9f6KqsTcLxw/s1600/autopart+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049193304/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Combo Lamp</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plug in or charge up with this lamp. It's both and outlet and a lamp!</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUJ_33Gyn8Q3fdXJiN1jxe42bCjcXVmFywAAjevRm5okKsAd7F5r9fbyXHbzu-dRBWoWuAR-WeeKI0JMgzUYYVfKcErl-sq_PaZLf91xzQRjO_TogjqBvZonKn_RX7BV5Cig9fw/s1600/Combo+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUJ_33Gyn8Q3fdXJiN1jxe42bCjcXVmFywAAjevRm5okKsAd7F5r9fbyXHbzu-dRBWoWuAR-WeeKI0JMgzUYYVfKcErl-sq_PaZLf91xzQRjO_TogjqBvZonKn_RX7BV5Cig9fw/s1600/Combo+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049193502/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Lego Lamp</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If you have a little boy or girl that loves to build with legos this lamp is a fun activity to do together!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzU1ZWbsY7bCrkaiWZp9QTKuv2kOESOC7A6bEZrhKxk4qLQnfTKec8W7SeL3ot2F1ERtp9PvqjhhO-1LwjuBvOKQDm9lGExmVnOtVEteUQVXbCNnwSyJXX0f2F1mjasjD4XBIIw/s1600/lego+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzU1ZWbsY7bCrkaiWZp9QTKuv2kOESOC7A6bEZrhKxk4qLQnfTKec8W7SeL3ot2F1ERtp9PvqjhhO-1LwjuBvOKQDm9lGExmVnOtVEteUQVXbCNnwSyJXX0f2F1mjasjD4XBIIw/s1600/lego+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049194225/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Teacup Lamp</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have some old china you aren't quite sure what to do with? Or a dainty room that needs some light?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWBIzrq__blDR4P7Uhed6CRmVAnLcmAg7kVQwx1NvkO6E2dZvVwMojp-COmIAiljqS5DgrKqozxdhPjbhE53qvwwQSFV0nPBbFsSB1dptda0SuAnaBlUmt__TR0vm5zq8xIJmbQ/s1600/teacup+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWBIzrq__blDR4P7Uhed6CRmVAnLcmAg7kVQwx1NvkO6E2dZvVwMojp-COmIAiljqS5DgrKqozxdhPjbhE53qvwwQSFV0nPBbFsSB1dptda0SuAnaBlUmt__TR0vm5zq8xIJmbQ/s1600/teacup+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049193778/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Toy Lamp</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The below picture has it with different action figurines and toy soldiers, but we thought it would also be cute with trucks & cars or ponies!</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsEFr9IrSZhURJpRoltHJowTUq3-t9bkmm_ISqSdF5jXSQUk_UUeJfxdpSGkugx_pM7fUZMpALlXHmfoVwTkqdi0as0PllcSYegdoyrAWVh8F1MTfGxafv3ar5IuQQUkDw6HuJA/s1600/toy+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsEFr9IrSZhURJpRoltHJowTUq3-t9bkmm_ISqSdF5jXSQUk_UUeJfxdpSGkugx_pM7fUZMpALlXHmfoVwTkqdi0as0PllcSYegdoyrAWVh8F1MTfGxafv3ar5IuQQUkDw6HuJA/s1600/toy+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049193779/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Colander Chandelier</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking for some rustic charm in the kitchen? Something useful and decorative? We think you could even take of the kitchen utensils if you have an over crowded dinner party. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtTS1lHlbcrMt3YNKMWJs-IRHP3bcl_rlxwo5x80nF7qMxPCJlKVpmr_3g6d6m8j5eUp1V-2wHFmWZ6ddc01DJmd3szypkRDYY8iv8CFNRGnX0Vmkk13VroyOALAa0PbKvXILQ/s1600/colendar+lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUtTS1lHlbcrMt3YNKMWJs-IRHP3bcl_rlxwo5x80nF7qMxPCJlKVpmr_3g6d6m8j5eUp1V-2wHFmWZ6ddc01DJmd3szypkRDYY8iv8CFNRGnX0Vmkk13VroyOALAa0PbKvXILQ/s1600/colendar+lamp.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317049193301/">Find it here!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-59618546119298566342014-10-17T14:36:00.000-04:002014-10-17T14:36:06.442-04:00Favorite Fall Crock Pot Recipes Fall is a great time to break out the crock pot. We have <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/idtenergy/energy-efficient-foodie/">pinned </a>some of our favorite recipes but check out our top 5 foods below!<br />
<br />
1.<b> Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup</b><br />
<br />
One word - Yum! Buffalo Chicken Wing dip is a staple at many football parties, but have you tried the soup version? If not you are in for a delight. There are a number of different versions so we pinned a few on our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/idtenergy/energy-efficient-foodie/">Energy Efficient Foodie</a> board. But the key ingredients are Franks Red Hot Sauce, chicken, mozzarella cheese and milk. We also really enjoy this in a bread bowl!<br />
<br />
2. <b>Candied Sweet Potatoes</b><br />
