13 Ways to Bust a Scallywag
By Betty, Energy Efficiency Enthusiast
I wasn’t born yesterday, so I’ve had my share of those pesky scallywags. My first home was so drafty, the critters had a kitchen party every night while I slept! But I’ve learned a thing or two over the years about how to conserve energy and save money, and now my home is energy efficient and scallywag-free. Heed my advice and yours could be too!
- 1 Wash your unmentionables in cold water.
And dry them on a clothesline! Nobody loves doing the laundry, but let me tell you – folding bed sheets is way more enjoyable when I know I’m saving energy and money. - 2 There’s no debate… Insulate!
A cold basement may be a great place to store your jams and jellies, but if it’s too cold down there it’ll cost you energy and money. Insulate your basement, and your attic too. And don’t forget – takeCHARGE has rebates to help you cover the cost. Some sweet. - 3 Stay out of that sink!
Many people think hand-washing your dishes is more energy efficient than using a dishwasher. That’s a total myth! Hand-washing actually uses more hot water! But don’t run the dishwasher until it’s full. - 4 Put on a sweater, sure.
Come on now, you don’t need to crank up the heat every time it’s a bit chilly. Show those scallywags who’s boss and put on a sweater. - 5 A second freezer is just silly.
I know a lot of Newfoundlanders with second fridges and freezers for their bottled beets and quartered moose. But unless that second fridge or freezer is full, it is costing you more than it’s worth. A plugged-in fridge or freezer costs you about $100 a year in electricity! - 6 Don’t be shady. Open your blinds!
We don’t get a shocking amount of sun here in Newfoundland, so when the sun is shining – use it! Open the shades or curtains to let the sun shine in through your windows and warm up your home, and close them at night to keep the heat in. Nature’s heater costs you nothing! - 7 Put a lid on it.
Saving energy is as simple as putting a lid on a pot. That’s not an old Newfoundland saying – it’s a fact. When you use a lid, it keeps the heat inside the pot, so your food cooks faster and you use less energy.
- 8 Use thermostats you can set and forget.
I got enough to remember before bed – the last thing I need to remember is to turn back the heat. My programmable thermostats automatically turn back the heat to 16 degrees at night, right after Jeopardy. So, no scallywags steal my heat while I’m asleep, or when I’m at bingo. - 9 Keep that oven door closed!
There’s a reason your oven door has a window and a light – so you can see your buns baking just fine without poking your head in the oven. Opening the door lets out the heat, which means your oven has to use more energy to replace that heat when you close the door again. - 10 Get the dirt out.
Scallywags just love dust because it clogs appliances and makes them not work as well as they should. So, be sure to dust your heaters and light bulbs, clean the filters in your dishwasher and washing machine, and vacuum the coils on the back of the fridge. - 11 Unplug, pretty please.
Some of my most prized possessions run on electricity. My TV. (I love Jeopardy.) My coffee maker. (I love a homemade cappuccino.) My computer. (I love Facebook.) But having them plugged in when I’m not using them only wastes electricity. So, I unplug them, easy as pie. - 12 Bye-bye, bubble baths.
I love a good steamy soak, but you know what I love more? Saving energy and money. So, I take short showers instead of baths because they use less hot water, which means they use less electricity. - 13 LEDs are the only bulbs worth talking about.
Yes, they cost more. But that’s because they last for years and years, so they cost less in the long run. I only have to change the bulbs in the ceiling every blue moon!