In our continuing discussion of electrical outlet safety awareness IDT Energy is taking this opportunity to point out potential hazards at electrical outlets so that consumers can take the actions necessary to prevent accidents.
Intense and dangerous electrical arcing can result from broken faceplates on the outlet. In one case a woman received severe burns when she plugged in a floor lamp into and outlet whose plastic faceplate was broken, allowing the prongs of the plug to bridge from the contacts to the grounded strap.
When an outlet is used with appliances that are frequently plugged and unplugged repeatedly, such as kitchen appliances that are stored away when not in use, like mixers, beaters, juicers, and food processors, the outlet can deteriorate and become hazardous. The plug may begin to fit loosely into the outlet causing the plug to slip out of the outlet either partially or completely with just slight movement of the cord. This situation is a fire hazard, and if there is a curtain or other fabric close by, the danger is even greater.
Now that summer is over and the kids are back to school, IDT Energy wants parents to be aware of the basic safety rules when using electricity, electrical appliances and electric outlets.
A particular point of interest as far as safety is concerned is electrical outlets. These amazing household objects bring essential electricity into our homes, and make modern life possible.
We should never take for granted the potential for harm these simple receptacles present. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 3,900 injuries a year which required hospital emergency room visits are connected to the use of electrical outlets.
The most common accident is caused when a child puts a small metal object, such as a pin, key, or something else, into the outlet. As a result the child receives a burn or electric shock to his hand or finger. These types of accidents account for about one third of mishaps with outlets.
Fires can also begin at the electric receptacle. The CPSC says that there are about 5,300 fires in which electrical outlets play a role. As a result of these fires each year about 40 people die and about 110 people are injured.
The production of electricity is the primary cause of industrial air pollution in the U.S. The majority of the electricity we use today comes from coal, nuclear and other non-renewable power plants, hurting our environment on land, in water and air.
In addition, studies have shown that the emissions of CO2 into the environment are causing global climate change, with disastrous long-term results.
Renewable energy, such as solar and wind power do not release CO2, or other greenhouse gasses into the environment. Not only that, but they are found in large amounts just about everywhere and are constantly being replenished in a way that keeps pace with consumption. Fossil fuels and natural gas are found in limited quantities, and we are using them at a pace in which their natural production could never keep up. Therefore, eventually they will run out.
When looked at from this perspective it is easy to see why we should now begin the process of increasing our use of renewable energy resources, for ourselves and for future generations.
As concerned citizens you want to do what is best for the environment so that the world will be a great place to live not just for your but for your children and their children. And as a consumer, you want to know that the products and services you are purchasing are not sacrificing quality or dependability for a promise of a better environment that perhaps they cant deliver.
That is where Green-e comes in. As the country’s leading independent certification program as well as verification for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and renewable energy Green-e makes sure you get what you are promised.
There are two types of certification programs. Green-e Climate was begun in 2007 as a voluntary certification program setting standards for consumer protection and environmental integrity for the reduction of GHG emissions reductions which are sold in the voluntary market.
Green-e Energy is an independent certification program and verification program for renewable energy, leading the nation in this endeavor.
Green-e Marketplace allows companies that have purchased renewable energy in qualifying amounts and have also passed verification standard to display the logo of Green-e.
IDT Energy takes you for a visit to the largest wind farm in the world. Learn about the potential wind has for being an important source of electricity in the not so distant future.
Among the renewable energy sources which IDT Energy, as well as other ESCOs use to produce electricity are solar and wind power. Although clean and renewable, one of their drawbacks is that they are not always available. At night, of course, there is no sun shine, and the wind is also subject to times when it just isn’t there.
One of the goals of the research into making these green technologies more useful for our modern way of life is to store the renewable resource for use when the resource takes a break.
One way may be with a “gravel battery”, a new technology being developed by Isentropic, a five-man company in Cambridge. This is how it works. An electric current goes to a heat pump, a similar but bigger type of “compressor” used by your refrigerator to keep your food cold. The heat pump in your fridge takes the electricity to create a “heat split” which chills the inside of the fridge and heats the back.
The system Isentropic is developing uses a pump to heat argon gas to 500 degrees centigrade on one side and cooling the other side down to -150 degrees centigrade. The cold and hot gas is then passed through two enormous gravel tanks, heating one tank and cooling the other. The temperature difference in the gravel is how the power is stored.
When the power is needed the process is instantly reversed, causing the heat pump to work like an engine. When the extreme temperature differences are brought together, the engine turns, powers a generator, and creates electricity.
There are about 20 different ESCOs in New York City for customers to choose from, in addition to having Con Edison supply power, as in the past. During the first phase of the multi-phased march towards complete de-regulation which began in June of 1998, almost 76,000 customers from New York City and Westchester County chose an ESCO in place of Con Ed as suppliers of their electricity. However there was a 62,000 limit on the number of customers who were allowed to make the switch, and that was the number that were picked at random and actually were signed up for the ESCO of their choice during phase one.
The main motivating factor that led New York State to initiate a phased de-regulation program was to decrease costs of electricity and natural gas by increasing competition in the marketplace. The Public Service Commission (PCS) of New York State, which is responsible for the enactment of the legislation that led to de-regulation expected to see stimulation in economic growth, lowering of prices and increased choices for consumers.
Have these goals been met?
Always with its customers in mind, IDT Energy has a program designed to save energy consumers in New York even more money. By joining IDT Energy’s “Switch and Save” program you can save as much as 7% on delivery of electricity and natural gas because you are exempt for the taxes levied on those services.
Customers signed up for the “Switch and Save” program also receive a credit of up to $.004 per KWH of electricity and $.024 credit for each therm of natural gas.
Among the reasons to switch to IDT Energy and save on your electricity and natural gas bill are:
1. Receive highly competitive rates as well as seasonal savings on the supply of electricity and natural gas for both your home and/or company.
2. The local utility company you are using now will continue to deliver your energy, bill you, read your meter and take of any problems you may have-no need to interrupt service in any way.
3. There are absolutely no sign-up fees, cancellation fees nor are you forced to commit to the program for any length of time.
4. Convenient hours for our customers- The IDT Energy customer hotline is open 7 days a week from 7:30am until 7:30pm
These are just some of the reasons to make IDT Energy your supplier of natural gas and electricity.
IDT Energy understands that New Yorkers are savvy shoppers and concerned citizens. As such we know you want to stay informed about what purchases you can make which will help save not only on your bills but will also benefit the environment. The New York State Energy Research and Development Association (NYSRDA) educates and promotes with specially designed programs ways for New Yorkers to save money, energy and the environment.
By looking for the Energy Star label on appliances and other products consumers can have confidence that their purchase is energy efficient and that they will save money in the long run. Their purchase will also be environmentally friendly.
Sometimes products with the Energy Star may cost more than other products, but you can rest assured that soon the savings you will experience on your utility bills will more than pay for the initial higher purchase price.
