home improvement
Living Color: On-trend hues reflect comforting lifestyle design
Upgrading your home design is an opportunity to tap into new color schemes. Knowing what shades are trendy and how different hues can work together for a cohesive design is an important step in creating an attractive design aesthetic.
Last Updated on May 4, 2025 by Daily News Staff
(Family Features) Upgrading your home design is an opportunity to tap into new color schemes. Knowing what shades are trendy and how different hues can work together for a cohesive design is an important step in creating an attractive design aesthetic.
While you might turn to family or friends for inspiration for your next DIY project, another resource for collecting concepts and options to upgrade your space is the internet. Consider the Valspar Color-verse, which allows visitors to explore colors in a unique way and offers paint color inspiration and decor trends they can envision within their own homes.
The interactive virtual home showcases the latest paint and design trends so you can get creative for your next project. After experiencing the Valspar 2023 Colors of the Year firsthand by painting walls and art from the collection to see the 3D virtual house come to life, you can find the perfect paint shade for your space.
“Through the Color-verse, visitors can experience the 12 Colors of the Year in a realistic virtual home,” said Gus Morales, vice president of brand marketing for CBG Sherwin-Williams. “Aside from exploring the Colors of the Year, the home is an engaging space for visitors to create art, play games, and order paint chips to see how their top color picks look and feel in their homes.”
Color Trends to Consider
Many of this year’s popular nature-inspired designs are all about finding comfort, embracing a flexible lifestyle, rediscovering joy and leaning into the growing DIY movement. The most trend-worthy, forward-thinking and livable colors reflect specific facets or emotions of life so you can update your well-used spaces with thoughtful colors that evoke positive energy and lasting change.
Comfort and Contentment: If your goal is to create a space that envelopes you in a sense of comfort, consider a white with a yellow undertone that makes a space cozy like a soft blanket, like Cozy White from Valspar. Complement the softness with a muted clay that brings in brown undertones that suggest gentle contentment.
Calming Restoration: Tap into the calming tones of nature with a hazy green that has duality, which brings in both the calm and liveliness of the great outdoors. Another option is a deep midnight blue used as an elegant calming shade to restore mind, body and home.
Healthful, Mindful Living: Create an uplifting space where your wellness is a priority. Evoke a greater sense of health consciousness with a light blue that has a dose of softness used as a fresh neutral with uplifting qualities of a modern pastel, like Valspar’s Rising Tide. Reinforce the benefits of mindful living with a cool gray that is balanced by the warmth of the yellow undertone, a natural hue like a cotton muslin cloth.
Connections and Joy: Establish spaces where you can celebrate relationships with others, the world around you and happiness in your being. Consider hues like a white softened by a violet undertone, a harmonious shade promoted by digital connectivity. Evoke joy with a dependable classic tan that features a yellow undertone suggesting new life with uplifting qualities.
Natural Balance: Bringing hints of the outdoors into a well-loved living space creates a soothing ambiance. Consider a warm neutral brown tone inspired by the shades found in nature or a cooled down blue that strikes a beautiful balance between cool and warm shades in your design.
Inspirational Thought: A work-from-home or crafting space needs color to inspire great thinking. Try a faded natural terracotta that sparks individuality and warmth or a deep blackened olive, an on-trend neutral that embodies charm and sophistication.
Explore the tool and find more colorful ideas at Valspar.com.
Navigate New Colors
Exploring color options before you apply them to a home improvement or design project gives you the chance to experience and visualize different styles before you fully commit. Using a tool like Valspar’s Color-verse, a 3D virtual home, you can experience on-trend color palettes that inspire your next big project through resources like:
- An interactive feature that allows you to repaint walls of a living room, dining room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, walls and cabinets using the 12 Colors of the Year then takes you directly to the site to order free paint chips to try at home
- An artisticelement where you can create a 3D panorama nature scene, explore others’ artwork and share creations on social media
A light-hearted game that inspires you to get on the road to gather your home improvement essentials
SOURCE:
Valspar
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(Feature Impact) Stretches of scorching summer days may leave you and your family feeling like you just can’t quite get (or stay) cool. If you find yourself resigned to cooler rooms or leaving ceiling fans on constantly, it might be time to check your air conditioner.
Extreme heat is no longer rare for many parts of the country. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 13 million households reported being uncomfortably hot for an extended period.
Not all air conditioning systems perform the same when temperatures spike. While most systems can keep up on typical summer days, prolonged heat can expose performance gaps, leading to uneven cooling and higher energy use. The difference often comes down to how the system is designed.
To better understand whether your HVAC system can stand up to summer, consider this information from the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS), a world leader in residential air conditioning units with sophisticated, durable systems that deliver quiet operation and energy-efficient performance.
