Consumer Corner

7 Ways to Reduce Energy Bills During Summer Heat

The summer is when we see homeowners strategizing about how to keep their homes cool and comfortable while sticking to their household budgets,

Published

2 years ago

June 6, 2024

Daily News Staff

(Family Features) With temperatures forecasted to run at least 2 degrees higher than historical averages across more than half the country, according to projections from AccuWeather, heat waves may lead to soaring air-conditioning bills this summer.

“The summer is when we see homeowners strategizing about how to keep their homes cool and comfortable while sticking to their household budgets,” said Michael Williford, HVAC service manager at Hiller Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. “We work with customers to keep their current HVAC systems running smoothly or upgrade to more efficient systems, which can make a huge difference in their utility bills. In addition, there are many other ways homeowners can keep their energy costs down during the hot summer months.”

Consider these smart, practical, cost-cutting tips for dialing down your energy bills.

Service HVAC Systems Regularly
17108 detail image embed1 To ensure the best cooling performance and efficiency possible, find a licensed contractor to keep your heating and cooling system well-maintained and serviced throughout the year. There are some tasks many homeowners can handle on their own, like keeping outdoor units free of debris and changing air filters. However, bringing in a professional 1-2 times a year for maintenance and to ensure proper function of ductwork and electrical components is also essential.

Use Appliances During Non-Peak Hours
Rather than using stoves, ovens and clothing dryers in the afternoon hours, consider doing so early in the morning or late in the evening. Peak time for many electricity providers is noon-6 p.m., meaning using appliances that heat up your home outside of this timeframe when conventional heating and cooling systems are likely running full throttle can help lower energy costs.

Upgrade Your Systems to an Energy-Saving Heat Pump
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentivizes homeowners who opt for energy-efficient HVAC upgrades, including qualified heat pumps, which can boost seasonal energy efficiency ratios and increase efficiencies. For example, Mitsubishi Electric heat pumps provide more energy-efficient cooling that may equal cost and energy savings as well as a reduced carbon footprint for homeowners. These systems are equipped with inverter or variable-speed technology that allows systems to automatically ramp up or down the required amount of energy depending on the room’s capacity. Although annual savings vary, some homeowners can save as much as $1,000 per year by switching to an all-electric heat pump.

Fire Up the Grill
When temperatures soar, use the grill for cooking to help lower energy usage and save on air-conditioning costs. Alternatively, toaster ovens, air fryers and slow cookers use less energy than larger conventional stoves or ovens. Get creative by cooking a pizza in a chiminea or smoking favorite meats as alternatives to using your oven.

Stop Cooling Empty Rooms
One mistake many homeowners make is forgetting to adjust their temperature settings when leaving the house. Whether you’re headed to the beach for the weekend or just headed to work for the day, blasting the air conditioner in an empty house can result in unnecessarily high utility bills. Multi-zone, all-electric heat pumps like those from Mitsubishi Electric allow homeowners to set the comfort level and adjust the temperature in each room, so you don’t have to waste energy cooling unoccupied rooms. With a smartphone app, you can even adjust the settings remotely.

Install a Smart Electric Panel
Installing a smart electrical panel alongside an all-electric heat pump enables homeowners to monitor and control energy consumption on-site or remotely using a smartphone for better overall efficiency and utility cost savings.

Harness the Sun’s Energy with Solar Panels
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, the amount of sunlight that strikes the Earth’s surface in 90 minutes could power the world’s total energy usage for a full year. Investing in solar panels can help decrease energy bills and increase your home’s sustainability. Additionally, some utility providers and government entities, including the IRA, offer incentives to help reduce installation costs. Plus, solar-sourced power pairs well with all-climate heat pumps, which require minimal electricity to operate.

Find more ideas to dial down energy usage (and bills) this summer at MitsubishiComfort.com.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

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home improvement

5 Tips for Gardening with Kids

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2026

Daily News Staff

5 Tips for Gardening with Kids

(Feature Impact) Gardening is a simple way to bring families together while simultaneously teaching kids hands-on lessons about nature, responsibility and healthy living. Whether you have a backyard garden, a few containers on the patio or are looking for a starting point, getting your children involved in planting and caring for plants can spark curiosity and create lasting memories.

To get started, consider these family-friendly tips:

Start Small

Begin with a manageable project, such as a few containers, a small garden bed or a single planter box. This helps keep the experience fun rather than overwhelming and allows children to see progress quickly.

Let Kids Choose the Plants

Giving your children a say in what goes into the garden can help build excitement and a sense of ownership. Ask them to pick a few colorful fruits, vegetables or flowers that grow quickly, such as sunflowers, cherry tomatoes, mint, sugar snap peas or marigolds.

Give Them Their Own Space

Kids feel proud when they have something that’s their own. Consider assigning each child a small plot, container or row in the garden. Let them be responsible for watering, planting and checking on their plants.

Use Kid-Sized Tools

Little hands typically work best with tools designed just for them. Small watering cans, lightweight trowels and child-sized gloves help kids participate safely and comfortably.

Encourage Creativity

Gardens don’t have to be all work. Add some fun to the process by adding artistic touches. Projects such as decorating pots, painting plant markers or creating a fairy or butterfly garden can keep imaginations engaged as well.