<br />
This is great for Thanksgiving, easing up some of that precious oven space. It's sweet and yummy, plus who doesn't like marshmallows in their dinner? Plus with around 3 main ingredients and a few kitchen staples, it doesn't require a huge chuck of your budget.<br />
<br />
3. <b>Chili - Chicken Style</b><br />
<br />
Fall and chili almost go together. Ground meat and tomatoes all stewed together with some great spices and maybe beans... our tummies are doing grumbling. But least we forget traditional chili's favorite sibling - White Chicken Chili. A bit different take, but oh so satisfying.<br />
<br />
4. <b>Hot Apple Cider</b><br />
<br />
It's apple season. Apple pies, apple crisp, apple sauce and one yummy beverage - apple cider. Your crockpot isn't just for food, but beverages too! Sure you can just heat up some apple cider and call it a day, but if you want to add a little extra yum to it, try it in a crockpot. Apple cider + cinnamon + whole cloves = amazing.<br />
<br />
5. <b>Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Pasta</b><br />
<br />
Yet another shout out to our Buffalo foodie customers, but we couldn't pass up this pasta recipe with our favorite hot sauce. We haven't tried it ourselves yet, but it just looks to good not to! <a href="http://crockpotgourmet.net/2014/07/08/crockpot-cheesy-buffalo-chicken-pasta/">Check it out</a>.<br />
<br />
Happy Friday!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-42274031119108094302014-10-06T12:42:00.000-04:002014-10-06T12:42:04.794-04:0010 Energy Saving Tips for Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn1OcaFdHE2aSUQ7wEVtIEF8372H2Oj5ML0qUfAgFhgVSqacw89g8PuJSlI-EAZeXyeKwnnfmZQ1HL6ouxXmVrAGHS0IQE6DYF_hL2zfcOUpIdMF7M5sxfhbNOsNAcTLGs5-wOA/s1600/fall+mother+and+daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkn1OcaFdHE2aSUQ7wEVtIEF8372H2Oj5ML0qUfAgFhgVSqacw89g8PuJSlI-EAZeXyeKwnnfmZQ1HL6ouxXmVrAGHS0IQE6DYF_hL2zfcOUpIdMF7M5sxfhbNOsNAcTLGs5-wOA/s1600/fall+mother+and+daughter.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;">The nights are cool, and the days are warm - Fall is here! While the leaves change and the trees prepare for cooler temperatures, it's time to prepare your house to keep the heat in and cool air out.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;">Here are 10 tips to make your house more energy efficient for the winter:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;" /><br />
<ol style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.8800010681152px;">
<li>Schedule a tune up for your heating system. Not only will this help your furnace run more efficiently, but it may help prevent a break down in the cold winter months. </li>
<li>Replace your furnace filter. Continue to replace it once a month while in use. </li>
<li>Find and seal any air leaks caused by pipes or lines entering your house. </li>
<li>Add caulk or weather stripping to leaky doors and windows. </li>
<li>Check your fireplace damper to ensure it is closed when not in use. </li>
<li>If you never use your fireplace seal the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible. </li>
<li>Add caulking to the fireplace hearth.</li>
<li>Take advantage of the heat from the sun - open the drapes during the day to allow the sun to come in and close them at night to keep the warmth in. </li>
<li>Use a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet on a frame or tape clear plastic film to the inside of your window frames during the cold winter months. </li>
<li>Your water heater can account for 14%-25% of your heating costs. Turn down the setting on your hot water heater to warm - or 120 degrees. </li>
</ol>
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For more ways to save check out <a href="http://www.idtenergy.com/FAQ" style="color: #fc8901; text-decoration: none;">www.IDTEnergy.com</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-67566247164115925992014-10-03T14:25:00.002-04:002014-10-03T14:25:47.029-04:00Fall Tailgating Tips - Energy Nerd Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABhD1DtbloAbFcEuewv-UPiQkmmAXqPn5_bIKP51qaB6-2xyHAYO81Pyu5Jv6_zgFXjL2fW31IgNeB3psG6z961UTssZRHYbc4HA6lZ05UpXghp4Q4XrjPBNFCyDDtDvfnVy8cg/s1600/Tailgate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABhD1DtbloAbFcEuewv-UPiQkmmAXqPn5_bIKP51qaB6-2xyHAYO81Pyu5Jv6_zgFXjL2fW31IgNeB3psG6z961UTssZRHYbc4HA6lZ05UpXghp4Q4XrjPBNFCyDDtDvfnVy8cg/s1600/Tailgate.jpg" height="294" width="320" /></a></div>
