How to improve the energy efficiency of an older home

How To Improve Energy Efficiency in an Older House

With newly built homes, energy efficiency is now considered one of the most important features. But older homes simply don’t have the same energy-saving features that we do now. That being said, if you live in an older house, you may be used to paying higher utility bills. This doesn’t have to be the case anymore! There is a range of things that you can do to make your older home more energy efficient and save on your pnm bill. Here are some of the simple things you can do to improve the energy efficiency of an older house.

Woman replacing old lightbulbs with LEDs

Replace your light bulbs to improve energy efficiency

This is one of the easiest and most affordable things you can do to make your home more energy-efficient. If you are still using the older style light bulbs, swap them out with modern LED lights. These can save up to six times as much energy. Not to mention, they won’t give off as much heat. This will also help to keep your home nice and cool, especially in the summer.

You could also add a new lighting system to your home. By installing things like motion sensor switches, you can make sure that the lights are turned off if the room is empty without having to think about it. You can also get systems that allow you to control your lighting from a smartphone app. This means you can turn your lights off if you forgot to do so before more. Or you can even turn your lights on when you aren’t home at night to deter robbers.

OhmConnect sign-up

Hook your energy utility service up to OhmConnect

OhmConnect is a free service that rewards you with giftcards or PayPal cashouts simply by reducing your energy usage. Once you hook your utility service up to OhmConnect, it automatically tracks what you save. After that, Ohm will start sending you Ohm Hour alerts. These alerts are Ohm’s way of trying to reduce the energy usage during certain peak times. You will earn “Watts” for how much energy you save during these Ohm hours which can be used to redeem rewards. During the summer, you can expect to see an Ohm Hour a few times a week – making it super easy to rack up rewards quickly. Last summer, I cashed out $75 in one month because of the energy I saved. It’s kind of a win-win honestly. You’re reducing your energy bill AND getting rewarded for it.

Replace showers, faucets, and toilets

Older toilets use a lot more water each time you flush them than more modern ones. You may also have leaky faucets and shower heads in an older home. These are all fairly simple and affordable to replace, and modern low-flow toilets can significantly reduce the amount of water that you use.

Solar power on a house can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your home

Look at alternative sources of energy to improve energy efficiency

While these cost more upfront, alternative sources of energy can save you big money in the long run. By switching to geothermal, wind, or solar energy, you will reduce your energy bill significantly. Of course, where you live plays a big part in the type of alternative energy that is best for you. But it is a great thing to do for both the environment and your bank account.

Fix gaps and leaks in windows and doors or replace them

In many households, windows and doors are the biggest sources of leaked air. Many older houses have the original single pane windows, or older versions of double-glazing, which are pretty ineffective at keeping air in. Older wooden doors also tend to warp and shrink because of humidity and fluctuating temperatures. The drafts caused by this will make it incredibly cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Swapping these out for new, more energy-efficient windows and doors will make your improve the energy efficiency of your older home.

As well as saving you money, making energy-efficient changes to your older house also reduces the impact that you have on the environment. It will also greatly increase the value of your home as a whole!


Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Dates Announced

It may be springtime, but the dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party 2023 at the Walt Disney World Resort have been announced. For select dates starting August 11 through November 1, 2023, you can experience Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.

Here are the party dates below:

August: 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

September: 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29

October: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31

November: 1

Disney Halloween party 2023

How to Get Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets will go on sale for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel guests on April 27. Then they will be available for all guests on May 2. Let’s help you purchase these tickets as soon as they’re available! Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 855-GET-AWAY for those who have a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel booked beginning April 27. Or tickets will be available for everyone at Get Away Today starting May 2.

In California, the Disneyland Resort just announced that Oogie Boogie Bash will officially return to Disney California Adventure Park in 2023! At this time, no exact dates have been released for Halloween Time or Oogie Boogie Bash.

But on whichever coast you attend a Not So Scary Disney Halloween party, Get Away Today has lots of vacation packages available. You’ll save money on your park tickets as well as the hotels you stay at. That way you can have even more money to spend on Mickey-shaped snacks.