From the first tiny sprout to the final harvest, find more family-friendly gardening advice at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

eLivingtoday.com

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Automotive

Nissan’s New Strategy: Innovation Meets Consolidation in a Changing Auto Market

Nissan’s New Strategy: Nissan is reshaping its lineup with fewer models, more hybrid technology, and smarter vehicles. Here’s what’s staying, what’s changing, and what it means for drivers.

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2026

Rod Washington

Nissan’s New Strategy

As the global auto industry pivots toward electrification and smarter technology, Nissan is taking a more measured approach—introducing new innovations while trimming its lineup to focus on core models that drive sales and long-term value.

🚗 A Leaner, More Focused Nissan

In recent years, Nissan has begun reshaping its global strategy, reducing the total number of models while strengthening key vehicles across major segments. The goal is clear: prioritize profitability, streamline production, and invest in technology where it matters most.

Rather than flooding the market with new nameplates, Nissan is concentrating on a smaller, more competitive lineup—particularly in high-demand categories like SUVs and crossovers.

Nissan’s New Strategy Explained: Fewer Cars, More Hybrids, Smarter SUVs

🔋 Innovation Where It Counts

Hybrid Technology Takes Center Stage

One of Nissan’s most important developments is its e-POWER hybrid system, which is set to debut more broadly in the U.S., particularly in the next-generation Nissan Rogue.

Unlike traditional hybrids, e-POWER uses a gasoline engine solely to generate electricity, while the wheels are driven by an electric motor. The result is a driving experience that feels closer to an EV—without requiring a charging station.

This technology reflects a growing industry reality: while electric vehicles are expanding, hybrids are emerging as a practical bridge for many consumers.

EV Evolution, Not Explosion

Nissan isn’t abandoning electric vehicles—it’s refining its approach.

The iconic Nissan LEAF is expected to return in a redesigned, crossover-style format, aimed at improving range, comfort, and mainstream appeal. However, Nissan is avoiding an aggressive all-electric push in favor of a balanced portfolio that includes gas, hybrid, and EV options.

Smarter Vehicles Through AI

Another key pillar of Nissan’s future is AI-assisted driving technology. The company plans to integrate advanced driver assistance and semi-autonomous features into a majority of its vehicles over the next several years.

These systems are designed to enhance:

Safety
Driver awareness
In-car connectivity

While less visible than a new engine or redesign, this shift could become one of Nissan’s most impactful long-term innovations.

🚙 The Core Lineup: What’s Staying

Nissan’s future lineup is built around a group of proven, high-demand models that continue to evolve with new technology and features.

SUVs and Crossovers (The Backbone)

Nissan Kicks – Entry-level, affordable, and recently redesigned
Nissan Rogue – The brand’s best-seller and innovation leader
Nissan Pathfinder – Family-focused with growing tech upgrades
Nissan Armada – Large SUV with premium and performance appeal

These vehicles form a complete SUV ladder, covering nearly every price point and lifestyle.

Sedans (Reduced but Relevant)

Nissan Sentra – Recently updated and positioned as the primary sedan
Nissan Altima – Still available, though its long-term future is less certain

As consumer demand shifts toward SUVs, Nissan is scaling back—but not eliminating—its sedan offerings.

Trucks and Performance Models

Nissan Frontier – A key player in the midsize truck segment
Nissan Titan – Still present, but facing stiff competition
Nissan Z – A modern revival of Nissan’s performance heritage
Nissan GT-R – Nearing the end of its lifecycle, with a successor anticipated

These models help maintain Nissan’s identity beyond everyday transportation.

⚠️ Models Being Phased Out or Reevaluated

Not every vehicle is making the cut.

The Nissan Versa is being discontinued after 2025
The Nissan Ariya is seeing strategy adjustments depending on market demand
Some low-volume global models are being eliminated as part of a broader consolidation effort

This reflects a broader industry shift: automakers are prioritizing efficiency and profitability over sheer volume.

🔍 The Role of the Nissan Kicks

One standout in this transition is the Nissan Kicks, which represents Nissan’s practical, value-driven approach.

Recently redesigned, the Kicks offers:

Modern infotainment and safety features
Improved comfort and available all-wheel drive
Strong fuel efficiency at an affordable price point

While it doesn’t showcase cutting-edge hybrid or EV technology, it plays a crucial role as an entry-level gateway into the Nissan brand.

🧭 Industry Context: Why This Shift Matters

Nissan’s strategy mirrors broader trends shaping the automotive industry:

EV adoption is growing—but unevenly
Hybrids are gaining traction as a transitional solution
SUV demand continues to dominate global markets
Cost control and profitability are now top priorities

By focusing on fewer, stronger models, Nissan aims to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

🧾 Bottom Line

Nissan is not simply cutting models—it’s redefining its identity.

✔️ Investing in hybrid technology, AI, and core SUVs
✔️ Maintaining key sedans, trucks, and performance vehicles
❌ Eliminating underperforming and low-demand models

The result is a lineup that is leaner, more technologically advanced, and better aligned with today’s market demands.