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Football season is in full swing! Are you planning on tailgating with your favorite team this year? Here are some tips to put your tailgate yards head of your neighbors - energy nerd style:<br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Freeze water bottles instead of dumping ice into your cooler. It will keep things cold, plus it's a refreshing beverage after it melts!</span></li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbyN5yj2TPUythsLezB2Nu2W2Zn1gkevegvIgZguPdeGDv75lh_gwXFtpbs5pcaqzyEHxgjMw-mKHiB050bP-vTgknyFpQH4h0t3cHfA_kbPlRvqAP7C6N855RWPoVdZJQr8i0g/s1600/Frozen-water-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbyN5yj2TPUythsLezB2Nu2W2Zn1gkevegvIgZguPdeGDv75lh_gwXFtpbs5pcaqzyEHxgjMw-mKHiB050bP-vTgknyFpQH4h0t3cHfA_kbPlRvqAP7C6N855RWPoVdZJQr8i0g/s1600/Frozen-water-bottle.jpg" height="320" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317048999556/">Via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Amplify the sound. Forgot the speakers? Use a toilet paper roll and two cups</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQjLSc_1-Rzo9kZxTvg0LfRZg9Rscxd4I8CVR9y0yP_nboFHvmW0JHLIcWxJIvtw4bFLx9cX018QPByFSKA3gskpmeOpo4a21KEb9Rkiwzzw_Js4ZPKnZTCQVYYuQZu2Iwuphew/s1600/solo+cup+speakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQjLSc_1-Rzo9kZxTvg0LfRZg9Rscxd4I8CVR9y0yP_nboFHvmW0JHLIcWxJIvtw4bFLx9cX018QPByFSKA3gskpmeOpo4a21KEb9Rkiwzzw_Js4ZPKnZTCQVYYuQZu2Iwuphew/s1600/solo+cup+speakers.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317048999661/">Via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul>
<li>Use your cooler to cook the corn on the cob in larger quantities<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6O-DSI10pVqMX_V7rXJrm3gIclQugaXkSQpOrWSF1yK80wxEFRKkhyd66JOo9T92M_KyKQr9VeH2z4yE_TR3XmNStcCGfmJdxXhLu1KxbVHp5QKSL6p1aHdIX_1NswIpm8cg_Q/s1600/corn+in+a+cooler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib6O-DSI10pVqMX_V7rXJrm3gIclQugaXkSQpOrWSF1yK80wxEFRKkhyd66JOo9T92M_KyKQr9VeH2z4yE_TR3XmNStcCGfmJdxXhLu1KxbVHp5QKSL6p1aHdIX_1NswIpm8cg_Q/s1600/corn+in+a+cooler.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317048999779/">Via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
<li>Turn your cooler into a food warmer. Keep your food warm for hours!</li>
<ul>
<li>How to: </li>
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Wrap 4 bricks (the kind used to build walls) with aluminum foil. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Heat the bricks in a 350° oven for an hour. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #171717; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, 'ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3', 'Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro', メイリオ, Meiryo, 'MS Pゴシック', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Using potholders, carefully place them on pieces of cardboard in the bottom of a cooler. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #171717; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, ヒラギノ角ゴ Pro W3, Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro, メイリオ, Meiryo, MS Pゴシック, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;">Cover with more cardboard and use cloth towels for stability. Pans of food, straight from the oven will stay hot for hours.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-83244683102501179242014-09-29T16:33:00.001-04:002014-09-29T16:33:39.280-04:00The NYC Energy Marketing Conference Honors IDT Energy, Inc. with its Industry Leadership and Integrity Award<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzjVLZyiwLyLx_HA0MlZwp0FbLljplB1W9sat6fOJXhasNfWYOHfaatwwqdl-RedZOc4pxp2wpt7qR72fH8SG3jf9CYHavmwccXRJDRnXBo5iNrDBjXEKg4k3JSaPx7wZyyeBdQ/s1600/IDT+Energy+Award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzjVLZyiwLyLx_HA0MlZwp0FbLljplB1W9sat6fOJXhasNfWYOHfaatwwqdl-RedZOc4pxp2wpt7qR72fH8SG3jf9CYHavmwccXRJDRnXBo5iNrDBjXEKg4k3JSaPx7wZyyeBdQ/s1600/IDT+Energy+Award.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></div>
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We are proud to announce that our CEO has accepted the "Industry Leadership and Integrity Award presented by the NYC Energy Marketing Conference.<br />
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"<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Most CEO’s of REPs saw the crisis of 2014 as dangerous and catastrophic. Yet the CEO of IDT Energy saw it as an opportunity: a chance to separate his company from the industry, to grow as a business, to improve the customer offerings, to show his integrity and to lead by example,” said Jack Doueck, EMC Founder. “IDT voluntarily suffered economically, but they did the right things, the painful things, and in so doing, they overcame and grew from the adversity and became a better, stronger, and more responsive business.” </span><br />