Why Some Homes Stay More Comfortable Than Others
Not every home experiences summer heat the same way. Factors such as home layout, sun exposure, insulation, and HVAC system design can all influence how effectively a home maintains comfort during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
For example, upstairs bedrooms, rooms with large windows, and spaces exposed to direct afternoon sun often have different cooling demands than other areas of the home. Systems that provide more precise temperature control and flexibility can help address these differences and deliver more consistent comfort throughout the house.
Signs Your System May Be Struggling
As summer temperatures rise, there are often clear signs that an HVAC system may be struggling to keep up with demand. One of the most common indicators is a system that seems to run constantly during the hottest parts of the day, yet fails to deliver the level of comfort homeowners expect.
Homeowners may also notice persistent warm spots in certain rooms, increased indoor humidity, or weaker airflow from vents. In some cases, increased noise from vents or equipment may signal the system is working harder than usual to maintain airflow and cooling performance.
Another warning sign often appears on monthly utility statements. A noticeable increase in energy use during peak summer months can indicate the system is consuming more power to maintain comfort under challenging conditions.
What Makes the Difference in Extreme Heat
Not all HVAC systems are built the same. Modern system design plays a critical role in how well a home stays comfortable during prolonged high temperatures. Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric include ducted and ductless options designed to deliver reliable comfort, efficiency, and control in demanding conditions like summer heat surges, along with important features like:
- Cooling performance designed to maintain comfort even during extreme outdoor temperatures
- Precise temperature control that helps deliver more consistent comfort throughout the home
- Quiet, efficient operation that delivers strong performance with less noise and energy use
- Flexible installation options for homes with existing ductwork and homes without ducts, plus room additions, garages, sunrooms, and other hard-to-cool spaces
Evaluating whether your current system is designed to handle sustained high temperatures can help prevent discomfort and avoid rushed decisions during the hottest days of the year. To learn more, visit MitsubishiComfort.com.
SOURCE:
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
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home improvement
Hotter Summers and Rising Energy Costs: How Next-Generation Inverter Heat Pumps Can Provide Comfort and Savings
As heating and cooling systems are pushed to run for extended periods, energy use, especially for cooling, is increasing in demand and costing homeowners more. Modern, energy-efficient heat pump systems can help lower energy bills and support long-term savings.
(Feature Impact) In the past decade, temperatures have reached record highs, according to NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, resulting in hotter summers that last longer and put increasing strain on home HVAC systems. As heating and cooling systems are pushed to run for extended periods, energy use, especially for cooling, is increasing in demand and costing homeowners more.
Modern, energy-efficient heat pump systems, like those offered by Midea, one of the world’s largest producers of major appliances and a leading innovator in the HVAC industry, allow homeowners to easily replace existing, outdated central air units, mitigating the need for major electrical rewiring, ductwork or structural modifications. Utility rebate programs and government incentives can also help offset upfront costs, while the improved efficiency of a heat pump system can help lower energy bills and support long-term savings.
Rising Energy Costs Make Cooling More Expensive
Maintaining comfort during prolonged periods of heat is a growing financial burden. With heating and cooling accounting for about 43% of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC systems are one of the largest contributors to monthly utility bills. As systems run longer to keep up with extended heat, energy costs soar, making efficiency an increasingly key factor in managing overall household expenses.
Aging HVAC Systems Struggle to Keep Up
From 2000-2009, approximately 14.6 million homes were constructed, according to Statista research, many of which now have HVAC systems reaching replacement age. As these systems age, they become less efficient and require more energy to maintain the same comfort level. As cooling seasons lengthen and hotter temperatures become more common, this decline in performance can contribute to higher energy costs and reduced reliability.
According to ENERGY STAR, systems more than 10 years old may no longer operate as efficiently as newer models. For homeowners looking to replace aging equipment, Midea’s EVOX lineup is designed as a direct, drop-in replacement compatible with existing ductwork, thermostats and electrical infrastructure, delivering the benefits of modern inverter technology without the cost of a full system overhaul.
Smart Comfort Solutions to Support Homeowners’ Wallets
Modern heat pump technology offers a more cost-effective way to maintain home comfort while managing energy use. Unlike traditional systems such as furnaces and central air conditioners, heat pumps provide both heating and cooling in a single system and are designed to operate more efficiently across a wide range of temperatures.
Cold-climate inverter heat pumps can reduce reliance on auxiliary electric heat, helping improve overall system efficiency. Variable-speed heat pumps can also provide more consistent temperature control and improved dehumidification compared to standard central air conditioners.
Additional savings opportunities may be available through utility-based and state and local incentives, including tax credits for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements.
How to Know if a New System Will Reduce Energy Consumption
The cooling efficiency and energy consumption of central air conditioning systems can be compared by looking at the “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio,” or “SEER.” Similar to a car’s miles per gallon rating, a higher rating means the system produces more cooling for every unit of electricity consumed. In 2023, DOE moved to SEER2, which is based on a stricter testing method that better reflects real-world conditions. Minimum regional SEER2 requirements for traditional central air conditions range from 13.4-14.3 and the DOE minimum for heat pump systems is 14.3. Higher-efficiency units offer SEER2 ratings of 16 and above.
