Spring is in the air and it’s time to start thinking about the coming warm weather. New York is an especially warm place in the summer, with high humidity and many days of unrelenting heat. Here are a few ideas from IDT Energy which will help you stay cool without blowing a fuse, or your bank account.

1.    Consider using ceiling fans whenever possible. Keep your home or apartment cool when you are not home by keeping windows and doors closed and shades drawn. A ceiling fan uses less energy than a light bulb.

2.    Keep your thermostat set about 5° higher for up to 20% savings on air conditioner cooling costs.

3.    Install a programmable thermostat which will turn off your cooling system when you are away, and power it up in honor of your imminent return. You can even control what temperature you want it to be at different times during the day.

4.    Be sure to buy an energy efficient air conditioner. Look for the Energy Star label and use up to 40% less energy.

5.    Do you shower more often in the summer? Most people do. Not to worry, just install low-flow shower heads and enjoy your shower just as much using up to 50% less water.

Everyone wants to save money, and when we conserve resources and use them in the most efficient possible way, we not only save money, but we protect our environment. IDT Energy has a few easy, smart suggestions for ways to save on the energy that you use around your house.

1.    Consider linking your electrical outlets to wall switches. Many electronic devices such as cell phone chargers, televisions and computers continue to use electricity even when they are not turned on or in stand-by mode. This is called “phantom power” which uses a small amount of power, but over time can begin to add up. It is estimated that phantom power might actually compose up to 10% of an average electric bill. One way to really turn off these devices so that they are not drawing any power is to link them to the wall switch, and turn them off at the wall. You can achieve the same goal by plugging these devices into power strips with switches that you turn off when not in use.

2.    Install a programmable thermostat. For about $50 you can save upwards of $150 per year by having your heating and cooling systems turn on only when you are at home. The thermostat will also lower the power output when the heating/cooling system is not needed as much, such as when you are asleep, automatically.

3.    Switch to CFLs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs use around 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs, and can last up to 10 times longer. This converts to an estimated $30 saved in the cost of electricity over the lifetime of the bulb. Go visit the IDT Energy Store for a nice selection of CFLs for your home and office.

Originally scheduled to last from February 12, 2010 until February 21st, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority decided to extend the “Great Appliance Swap Out” program until the funding runs out. The program was endowed with $17 million in order to give rebates to consumers who purchase energy-efficient appliances including refrigerators, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers. So far the NYSERDA has distributed up to $555 rebate per purchase amounting to over $7.7 million in rebates so far. New Yorkers can continue benefiting from this unique program until all the funding is gone.