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Read more about the award and how <a href="http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140911006029/en/NYC-Energy-Marketing-Conference-Honors-IDT-Energy#.VCnAOPldUWJ">honor IDT Energy received</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-1294600331149669602014-09-26T13:01:00.000-04:002014-09-26T13:01:00.337-04:00Air Leaks: Checking and SealingFall is here! And it's time to start prepping your house for the colder weather. Did you know that even if you have insulated your walls and updated your window there could still be small leaks sucking out the heat and costing you money? Small spaces, like your light sockets and outlets, could lack insulation and be the source.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVC0M9fMdEQ9Hjt8suhp_YsTTOUYBUpAlCP5CWu0SqtUqegbfobecyulX2-DOuVN8tw5JBKcCDf27vTjI2G339MzdyWlmOacvfssSdG_bhXeMILrlnVrUiUUFMhnnusqdcJX2mQ/s1600/incense+stick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVC0M9fMdEQ9Hjt8suhp_YsTTOUYBUpAlCP5CWu0SqtUqegbfobecyulX2-DOuVN8tw5JBKcCDf27vTjI2G339MzdyWlmOacvfssSdG_bhXeMILrlnVrUiUUFMhnnusqdcJX2mQ/s1600/incense+stick.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317048930779/">Via</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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How to check for energy loss: Turn off the furnace and any fans, also shut the doors and windows in your house. Light an incense stick and hold it near the outlets and light switches. Any movement? There's a leak!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qx5I6D3yxJxCxBowkKJdpZ8Le5FcACh6WjXM4rMy_VfFy8Z0tUfvGWr6aVjTW5pXczUIcXvYfTSkraZEoeIoewVbuIHjLl2VVaaDLdUtZb35UzERIWvI4ZeZgs95tWtyc6eD3Q/s1600/outlet+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Qx5I6D3yxJxCxBowkKJdpZ8Le5FcACh6WjXM4rMy_VfFy8Z0tUfvGWr6aVjTW5pXczUIcXvYfTSkraZEoeIoewVbuIHjLl2VVaaDLdUtZb35UzERIWvI4ZeZgs95tWtyc6eD3Q/s1600/outlet+cover.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/397935317048930783/">Via</a>)</td></tr>
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How to correct a leak: At a home improvement store, like Home Depot, they have <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Frost-King-Foam-Electrical-Outlet-and-Wall-Plate-Insulating-Kit-OS12H/100184290?N=5yc1vZbm9u">foam electrical outlet and wall covering insulation</a>. By removing your outlet or wall plate, placing the insulation over the outlet and reattaching the plate, you can prevent these leaks. Not an expensive task, this minimally time consuming change could make your house a little cozier this winter!<br />
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Have questions on your energy bill? Contact an <a href="http://idtenergy.com/contactus/">IDT Energy Customer Service</a> Rep today!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-15417979053973430352014-09-16T05:18:00.000-04:002014-09-16T05:18:36.173-04:00IDT Energy: Energy Saving Ideas for Your HomeWe all love our new LED lamps, but seriously, the light these wonderfully energy efficient bulbs emit is not too aesthetically pleasing. The answer is not to get rid of them since they save huge amounts of energy, and they have about a 50,000-hour lifetime. So what is the answer? How about a new device from a company called Cree.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ87hwxXMbszsYOKWOoyUqY2lLvXo-2xEb6Cx7InRnULU2SLvUB3Bhv5iuOV9ocaxTzvELXiB9RtpdJlDsIRztydU498H9YNKdhhPKFn_jvnPyvmDJkoHhzqqNqw-CE5aoGYC1/s1600/04-Cree-LR6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ87hwxXMbszsYOKWOoyUqY2lLvXo-2xEb6Cx7InRnULU2SLvUB3Bhv5iuOV9ocaxTzvELXiB9RtpdJlDsIRztydU498H9YNKdhhPKFn_jvnPyvmDJkoHhzqqNqw-CE5aoGYC1/s1600/04-Cree-LR6.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dimmable LED Lamp with Warm Incandescent Light</td></tr>
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Cree developed a dimmable LED downlight. Known as the LR6, it uses a combination of red and yellow LEDs to get the lovely, warm incandescent look that most of us prefer. Best of all, the LR6 gets the effect without upping the energy consumption.<br />
