Lifestyle
7 Ways to Reduce Home Energy Costs
Energy bills, particularly for heating and cooling, significantly impact household budgets. Tips include adjusting thermostats, exploring incentives, using heat pumps, maintaining HVAC systems, improving insulation, and managing appliance usage.
Last Updated on November 16, 2024 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) When building your budget, utility bills – especially the electric bill – are likely one of your largest monthly expenditures. One of the biggest culprits: home heating and cooling, which account for more than half of the average American household’s annual energy consumption, according to estimates from the Energy Information Administration.
In fact, 83% of homeowners are concerned about the impact of energy bills on their household budgets, according to a survey conducted by Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), with 54% saying it cost “somewhat more” or “much more” to heat their homes this winter compared to last year.
To help dial down your energy costs, consider these tips from the heating and cooling experts at METUS.
Adjust the Temperature
While you’re sleeping or away from home, adjust your thermostat up 5-10 F in the summer or down 5-10 F in the winter, which can help lower annual heating and cooling costs if done consistently. A smart thermostat can monitor your energy use and behaviors then automatically adjust to make your home more energy efficient.
Look for Incentives and Rebates
Qualified homeowners may be eligible to save money on qualified home energy improvement projects. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) offers tax credits and rebates, including a credit of 30% (up to $2,000) for qualifying heat pump installation, an energy-efficient option to replace fossil fuel-burning furnaces. Other incentives under the IRA include offsetting costs of electrical panel upgrades and rebates for homes with energy usage reductions of 20% or more.
Switch to a Heat Pump
Among survey respondents, 54% ranked government incentives like the IRA as one of the top reasons they would consider installing a heat pump to replace a traditional air conditioner. Options like Mitsubishi Electric’s all-climate heat pumps use two units – an exterior heat pump, which replaces your existing air conditioning condenser, and an interior unit installed on your furnace – to deliver cost-effective, eco-efficient, year-round heating and cooling. These smart systems not only improve air conditioning efficiency on hot days, but also determine the best source of heat (gas or electricity) on cold days, so your HVAC system is always running at peak efficiency and comfort.
Have HVAC Systems Serviced Regularly
For best performance and efficiency, regular maintenance of your heating and cooling system is imperative. Keeping outdoor units free of debris and changing air filters are tasks most homeowners can handle on their own but bringing in a professional – usually in the spring and fall – can help ensure your HVAC system and all its components, including electrical and ductwork, are functioning properly.
Improve Your Insulation
Poorly insulated attics, walls, ceilings, floors and crawl spaces can lead to energy waste and increase costs by requiring more energy to heat or cool your home. Because air can escape through these spaces when your HVAC system pushes air through your home, adding insulation can help reduce losses and keep your home more comfortable.
Use Appliances During Non-Peak Hours
Rather than using your oven, stove or clothes dryer from noon-6 p.m., peak time for many electricity providers, consider doing so in the morning or later at night. Using these appliances outside of the peak timeframe, when conventional heating and cooling systems are often running full bore, can help lower energy costs. Some utilities may also offer plans that incentivize limiting energy use during peak hours.
Think Multi-Zone
Consider upgrading to an all-climate, multi-zone heat pump, which can seamlessly connect to multiple indoor units, revolutionizing the way you experience comfort in your home. By eliminating problematic hot and cold spots in your home, this system ensures personalized comfort tailored to individual zones and optimizes energy usage by directing it only to the areas requiring heating or cooling. Replacing an outdated HVAC system with a multi-zone solution can also help achieve cost and energy savings. By efficiently managing temperature in different zones, you can experience improved energy efficiency, resulting in a more sustainable and economical solution for heating and cooling.
Find more solutions for improving your home’s efficiency and increasing energy savings at MitsubishiComfort.com.
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Mitsubishi Electric
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Travel
How to Get More Out of Your Travel Budget
Every great vacation starts long before you pack a suitcase – from choosing where to go to mapping out the perfect itinerary – ensuring you get the most out of your travel budget.
How to Get More Out of Your Travel Budget
(Feature Impact) Every great vacation starts long before you pack a suitcase – from choosing where to go to mapping out the perfect itinerary.
A recent survey conducted online by Talker Research on behalf of World of Hyatt found 70% of U.S. respondents ages 18-65 feel pressure to make every vacation feel “worth the money.” For many, travel rewards have become part of making that happen with 74% saying using travel rewards makes travel spending feel more worthwhile. That sentiment is even stronger among younger travelers, including 84% of Gen Z and 77% of Millennials.