Flexible Options for Every Home
As temperatures continue to rise and systems work harder to keep up, finding cost-efficient solutions is an increasingly important consideration. With solutions engineered for straightforward installation and compatibility with existing systems, ductwork and thermostats, Midea’s top-of-the-line EVOX lineup – available in All-Climate, Xtreme, Advance, Lite and PowerCool – is designed to adapt to changing conditions while delivering reliable, year-round performance and improved efficiency for those looking to upgrade aging equipment and manage long-term energy costs.
To learn more about how an inverter heat pump can provide improved efficiency and cost savings, visit MideaComfort.US to explore the full lineup.
SOURCE:
Midea
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home improvement
Why ‘Waiting Until It Breaks’ Can Be an Expensive HVAC Strategy
For many homeowners, heating and cooling systems fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. However, even if the air is flowing and the temperature feels right, taking an “if it’s still running, it’s still fine” approach to your HVAC system today can lead to higher repair bills, rising energy costs, uncomfortable downtime and rushed replacement decisions tomorrow.
Last Updated on June 2, 2026 by Rod Washington
(Feature Impact) For many homeowners, heating and cooling systems fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. However, even if the air is flowing and the temperature feels right, taking an “if it’s still running, it’s still fine” approach to your HVAC system today can lead to higher repair bills, rising energy costs, uncomfortable downtime and rushed replacement decisions tomorrow.
While it may seem cost-effective in the short-term, the experts at Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US (METUS) suggest proactive maintenance and planned upgrades as the smarter financial move in many cases.
The Hidden Costs of Waiting
HVAC systems rarely fail without warning. Instead, they decline gradually, becoming less efficient and more prone to breakdowns over time. They commonly fail during extreme summer heat or winter cold when demand is highest. A broken air conditioner during the peak of summer doesn’t just create discomfort; it often comes with longer service wait times and higher emergency repair costs, while also leaving you with less time to compare equipment options, take advantage of rebates or make a convenient installation appointment.
Small issues – like a dirty filter restricting airflow or worn components adding stress to other parts of the system – can also snowball into bigger, more expensive repairs. Similarly, inefficient systems, especially older or poorly maintained ones, can drive up monthly energy costs, using more energy and putting additional stress on the components to maintain the same comfort level.
Signs Your HVAC System Needs Attention
Even if your HVAC system hasn’t broken down, it may already be showing signs of trouble. Consider these warning signs that your HVAC system may be due for replacement:
- Rooms heating and cooling unevenly
- Rising utility bills with no clear cause
- Strange noises or unusual odors
- Weak airflow or reduced comfort
- Frequent service calls
- System age approaching 10-15 years or older
The Value of Preventive Maintenance
Routine maintenance can help catch small issues early before they become costly repairs while extending system lifespan and maintaining performance. Regularly replacing or cleaning filters helps maintain airflow and efficiency while keeping vents clear and outdoor units free of debris ensures your system can operate at its best. Professional seasonal tune-ups can also help catch small issues early and extend the lifespan of your equipment.
How Planning Ahead Can Pay Off
Replacing an aging HVAC system before it fails gives homeowners an invaluable asset: time. Instead of making a rushed decision in extreme temperatures, you can make thoughtful decisions based on comfort goals, budget and home needs. It also allows for evaluating newer technologies that can improve everyday comfort and lower operating costs. Today’s systems offer features that weren’t available a decade ago, allowing for customization of indoor environments that was once out of reach.
Benefits of Modern HVAC Upgrades
Upgrading your system isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns – it’s about enhancing your everyday comfort and improving efficiency and control. Modern HVAC solutions, like Zoned Comfort Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric, allow for personalized temperatures in different rooms or areas of the home. Using energy-efficient heat pump technology, they provide heating and cooling in one efficient system for better temperature consistency and control in every season.
Newer systems – both ducted and ductless – tend to run more quietly and offer flexible installation. They can be used with existing ductwork or installed in homes without it, making them a strong option for room additions, garages, sunrooms or spaces that are traditionally difficult to heat or cool.
Long-Term Benefits of Upgrading
When you shift to proactive HVAC maintenance, the benefits can add up and you can gain confidence your home is prepared, regardless of what the seasons have to offer. Upgrading your system ahead of a total failure reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, lowers energy costs and provides more consistent comfort throughout the year. There’s also the added bonus of increasing your home’s appeal and value for future buyers.
While waiting until it breaks might feel like the easy choice, it may also be the most expensive one. Visit mitsubishicomfort.com to explore your options and learn more.
SOURCE:
Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
