NY Prize Awards Development of Community Microgrids

Governor Andrew Cuomo, May 26, 2014. Credit: Diana Robinson

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 NY Prize, 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.

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.

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.

“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. 

NJ Business - Energy Savings for Small Business

IDT Energy's CEO, Geoffrey Rochwarger, recently spoke with NJ Business Magazine on how small businesses can save money on energy. 

"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. "

Read the full article. 

Read Your Labels to Get the Most from Your Purchases

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.

“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.

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.

Reward 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!

IDT Energy Rewards

IDT Energy customers can register online at www.IDTEnergyRewards.com 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!

IDT Energy Refer-A-Friend

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 www.IDTEnergyFriends.com. 

IDT Energy Home Services

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 www.IDTEnergyHomeServices.com.

LifeLock Discount

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.  Take advantage today!

Of course our work is not done! Stay tuned as we have some exciting new programs and discounts for our customers coming in 2015!

Saving Energy in the Winter Can be Easier, and Cheaper, Than You Think

New York in Winter:Photo by  GK tramrunner

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.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

IDT 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!

What does this mean for our customers?
The SmartBudget rate guarantees your electric supply rate for 12 months. That means there are NO rate spikes or surprises.

Am I locked in to a contract for a year?
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.

Is there an enrollment fee?
Just like our variable, SmartFlex rate there are no enrollments fees, up-front costs or deposits.

What is the rate for my utility?
Check out the rate available in your area here!

I looked at my utility and only the SmartFlex rate was offered.
We are working to add more utilities to the SmartBudget program. Take advantage of the flexibility that the SmartFlex offers plus all of the added benefits that IDT Energy offers all of it's customers.

I signed up for IDT Energy - can I take advantage of the added benefits?
Yes! Signup for the IDT Energy Rewards Program and earn points to redeem for all different things including games and gift cards! PLUS IDT Energy offers discounts on home warranty and LifeLock. Our energy experts are working diligently to add more partner programs that offer more discounts and added value to our customers.

Thanksgiving Energy Saving Tips

Via

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:

1. 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.
2. Use LED lighting if you're decorating with holiday lights already. It's more energy efficient
3. Turn down your house thermostat! You’ll likely be pumping plenty of extra heat out of the kitchen to make up for the difference.
4. 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.
5. Don’t worry about pre-heating the oven, it’s not necessary for a long, slow cook like a turkey.
6. 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.
7. Check to see if your oven has a convection feature; it will cook more quickly and it is more energy efficient.
8. Cook on a gas grill instead of the oven. They are clean burning and energy efficient. 
9. Let your leftovers cool before you store them, so your refrigerator doesn't have to work as hard to cool the items. 
10. 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.

Ten Amazing Things to Make Using Duct Tape

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.

• 1.      Hammock- Using several colors of duct tape and two wooden dowels, make your own colorful hammock.

• 2.      Duct Tape Typhoon Pants- Stay dry this rainy season with homemade waterproof pants.

• 3.      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.

• 4.      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.

• 5.      Batman Mask- Sorry its already too late for this Halloween, but you can create a wonderful Batman mask and be ready for next year.

Pinching Your Pennies? Make a Battery Out of Them!

So this type of project might not give you free energy, 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.

Supplies:

• 10 Pennies (1983 or older)
• Paper towels, cardboard or other absorbent material
• Lemon juice (salt or vinegar works too)
• Sand paper
• Aluminum foil
• LED

How To:

1. Sand down one side the pennies to remove the copper outer core and reveal the inner zinc.
2. Cut the paper towels to be the same size and shape of the pennies.
3. Soak the paper towel in the lemon juice and blot dry so liquid is not dripping. 
4. 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. 
5. Wrap your new battery cell in electrical tape. Make sure it is air tight to prevent the paper towels from drying to quickly. 
6. Connect an LED light bulb (around 6 volts) to the pennies. 
7. Light it up! It should stay lite for about 2 weeks. Add more pennies and it should stay lite longer.

Want some history on batteries to go along with? Check this out!

Weather-stripping: A Great Solution to a Common Problem

Adding weather stripping is a great solution for those pesky drafts

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.

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.

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.

There is a large selection of weather stripping types to choose from:

• Tension seal
• Felt
• Reinforced foam
• Tape
• Rolled or reinforced vinyl
• Door sweep
• Magnetic
• Tubular rubber and vinyl
• Reinforced silicone
• Door shoe
• Bulb threshold
• “Frost-brake” threshold
• Fin seal
• Interlocking metal channels