It’s no surprise travelers are putting more thought into the planning process. Nearly 4 in 10 respondents said they spend three or more hours researching and choosing a destination, showing that getting the most out of a travel budget has become just as important as choosing the destination itself.
Make Everyday Spending More Rewarding
One of the easiest ways to stretch your travel budget is choosing a credit card that rewards the purchases you’re already making. More than half of travelers (53%) who travel at least once a year and use credit cards said they’d travel more often if accommodations were partially covered by rewards or points, while 36% said they’d take trips they otherwise wouldn’t.
With the World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase, cardmembers earn two Bonus Points per $1 spent on dining, local transit and airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, plus one Bonus Point per $1 on all other purchases. When it’s time to travel, cardmembers earn up to 9X total points on qualifying purchases at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts (four Bonus Points per $1 spent with the card and up to five Base Points per eligible $1 spent as a World of Hyatt member). By turning everyday spending into travel rewards, the credit card can help bring those getaways within reach.
For those looking to earn toward future vacations faster, now through Aug. 20, 2026, new World of Hyatt Credit Card cardmembers can earn up to 75,000 Bonus Points – enough to redeem for up to five free nights at Category 1-5 Hyatt hotels or resorts when redemption levels are at or below 15,000 points per night.
- 45,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
- Up to 30,000 Bonus Points by earning two Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first six months on purchases that normally earn one Bonus Point (up to $15,000)
Free hotel nights also top many travelers’ wish lists with nearly half of survey respondents (45%) saying they’re the most valuable travel reward. To help make stays more attainable, the credit card also includes an annual Category 1-4 Free Night Award after each cardmember anniversary with the opportunity to earn a second after spending $15,000 in a calendar year. Complimentary Discoverist status adds even more value with perks like room upgrades and 2 p.m. late checkout (as available), helping make every stay even more enjoyable.
Find Your Next Escape
Put your rewards to work at unforgettable destinations, such as:
- Get away this fall
Experience fall at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, where scenic waterfront trails, championship golf and seasonal outdoor adventures offer a relaxing change of pace.
- Celebrate the season in the city
Plan a festive Chicago getaway at Chicago Athletic Association with easy access to Millennium Park’s ice-skating rink, the Christkindlmarket, holiday lights and the city’s vibrant dining scene.
- Spend the new year at the beach
Escape to Wild Dunes Resort, where oceanfront accommodations, sandy beaches, championship golf and resort amenities create the perfect coastal Carolina getaway.
Start Planning Your Next Adventure
Whether you’re planning a bucket-list vacation or a weekend escape, thoughtful planning and making everyday spending work harder can help unlock your next getaway.
Learn more about maximizing your travel rewards at chase.com/gethyattcard.
Content courtesy of Chase and World of Hyatt.
Credit Cards are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 U.S. adults aged 18 – 65 who travel at least once per year and use credit cards. The survey was commissioned by Hyatt and administered online by Talker Research between June 29-July 6, 2026.+
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Family
7 Tricks to Ease Back-to-School Chaos with a Little Magic
Ease Back-to-School Chaos: Between shopping for supplies, coordinating the family’s schedules and trying to make sure everyone is looking and feeling their best, there’s a lot going on this time of year. While you may not be able to wave a wand and make all the stress disappear, you can use these tips and tricks to save time and add a touch of excitement to the back-to-school season.
7 Tricks to Ease Back-to-School Chaos with a Little Magic
(Feature Impact) Everyone could use a little more magic in their everyday lives – but when it comes to back-to-school season, “manic” often feels like the more accurate word. Between shopping for supplies, coordinating the family’s schedules and trying to make sure everyone is looking and feeling their best, there’s a lot going on this time of year.
While you may not be able to wave a wand and make all the stress disappear, you can use these tips and tricks – courtesy of the haircut magicians at Great Clips – to save time and add a touch of excitement to the back-to-school season.
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Start Routines Early
Instead of waiting for the first day of school to change all your routines, guide your family into the time warp a little more gradually. Shift sleep and wake times a week or two ahead of time so the early wakeups won’t come as such a shock to the system. Adapt meal schedules and other daily habits the same way. Before you know it, the spell will be complete and you’ll be ready to roll with the regular school-day schedules.
Create a Special Back-to-School Tradition
Watching your kids’ eyes light up is its own mini dose of magic that never gets old. Start a fun new tradition to brighten their first day or week. That could be a special breakfast, new outfit, porch photoshoot, surprise gift for them to discover in their backpacks or another creative idea personalized to your family.
