IDT Energy Introduces SmartBudget

Over the past few months IDT Energy gave back close to $4 million dollars to customers faced with the Polar Vortex price spikes. In addition, we are introducing a new program to help better protect consumers from energy market volatility. The IDT Energy® SmartBudget promotion will lock your electricity supply rate for the next twelve months with no termination fees. This is especially important for utility customers in PA who will see significant rate increases on June 1 for electricity supplied by their utility.

For more information see the article in Yahoo! Finance and stay tuned to this blog and IDT Energy's Facebook!

Energy from Beer?

We've covered some creative ways to generate energy - potatoes, foot steps, algae and even garbage.  But how about from beer?

 

One for me, one for the light bulb.  No don't cry, we aren't really suggesting you give up a nice cold brew just to power your light bulb!  But the waste product from beer is powering some beer factories.  Beer making beer.

A number of beer factories across the globe are utilizing the grain waste by-product to generate enough power to operate their factory from. While there are many variations on the actual process, by burning the excess grain, the boiler is able to create steam which in turn creates electricity.  They are using this technology in Alaska, Germany and even the Magic Hat factory in Vermont!

IDT Energy renewable energy is not from beer we do source credits from other renewable energy. If you are interested in green energy supply,  IDT Energy can help!

IDT Energy Reviews Energy Pictures

Have you check out IDT Energy's Pinterest? We are energy geeks and love to look at pictures of energy in nature. Check out some of our favorites.

Wind Supply
(via IDT Energy Pinterst)

Frozen Gas Bubbles
(via IDT Energy Pinterest)

Storm Energy
(Via IDT Energy Pinterest)

Wind Mill
(Via IDT Energy Pinterest)

Which picture is your favorite?

Follow IDT Energy on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter for more awesome energy related topics!

Electric Supply - From Generator to Light Bulb

In the past we have discussed generating energy from wind, sun, water and even garbage , green slime and potatoes. But how does that energy travel into your house and light up a room?

IDT Energy supply is delivered through utility power lines

It's something that could come up in a rowdy game of "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader" but perhaps not something you have pondered on a daily basis as you flip the light switch and turn on the TV remote.  Energy is harnessed from things like moving water and burning fossil fuels; which turn turbines and unbalance the charges in an atom (simple, right?). But then it must travel, sometimes hundreds of miles in order to be ready for you to utilize that electricity.

Electricity is made when electrons move between atoms. Transmitting wires are made of conductive materials like copper and insulators (like glass or rubber).  Conductive materials allow the transfer of electrons, while insulating material does not allow the electrons to move around.

Electric current is created when electrons move through the conductor.  Electrons need a circuit to move though and cannot move freely through the air. So electricity can flow from the power plant, through the wire, and into your home.  That light switch that magically provides light - a simple switch on the circuit that blocks the electric current from flowing to the light bulb.

Of course this is a simplified version. There are lots of little steps in between - like deciding where your electric supply comes from and making sure a current is always available for you to flip the switch.  Having a company like IDT Energy, doesn't determine the reliability of your supply - but it sure does help the pocketbook when it comes time to pay the bill!

IDT Energy Now Offers Renewable (Green) in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Maryland

With energy deregulation comes choice and responsibility for our environment. In addition to who supplies your home’s electric, you can choose the type of supply you buy as well.  Renewable Energy is the way to go if you are concerned about your environment. IDT Energy is now able to serve its customers electricity generated from “renewable” sources. “Renewable”, also often referred to as Green energy is generated from sources such as running water, wind, solar or biomass. IDT Energy customers in Pennsylvania can rest assured that when they choose a renewable energy supply option, 100% of their electricity usage is matched with renewable energy certificates or renewable energy attributes. For just a few cents more per kilowatt hour than standard electricity, you can gain security in knowing that your dollars are helping the environment, our economy and national security. When you choose an IDT Energy renewable electric service you will be contributing to cleaner, healthier air, reduced dependency on foreign oil and nuclear power, and growth of more domestic job opportunities. Visit www.idtenergy.com/2free or call us at 888-474-2339 for more information and a special service offer. IDT Energy CEO, Geoff Rochwarger commented, “IDT Energy has more to offer than a suite of rebate programs and competitive rates on electric and natural gas supply. We live and work in the markets we serve. Conservation and protection of the environment is important to all of us. Now, IDTEnergy customers can choose not only who supplies energy to their homes, but the type of energy supplied as well

Is Your House Ready for the Summer? Make it Energy Efficient!

Right now is a perfect time to save on energy! The heat is off and the AC hasn't been turned on yet.

It's also a great time to start preparing for the summer - keeping your energy bills low by conserving energy.

Here are IDT Energy's top 5 energy efficiency tips to get ready for the summer:

1. Change the filters once a month.  Don't make your A/C work harder than it has to. Pushing air through a dirty filter takes more energy; plus, who doesn't want clean air!
2. Install a programmable thermostat.  You have heard this one time and time again. So why are you waiting? Your couch and favorite lazy chair don't need to stay cool while you are busy at work. And who has time to remember to adjust the temp when you are running out of the house barely remembering to put shoes on! Set the thermostat to automatically adjust.
3. Clean the condensation lines.  Keeping this clean of sludge and debris is important to maintain the efficiency of the AC unit.
4. Check that the condenser (unit outside) is level.  If the cement pad that the condenser sits on outside is not level the machine has to work harder.  That means you have to work harder to pay those energy bills!
5. Clean the condenser.  While you are outside making sure that the condenser is level, make sure it's free of any debris. Debris blocks air flow, making the unit work harder.

Looking for more energy saving tips? Check out IDT Energy's Facebook and IDT Energy's Pinterest.

Energy Generated by Green Slime

Growing in your fish tanks and slimming up the rocks at the beach lies your next energy source.  It's green, it's mean, it's algae! (No, the energy geeks have not lost their mind.)

An apartment building in Hamburg, Germany has developed a net-zero energy structure - derived from the building's 'siding.'  Taking three years and $3.4 million euros to build, it was designed for the International Building Exposition (IBA).

Alternative Energy - Algae via

From the IBA's website:

"The sides of the building that face the sun have a second outer shell that is set into the facade itself. Microalgae – tiny plants, most no larger than bacteria – are produced within this shell. They enable the house to supply its own energy. The only thing that the algae have to do is simply to grow. They are continuously supplied with liquid nutrients and carbon dioxide via a separate water circuit running through the facade  With the aid of sunlight, the algae can photosynthesis and grow."

Net-Zero Energy Via

So what do you think? Time to cover your home in algae and start farming your own energy?

No? Not ready for that? IDT Energy offers electricity from green energy sources if you think that might be a better option! 

Check out the IDT Energy Facebook and IDT Energy Pinterest for more crazy energy ideas!

Energy Supply - Changing the Form of Energy

Energy wakes you up in the morning, it keeps you going during the day, and sometimes it even keeps you up at night.  There are many different forms of energy - "all of which measure the ability of an object or system to do work on another object or system."

So what forms of energy is there?

• Chemical
• Electrical
• Gravitational
• Heat (thermal)
• Light
• Magnetic
• Mechanical
• Nuclear
• Sound

This energy is then harnessed and sold - companies like IDT Energy then buy it to supply to your homes!

Can you think of all the ways you use energy in a day?