Turn Off the Computer!

An easy way to save money on one’s IDT Energy or other utility service provider bill is by simply turning off the computer.  In fact, neglecting to do so is a true waste of energy.  One way to make this easier is with the EcoButton which is plugged into a USB drive.  Whenever you leave your computer, press the button, which puts the computer into energy-saving mode.  When you return, press it again and the computer resumes in the same place it was left.  You are unlikely to forget, as the button is very bright and right next to the computer. It’s very good for people who are multitasking and often come and go with their computer.

The other cool thing about the EcoButton is that it estimates the average annual electricity savings when used efficiently, will be approximately $60, giving one a 500% return on their investment in the first year alone.  Indeed, it is able to calculate the amount of energy saved every time it is used so that one can actually see how much money they are saving with every button press, giving them immediate gratification.

Energy-Saving Tips for the Home

There are many ways for to save money on your IDT Energy (or other utility service provider) bills. This can be done by looking around the house and following some simple tips. In the kitchen, for example, there are many ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’. If you have a dishwasher, don’t pre-wash your dishes. Too many people end up basically doing their dishes twice which is both an energy- and time-killer. Today, with dishwashers such as TrueSteam technology from LG, it is absolutely unnecessary to pre-wash dishes since they use high-pressure steam particles to remove food residue. Since this also has an easy rack system which enables the interior to be custom-tailored to your requirements, it might be worth making the investment.

Next, assess your laundry situation. The US Department of Energy has found that Americans do an average of 7 ½ loads of laundry each week. Consider how some of these can be eliminated; sometimes people just put clothing into the laundry hamper because they don’t want to fold it up and put it away again. Is an item of clothing really dirty and in need of a wash after it has been worn for an hour or so during a non-active period? Think about it and you could make significant savings on the time and energy you spend on your laundry each week.