This article explains topics to consider before putting in solar energy panels.  The author actually advocates taking a number of specific steps to reduce overall energy consumption before switching to solar energy.  Such steps include getting en energy efficiency audit, taking easy steps in the home to reduce energy consumption, installing a T.E.D. or similar device to monitor your usage, and more.

When the clocks change, you’ll have more daylight hours at your disposal.  Make sure to adjust any outdoor lighting timers so that you don’t have them running for more hours than necessary.  This will save you money and will extend the life of your light bulbs.

When considering lighting for your garden and porch, select low-voltage outdoor lighting systems. They are less expensive to buy and to operate and they are simple to install and use.

Your outdoor space doesn’t need to be lit like a landing pad.  Avoid having excessive lighting.  Your illumination only needs to be bright enough for safety and for relaxing.  Consider installing timers, as well, or make sure to only use your patio lights when you are sitting out there.

Today, in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, you have the power to choice your energy supplier.   During the last decade, the Public Service Commissions and State Legislatures, along with local utilities, have deregulated the energy market in these areas.  This allows for healthy competition among suppliers and allows consumers more choice.

The way that it works if you select to work with IDT Energy or another company is as follows.  IDT Energy becomes your supplier of electric and natural gas, while the delivery of this energy is still done through the utility company.  IDT Energy works in partnership with the local utility companies.  Historically, all electricity and natural gas were state-regulated and the price was fixed by them with the local utility company supplying both the supply and delivery.

This deregulation ensures that there is competition for your energy business, and therefore that there are more competitive prices.  This allows people in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to have control over the source of their natural gas and electricity.

One great idea is to have an exhaust fan in the kitchen that will blow hot air out of the space while you are cooking. This will add a lot of savings to your cooling costs. Try to take lukewarm showers and baths as well to avoid creating humid air, which holds in more heat.

Look into purchasing a dehumidifier for the home. This can decrease your electricity bill significantly whether you’re with IDT Energy or another company. Make sure, however, that the humidifier that you buy is the right size for your home.

Avoid creating more heat in the kitchen in a number of ways. Use your microwave or countertop appliances for cooking instead of the oven; enjoy grilling outdoors to keep the hot air away from the house as well.

The program is called Home Performance, and together with Energy Star the goal is to help New Yorker’s save as much as 40% of their energy costs during the winter months. The program is sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, (NYSERDA), which hopes to improve the energy efficiency of any style or size homes and save homeowners as much as $600 per year.

The program works by sending out a Building Performance Institute (BPI) Accredited Home Performance contractor who will assess the efficiency of the home by checking and measuring all aspects of its energy use, such as insulation, air infiltration levels, heating/cooling systems, appliances and lighting. The specialists will also check ovens, water heaters, and other devices and equipment to make sure that there are no dangerous leaks of carbon monoxide into the house.

At the completion of the assessment the BPI contractor will describe what improvements can be made, how much those improvements will cost, and what kinds of financial incentives exist and can be made available to homeowners to make those changes. Incentives might include low-interest financing and other means by which the needed improvements can be made without the homeowner incurring and undue burden.

“There’s no better time than now to change the way we use energy in our homes,” says Peter R. Smith, president of NYSERDA. “Energy costs continue to rise and conserving energy is essential. For some New Yorkers, that may mean building an energy-efficient home, making an existing home more efficient, or following simple energy savings tips. No matter what the measure, every bit counts.

IDT Energy is pleased to bring to the attention of energy consumers the variety of ways New Yorkers can take advantage of innovative programs which are available to help save money and protect our environment.

Change the washer from using hot water to cold water, if you can. This will reduce the energy bill, and will still clean the clothing quite well. Sort laundry so that you are drying heavy items together and light items together, thus requiring less drying time when you are only doing lighter materials. Clean the lint filter after each load of laundry, and check the dryer vent occasionally to make sure there are no blockages.

Make sure to use the dyer’s moister sensor. This detects when clothes are actually dry and will automatically switch the dryer off. And, of course, you can hang things out to dry rather than using the dryer at all!

Air dry dishes instead of using the heat drying cycle on your dishwasher – or simply wash dishes by hand. Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. This reduces water usage and is also better for your clothing. Replace regular bulbs with fluorescent bulbs to light your house. These bulbs use less energy and last longer than regular bulbs. Rather than taking baths, take showers to save on water.

Finally, buy only Energy Star products. They meet strict guidelines that are set by the US Department of Energy and that certainly help you to save.

The Energy Star rating indicates that a product has met strict energy efficiency criteria set by the US Environmental Protection Agency or the US Department of Energy. These products use less energy and save you money on your electricity bill. At the same time, they are good for the environment, as they cause less emission from power plants.

Some examples of Energy Star products and their benefits include:

1. Energy Star TVs use 3 watts or less when switched off, while standard TVs consume almost 6 watts.
2. Refrigerators that are Energy Star are 15% more efficient than what the federal efficiency standards require.
3. Light bulbs with the rating use two-thirds less energy than the standard bulb. They also have to meet additional operating and reliability guidelines.