Electric Myths Debunked by IDT Energy

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

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

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

Groundhog Says More Winter on the Way

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

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

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

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

Thermostat Use Tips

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

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

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

Get More From Your Washer

While we are on the subject of dryers, IDT Energy believes that there are more things that can be done to cut your laundry bill, which involves investing money, but in the long run will be well worth it.

Whenever possible consider purchasing an Energy Star washing machine. These highly efficient appliances use up to 50% less energy and 40% less water per each load. You can expect to save as much as $113 in a year.

Look for a great little extra with your new washer, a mini-basket. This basket fits over the agitator and is capable of handling extremely small loads of laundry in a water use efficient manner.

Choose a washing machine which suits your needs and that of your family. A young couple with no children does not need the same size washer as a large family with four or five children. Energy Star washers come in many sizes so you can pick the most energy efficient washer for you.

Dryer Tips from IDT Energy

You’re probably just “do your laundry” without even realizing that this simple activity is just bursting with ways it can be done more energy efficiently. Well, here are some easy things you can start to do immediately, and for free, which will help you save money on your laundry bill.

• Do you always clean the lint filter on the dryer before starting a new load? Do it! Your dryer works much more efficiently when that little lint catcher is clean.

• Does your dryer have a moisture sensor which automatically knows when the clothes inside are dry? If so, then use it. This is another way to let the machine do what it was designed to do at its best. It is estimated that using this setting can save 5% on your electric bill.

• Always dry clothes of similar types together. For instance, light, silky blouses or permanent press shirts should not be dried with towels. Do those bulky, hard to dry towels by themselves. Also denim jeans, and other heavy items should go together, and easy to dry, easily wrinkled garments should also be together.

• Keep the exhaust pipe clean. If it’s stuffed with lint the dryer can’t work at its peak efficiency, and in the worst case it could be a fire hazard.

• What, it’s a sunny, warm day and you’re using your dryer? Tsk, tsk. Line drying is a great way to use solar power without the aid of an expensive appliance. All you need is a rope and some clothespins. Get out there and start hanging those clothes!


IDT Energy is here to help you save money while saving energy.

Energy Effeciency From IDT Energy

Did you know that the IDT Energy web site has a resource center with lots and lots of useful information to help you save energy, and in the process save money, too.

For instance, I came across a really handy page which claims to be “the first web-based do-it-yourself energy audit tool.

All you need to do is enter your zip code into a box on the home page, and then you are transported to another page which shows a bar-graph comparing how much money is spent on energy in an average home in the zip code you selected, compared to the amount spent on energy to run a home which is energy efficient.

The bar-graphs divide the expenses into costs for heating, cooling, water heating, major appliances, lighting and small appliances.

Then you can customize the answers to fit your exact situation by filling in a questionnaire which can help you decide if you should upgrade by giving you how much it will cost and how much you can expect to save.

A pretty neat tool, I think. Go give it a try and see if you could be saving oodles of money on your energy bill.

Winter is Coming: IDT Energy Says Its Time to Get Ready

Here we are watching the days shorten, leaves fall, sun loose some of its warm luster and taking our winter things out of mothballs. IDT Energy is getting ready for winter by sending you some simple but practical and effective ideas to save money and energy while staying toasty warm all winter.

1. If you have a forced-air HVAC heating system then it most likely has a simple filter in the ducts near the furnace. It is important to change this filter every few months to maintain efficient and clean operation. When your furnace is working overtime during the winter this bit of maintenance can become an extremely important to lower your energy bill. The filters are inexpensive and pay for themselves in energy savings in no time.

2. Does your home leak some of the warm air that you spent so much money to heat? Seal up those leaks in your walls and windows, even small ones, with weather-stripping, caulk and other insulating materials, and you will find not only is your house warmer, but your energy bill is also lower.

3. Maybe it’s time for a new furnace? If it’s as old as or older than your teenage children it might save you lots of money to replace it with a new “Energy Star” furnace. The sooner you begin saving on your energy bill, the sooner your new furnace will pay for itself and start saving you lots of money.

4. Ready to change your light bulbs? We use more artificial light in the winter. The more efficient the bulbs you use, the less energy you use and the more money you save. Consider switching to compact fluorescent bulbs for the most efficient artificial lighting solution.

Winter in New York Savings Ideas from IDT Energy

New York in the winter can be fun and exciting. It can also be cold, and a challenge to stay warm within a budget. IDT Energy has some simple tips to keep you warm and cozy, and your pockets full.

1. Put a layer of shrink wrap, plastic film, over your windows. Fast, cheap and effective, adding this extra thermal layer helps keep the warm air in and the cold air out. The tools and supplies you need to do this yourself are easily available at most hardware stores, and the application can be done yourself. Covering your window in plastic creates an air pocket which insulates but at the same time allows the sun to shine in.

2. Because we feel colder in the winter there is a tendency to use more hot water. Our hot showers are a tad longer; we wash hands more often with hot water just to warm up. To balance out this extra hot water use it is a good idea to adjust the setting on the hot water heater. You might be able to lower the temperature even 20 degrees and maintain a high comfort level. Why not leave the temperature at this level during the summer as well? Expect your bill to heat hot water to go down about 10%.

3. If you have a southern exposure, take advantage of all the free solar energy right outside your windows. Pull open the drapes and let the ultimate heat source warm up your cold bones.

IDT Energy Presents: Stay Warm in Winter Without Busting the Bank

Everyone loves winter in New York, but it can be a challenge to your budget to keep warm all winter. IDT Energy has some easy to implement energy saving ideas to get you and your bank account comfortable through the winter.

1. Because most homes are heated with appliances that are fuel-fired, the greatest cost comes at start-up and shut-down. A programmable thermostat helps you maintain constant temperatures or gradual increase and decrease of temperatures. Set to cooler temperatures at night, and begin heating even before you wake up. You will be warmer during the day and save money too. For the most efficient heating, get a programmable thermostat.

2. Set your thermostat to a lower temperature. You won’t feel the difference of just a few degrees, but you will notice it in your monthly fuel bill, which will be substantially lower. Each degree Fahrenheit that you lower the thermostat you can expect a 3% savings on your energy bill. A comfortable daytime temperature for your thermostat is 68 degrees, and about 5-8 degrees less at night during sleep. When spring comes around again you’ll be glad for the money you saved.

3. Did you know that warm air rises and cold air sinks? You can use this principle to circulate the warm air that is stuck to your ceiling down to ground level, by reversing the direction on your ceiling fans. Most fans have a switch to reverse the direction it spins. In the summer make sure the lower part of the paddle goes first around the fan to draw the air up. In the winter flip the switch to push the warm air down.

Save Money and Energy with the Energy Star

At IDT Energy we are trying to help you to save what is precious, the earth and your money.
Energy is something we pay dearly for, and when you save it, you save money.

Looking for the Energy Star on appliances and light bulbs can help you save.

It’s a simple thing to switch your light bulbs to compact flourescent bulbs, with little cost involved.

At a maximum price of between four and nine dollars, changing light bulbs is not a big investment.
In no time at all the CFLs will have paid for themselves.

They continue to save you money for as long as they last, which should be much longer than incandescent bulbs.