Natural Gas Usage Safety Tips from IDT Energy

IDT Energy, in addition to supplying consumers with electricity also supplies natural gas. Here are a few useful safety tips when getting the most out of your natural gas.

1. Always install gas appliances in well ventilated areas, and be sure the area remains well ventilated.

2. Keep flammable products such as sprays or oils based items far from gas appliances.

3. Never leave pots cooking on your gas stove top unattended.

4. When lighting your oven check for a gas smell before lighting the match.

5. When using your oven’s grill, leave the door slightly open.

6. If you suspect a gas leak, turn off the gas valve, call your local utility for help, open all your windows and doors, do not light matches or switch on or off any light switches or any other type of switches.

More Easy and Fast Tips to Save Around the House

Bathroom
Toilet: Use the half-flush feature to save a lot of water with each use.

Instant Water Heater: Turn it on only right before use, and don’t forget to turn it off when you are done.

Sink: Use a tumbler to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth, or for shaving.

Backyard/Service Porch
Plants: Water plants with the water you already used to wash your vegetables.

Backyard Tap: Keep it turned off when not in use, and be sure it is tight to prevent drips or leakage.

Washing Machine: A machine using 300 watts consumes about 6.86¢ of electricity per hour of use. Run machine for fully loaded runs whenever possible.

Quick Money Saving Tips Around the House

In the Living Room
Fan: A 75 watt fan costs about 1.72¢ per hour of use. Turn if off when you are not in the room.

Television: Your TV consumes about 4.57¢ each hour that it is on. Remember to close down when not watching.

Lamps: Each 40watt lamp uses 0.91¢ every hour. Try the new energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs or halogen bulbs to save energy and money.

Bedroom
Spit Unit Air Conditioner: A 750 watt unit costs about 17.15¢ to use every hour. Keeping the filters clean and turning off when not in use can save a lot of energy.

Kitchen
Refrigerator: A refrigerator with a nominal rating of 200 watts uses electricity at a rate of 4.57¢ per hour. Choose a new fridge carefully so that you get the right size for your family. Check all the gaskets and hinges for leakage, and keep the thermostat set to the right temperature.

Stove top: Boil water or cook food whenever possible with the lid on top of the pot. Water boils faster and food cooks more efficiently with the lid on. Once food has boiled keep on simmer to use minimum amount of energy to cook food.

Sink: Save water by washing veggies and fruit in a sink filled with water instead of continuously running the water.

Countertop: Let frozen foods defrost on the countertop instead of using warm water or the microwave.

IDT Energy Brings Clarity to Electric Usage

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

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

Electric Myths Debunked by IDT Energy

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

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

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

Groundhog Says More Winter on the Way

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

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

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

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

Thermostat Use Tips

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

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

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

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.