Energy conservation can result in increased financial capital, environmental quality, national security, personal security, and human comfort.[citation needed] Individuals and organizations that are direct consumers of energy choose to conserve energy to reduce energy costs and promote economic security. Industrial and commercial users can increase energy use efficiency to maximize profit.”

Although it may sound complicated, today’s energy companies like IDT Energy offer personalized help and advice when it comes to smart energy use. By consulting with your energy provider, you can easily protect the environment while significantly lowering your bills at the same time!

In order to understand deregulation it is important to know that energy service has two components, the supply of the energy and its delivery.  Deregulation gave consumers the power to choose their energy supplier, while the delivery of the energy remained within the purview of the established and regulated utilities. This means that today, for many New Yorkers, although Con Edison is still the company that delivers their power, the supplier of energy is determined by the consumer.

IDT Energy is a qualified supplier of energy to the people of New York, and in partnership with local utility companies, which in some cases, but not all, is Con Ed, can supply residents with the energy they need at competitive prices and excellent service.

Although the local utility still delivers the electricity and gas to its customers, consumers have the right to pick the supplier which meets their needs best, helping to drive down prices and improve quality of service. There is no need to do anything other than pick up the phone to make the switch to IDT Energy, or any other supplier of electricity and gas which services your area.

In the case of electricity there are many methods of production. Electricity can be made at hydroelectric power stations, by solar or wind energy, by burning fossil fuels, and other methods. In most cases, with the notable exception of solar power, the primary energy source must somehow cause a generator to rotate, where mechanical energy is turned into electrical energy. At a hydroelectric plant the rushing water turns the generator using the force of gravity which pulls the water down, causing the turbine to rotate and the generator to turn. Other power plants use the same principles but using different sources of energy.

If certain rooms are more crowded or hot, try adding a ceiling fan to go with your air conditioning, as it will allow you to raise the thermostat by at least 4 degrees with no discomfort. In general, it is recommended to install a programmable thermostat which can adjust the temperature according to your schedule.

1. Keep your freezer at -18 degrees Celsius.  For each degree that you go lower than this, the freezer uses 2% more electricity.
2. Keep that freezer stocked!  A full freezer actually operates more efficiently than does an empty one.
3. Make sure that the door is sealed tightly and securely.
4. Keep a space of 5cm around your freezer on all sides so that the heat can circulate away from the compressor and condensing coil.
5. If you’re in the market for a new freezer, shop for one that is ENERGY STAR qualified or for a smaller chest freezer.

Finally, make sure to do proper maintenance on your freezer. This means that it needs annual cleaning and defrosting.  If, prior to the annual cleaning, you see that ice is building up on the inside of the unit to more than ¼ inch, you should also defrost it at that time.

For example, many people run their dishwasher multiple times every day. It would be better to wait until the end of the day, and run it only once. If you need to reuse specific dishes throughout the day, wash those by hand. Electricity demand is less after 8 o’clock pm, so run the dishwasher then. Another good way to conserve energy is to use the air-dry setting, or, even better, leave the door open and let the dishes dry naturally. If you run the wash after 8 pm, the dishes can be left to dry this way overnight. It is also unnecessary to rinse dishes off in the sink before putting them in the washer. Cleaning the drains and filters on a regular basis, however, is highly recommended, as it will improve the performance of the dishwasher, and make it last longer.

If you are purchasing a new dishwasher, look for one that has the short-cycle, or econowash qualities.

The quoted energy rates from a given company may exclude certain components that could actually cause a higher final cost.  For instance, the energy rates may exclude rate components like line losses, ancillary services, congestion, capacity and grow receipts taxes. When you look at the rates on paper, it may appear that one company offers their rate for less, when really their quote doesn’t include all of the necessary component.

As a buyer, you need to be aware of all of the available product types and to make sure that you evaluate energy quotes with an accurate analysis.  Read contracts carefully and ask questions about the price components.  Make sure to ask your supplier, broker or consultant to show you the pricing section of the contract and to explain which components are included or excluded.

In addition, if you are environmentally conscious, this news means that you’ll have more of a say about the energy supplier that  you use, and you can select to use a supplier that does more to protect the environment.

Choice is always a positive force.  New Jersey is proud to allow its citizens to select IDT Energy, PSE&G or one of the many other suppliers.