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Using only 12 watts of electricity this clever light still can produce 650 lumens of light. That is the same as a 75-watt incandescent bulb. The light is even dimmable, a great advantage for use all over the home. The light also actively manages the output of the LEDs to insure that the light intensity and color does not change during the entire 25-year life expectancy of the light. They are a bit expensive, but if you divide by their lifetimes the deal is pretty good.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-66380044770461717462014-09-05T15:15:00.003-04:002014-09-05T15:16:41.339-04:00Energy Efficient Remodeling: Part 2 - BathroomBathrooms can be one of the smallest rooms in your house, however, they can also be one of the most expensive (next to a <a href="http://idtenergy.blogspot.com/2014/08/energy-efficient-remodeling-part-1.html">kitchen</a>!). So it's important to make it work hard for you and save you money on energy!<br />
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The <a href="http://idtenergy.com/ourteam">IDT Energy</a> geeks have identified four areas that you can make improvements to and save on energy.<br />
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<ol>
<li>Windows</li>
<li>Faucets</li>
<li>Walls/Floors</li>
<li>Lighting</li>
</ol>
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The <b>windows </b>provide light and ventilation for a bathroom. However, if it is not energy efficient it might provide to much ventilation - a draft! A new, updated window can both make the room cozier and more aesthetically pleasing. By installing a window with the Energy Star insignia, it will help prevent the room from becoming too hot or too cold. </div>
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One of the largest energy wasters in a bathroom are the <b>faucets</b>; 50-75% of your water usage is in the bathroom. Leave the sink or shower faucets running and gallons of water, and $$, can disappear down the drain. By installing Energy Star rated faucets, you can reduce the flow of water and limit the amount of wasted water. Additionally, by upgrading your toilet to a dual flush, it can use a fraction of the water every time you flush.</div>
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Increasing the energy efficiency of the <b>walls </b>and <b>floors </b>of the bathroom may be a larger renovation, but can make a vast difference in the overall energy efficiency of the room. People are most sensitive to temperatures in the bathroom and proper insulation helps maintain the correct temperature - preventing additional adjustments to the whole house thermometer. If you are removing walls, one of the most important steps is to increase the insulation if it is below a R19 ( R30 for ceilings) value. Also, by insulating your pipes with in the wall, you can prevent heat loss in water, reducing the energy your water heater uses. While your walls are open, this is a good time to check and seal any leaks in the framing. </div>
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<b>Lighting </b>in bathrooms is important - especially if you are applying makeup! There are a number of ways to increase the energy efficiency with the lighting. A couple simple changes you can make: clean the window(s) - a clean window lets in more light; and change the light bulbs - update to energy efficient light bulbs. A large renovation can increase the lighting overall in your room, depending on where your bathroom is located in the house, add a skylight or for smaller spaces, a solar tube. Either of these options will bring in daylight, decreasing your need for artificial lighting. </div>
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Of course you can always check our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/idtenergy/">Pinterest </a>for more energy efficient tips and ideas. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-47000135968965933452014-08-27T07:12:00.001-04:002014-08-27T07:12:05.072-04:00In the Kitchen: Energy Efficient AppliancesAs a follow up to our last post, here are some more ideas to get the most out of your kitchen appliances, energy-wise.<br />