Get a Convenient and Affordable Haircut
A haircut can help children and parents get into the back-to-school spirit. That’s why Great Clips partnered with internet celebrity and magician Justin Flom, known for his mind-bending optical illusions, to help remind parents they don’t need complicated tricks to make getting a back-to-school haircut a breeze. With the Great Clips app, parents can easily check in multiple family members at once, keep an eye on wait times and get notified when it’s their turn for a haircut. No illusions, no sleight of hand – just convenient, affordable haircuts that feel like much needed relief for parents.
“Our goal is to help families spend less time waiting and more time doing what matters during one of the busiest seasons of the year,” said Traci Elder, vice president of marketing and communications at Great Clips, Inc. “The Great Clips app helps families save time by making haircuts fit more seamlessly into their busy schedules and at a great price, too.”
Plan Outfits Ahead of Time
The morning rush often feels like the furthest thing from a fairytale. Take at least one groggy decision off your plate by choosing clothes the evening before – or even assembling a week’s worth of outfits on Sunday and storing them in a special drawer that gives your child an instant portal to getting dressed.
Personalize School Supplies
From preferred colors to beloved characters, all kids have their favorites. Stock them up with pens, notebooks, lunchboxes and other supplies that match their current obsessions; that way, it’s more exciting to use them at school and show their swag off to their friends.
Refresh the Study Space
Homework time might look like less of a wizard battle if your kids have a special place to do it. Add some whimsy to their study spaces by putting up string lights, letting them pick out a new piece of furniture or art, and making their environment cozy and comfortable.
Set School Year Goals
As a family, take some time to figure out what each of you wants to achieve this year – and make it fun. Amp up the magic here by writing down your goals; then, keep track of progress by filling up a goal jar with shiny stars, swirly marbles or fun charms. Throughout the school year, set up different “quests” for your family to accomplish.
Discover more about back-to-school haircut magic that saves you time and money at GreatClips.com/BacktoSchool.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (mom and daughter)
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Consumer Corner
5 Simple Snake Prevention Tips
Check out these snake prevention tips to reduce the possibility of unwanted reptilian encounters on your property.
5 Simple Snake Prevention Tips
(Feature Impact) Summer is peak snake season, so if you’ve recently gotten jump-scared while gardening or walking up your porch steps, you’re not alone. Typically, snakes aren’t slithering around looking for someone to bite – they’re often searching for food, water and shelter, and the vast majority (97% in the U.S.) aren’t venomous. Even if the risks of any real danger are low, though, you probably have no desire to share your shelter or yard with any slithering housemates.
Check out these snake prevention tips to reduce the possibility of unwanted reptilian encounters on your property.
Tidy Up Your Yard
If there’s one thing snakes love, it’s overgrown vegetation. Tall grass, piles of leaves and unkempt landscaping offer cool, sheltered hiding places for snakes and other pests. By keeping your lawn mowed, shrubs trimmed and garden weeded, you immediately make your yard less attractive to snakes and other pests.
Seal Exterior Cracks and Gaps
Seeing a snake outside your home is one thing but inside is a whole new level of startling. Conduct a thorough inspection of your house’s foundation to look for holes or cracks where uninvited guests may be able to infiltrate. Batten down the hatches by sealing these up and installing sturdy mesh over other openings like vents and crawl spaces.
Control Rodent Populations
Households with a mice or rat problem are also susceptible to predators that like to eat rodents. Addressing the first issue removes a major food source for snakes around your property and makes them less likely to hang around.
Don’t Leave Food Around
Speaking of food sources, if you have bird feeders or have other animals you feed outdoors, store your supplies in sealed containers. When you host outdoor gatherings, clean up promptly so crumbs and spills don’t attract insects and rodents (and in turn, snakes). Promptly gather any fallen fruit from trees on your property as well.
Practice Snake Safety
It never hurts to exercise a little extra caution when you’re spending time in places where you might encounter snakes. Stay alert when pulling equipment out of sheds, going elbow-deep in garden weeds, walking around in the dark or moving piles of wood, rocks or debris. Educate family members, especially kids, on what to do if they see a snake: stay calm, don’t provoke it, give it space and tell someone.
If you’re experiencing recurring snake sightings or issues on your property, it might be worth calling a professional. A wildlife removal or pest control specialist can look around your home and give you more specialized guidance on how to keep your spaces safe and snake-free. Visit eLivingtoday.com for additional home and garden guidance.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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