According to many electric companies, such as IDT Energy, proper use of your appliances can lower your electricity bill. Commonly used appliances, like ovens or stoves, can consume a lot of power every day, and so it is important to use them correctly. Be sure to use pots that are compatible with the stovetop’s size, and keep them covered at all times while cooking. Be sure to use tops that fit tightly. If you need only to boil water, consider using an electric kettle, and only the required amount of water.

Preheat the oven for a short amount of time or not at all- only baking truly requires this, and use the window to inspect the food while it is in the oven. Every time the door is opened 20% of the heat is lost.  If you plan on using the self-clean feature, use it immediately after use of the oven so that it uses less power.  If you want to reheat food, you may want to do so in a microwave or toaster, as they require much less power than an oven.

One question that people often ask when they are evaluating their energy costs and home improvement ideas is whether or not they should purchase a storm door.  Storm doors are great investments if your existing door is old but still in good condition.  For newer, insulated doors, however, they are usually not worth the expense since they won’t actually help you to save more energy.

If your exterior door already gets a few hours of direct sunlight a day, don’t add a glass storm door.  This will trap too much heat against the entry door and could damage it.  High quality storm doors use low-emissivity glass or glazing.  These doors, in general, are made of aluminum, steel, fiberglass or wood, with the wood storm doors requiring the most maintenance.  Many metal-framed storm doors have foam insulation within their frames.

Another option if you are considering purchasing a storm door is to purchase insulated drapes instead.  This is particularly useful for patio doors.

Certainly, these are important considerations to help with your home energy costs.  Find out about other ways to save by switching suppliers to IDT Energy or another company and by reading up on other home improvement ideas.

Certainly, the more soundly built your home is, and the better your windows are, the less energy you will lose in unnecessary ways.  If you are in the market for new windows, here are some suggestions that should help you with your purchase.  Whether you get your energy from IDT Energy or from another source, these tips can save you money in the long run.

When you look for new windows, shop for ENERGY STAR qualified models.  Look into purchasing “Low-E” (low emissivity) glass and argon-glass between the panes.  These materials work brilliantly to reflect furnace heat right back into the home and to let sunlight in while filtering out ultraviolet rays.

Look for windows that have an energy rating of -11 or better if you’re looking for windows that open and +2 or better for fixed windows. Similarly, the U-value of the windows tells you a great deal about their insulation.  If you live in a cold climate, find a U-value of .35 or below.

Finally, rather than looking for sliding windows, find casement-style windows since they offer better air filtration and durability.