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Here are a few simple tips from IDT Energy to help you get started making your kitchen as energy efficient as possible:<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Measure the space you have set aside for your new appliance. Then measure the appliance to make sure it will fit and that there is enough space to open doors or lid, and that there is enough room for proper ventilation.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It is not enough to only consider the price of the appliance. Check how much the appliance costs to run, and be sure to purchase the most energy efficient that you can.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Check with the sales person if there are any special offers such as cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentives to purchase a more energy efficient model.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YhxGeQgFy_BI-JcuXG_x7DiaVShBR1aB_vOyWFxYa8NTkU3kJR7iaF5Od62t06OonjJSwT_KiBwe-g6GOXeFquxTcKp0DikXLDMQ9VZpjVwwevFAecSsOY0H0n68TKPzRuQ4/s1600/live_enereffappl_label.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YhxGeQgFy_BI-JcuXG_x7DiaVShBR1aB_vOyWFxYa8NTkU3kJR7iaF5Od62t06OonjJSwT_KiBwe-g6GOXeFquxTcKp0DikXLDMQ9VZpjVwwevFAecSsOY0H0n68TKPzRuQ4/s1600/live_enereffappl_label.gif" height="270" width="640" /></a>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Be sure to read the Energy Guide, the black and yellow sticker that the FTC requires be placed on all new appliances, (with the exception of kitchen ranges, microwave ovens and dryers.) Reading this guide helps consumers to compare the different models and make the most informed choices about the energy they will be using and the money they will be spending when they bring the new appliance into their home.<br />
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Becoming an informed consumer will help you save money and save energy.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>IDT Energyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03428420870309657808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34275200.post-72933285876345975112014-08-08T10:39:00.002-04:002014-08-08T10:40:46.694-04:00Energy Efficient Remodeling: Part 1 - KitchenAre you using this beautiful weather to fix up or remodel some areas of your home? Are you looking to update the cosmetics or perhaps lower your energy bills? There are a number of ways you can make your house work harder for you and spend less on your monthly bills.<br />
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The geeks at <a href="http://idtenergy.com/aboutus/">IDT Energy</a> are always looking for ways to improve their own homes and as total energy geeks we look for ways to <a href="http://idtenergy.com/resources/money-saving-tips-and-hints/">lower our energy bills</a>. For the first part of this series we are looking at the kitchen - the heart and hub of many homes. <br />
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<li>The first and the most obvious way to improve the efficiency in the kitchen is to <b>replace and upgrade the appliances</b>. Older appliances tend to use a lot of energy, by upgrading to energy star rated appliances you will reduce energy usage and save money.</li>
<li>Lighting can account for 15% of your home's energy usage and because your kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house, it uses the majority of that 15%. If you are not replacing the lighting fixtures, simply <b>change your light bulbs</b> from the old style to CFL (compact florescent lights). If you are replacing the light fixtures themselves, <b>upgrade to Energy Star light fixtures</b>. These light fixtures can use 75% less energy, generate 75% less heat and last up to 10 times longer.</li>
<li><b>Increase the natural lighting</b> in the room. By removing any unneeded walls, increasing the window or door size and even adding a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_tube">light tube</a> you can increase the natural light in the room.</li>
<li><b>Add insulation to both the walls and the pipes</b>. Additional insulation around the pipes will prevent the heat escaping from the water. For the outside walls add blown-in insulation if you are not opening the walls and spray foam if you are. Spray foam can be expensive so if you are looking save money, batt and roll works as well. Make sure you have an R value of at least R-30 for outside walls, but the higher the R value the better. </li>
<li>Change out your faucet for a <b>low flow faucet</b> that can reduce water usage by 60%.</li>
<li>Check for any air leaks around electrical outlets, windows, doors and recessed lighting An easy way to look for leaks - use a stick of incense, use it around any possible leaks, if the smoke moves or shift there is a leak. <b>Seal or insulate any leaks</b> that you find. </li>
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Stay tuned as we explore different areas of the house!</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.idtenergy.com</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18432813684998129810noreply@blogger.com0