Giveaways

And we saved the best for last. Get Away Today has some very fun giveaways happening right now and more coming! Next week is their annual training trip for the Get Away Today team. Which means they will be sharing hotel tours, travel tips, and of course, giveaways! You can enter to win one of 20+ hotel stays at our favorite Anaheim-area hotels. Be sure to follow along on Instagram and Facebook to experience all of the fun.



myVEGAS Slots FAQs

myVEGAS FAQs – Get the BEST Information!

If you’re like me, then you frequently play myVEGAS because their rewards are top notch. Not to mention, you can redeem rewards for places other than Vegas! But if you have some pending questions, let me answer some of the myVEGAS FAQs.

myVEGAS FAQs

How many MyVegas apps are there?

There are 7 ways to earn myVEGAS Loyalty Points to redeem rewards. MyVEGAS Slots, myVEGAS Blackjack, MGM Slots Live!, myVEGAS Bingo, Konami Slots, POP! Slots, and playing myVEGAS Slots on Facebook gaming.

Can you get free rooms on MyVegas?

Absolutely! I have redeemed free stays at the Bellagio, Mirage, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, and Sycuan in San Diego. You will still be required to pay for the room fees and taxes though!

How do you get Loyalty Points in MyVegas app?

You earn Loyalty Points (LP) simply by playing the games in the app. This means playing the slots or blackjack. However myVEGAS Bingo and MGM Slots Live award LP differently. For those two apps only, all you have to do is have the app open and you will start earning Loyalty Points – no actual game play needed!

Do myVEGAS Loyalty Points expire?

NOPE! No expiration date on the LP. However there is an expiration on the rewards. If you use your LP to redeem a reward, most rewards will have an expiration date. Usually the date is 45 days. If you can’t use the reward within that time, no worries! You can cancel the reward and get all LP back.

Can you gift MyVegas Loyalty Points?

Unfortunately you cannot gift myVEGAS Loyalty Points.

Is there a limit on myVEGAS rewards?

Yes and no. There is a limit on how many Premium Rewards you can redeem in a 30 day period. That limit is 2. When planning your reward redemption, remember to keep this in mind. Although the rewards will say what is considered a Premium reward, there is an easy indication. More often than not, if it has to do with something that is 100% free (not BOGO, not “with the purchase of..”, etc), then it is a Premium reward. For example, a free night stay, a free drink, or a free ticket to a show that has no other purchase obligation will be a Premium reward.

How many loyalty points can you earn per day on MyVegas?

This could vary based on gaming promotions. But it is estimated that you could earn a grand total of 25,375 Loyalty Points across all myVEGAS apps in one single day. To learn more about how many LP you can earn on each individual myVEGAS app, click here!

Are there other apps like MyVegas?

To my knowledge there is not. I tried Caesar’s Slots, but they do not have any real-world rewards. MyVEGAS apps are the only way to play a free game while earning real-life rewards.

Have more myVEGAS questions?

Comment below with any more questions you may have!

Want more myVEGAS best practices? Check them out on Donna Gail Blog!


How to Save on Disneyland Tickets

Is anyone really shocked that Disneyland raised their prices again? I’m not. But if you’re wondering how to save on Disneyland tickets, you’re in luck! The only downside is… there is a ticking clock. You need to act quickly to save money.

So.. how do I save on Disneyland tickets?

You can lock-in the old Disneyland prices and save up to $90 per ticket with my partners at Get Away Today! They were actually able to keep their tickets at the lower price. But only for a limited time! Especially because a lot of Disney-goers are learning about this loophole to save money.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:

Q: How much will I save by booking by October 20?
A: That will depend on the type and length of the tickets you choose. Savings start at $32 per ticket, but with Disney Genie+ included, you can save up to $90 per ticket!
Q: How long are they valid?
A: Get Away Today’s DISNEYLAND® tickets are valid for travel now – Jan. 12, 2024.
Q: Do I have to know my travel dates?
A: No, just enter a general date to purchase your tickets. That will be the date that Get Away Today sends your reminders to make theme park reservations as early as 120 days prior to travel. Dates are flexible and can be rescheduled.
Q: Can I put these on a Layaway Plan?
A: Because tickets must be paid in full by October 20, Layaway Plans are temporarily unavailable.

Time to Save Big!

There are only a few days left to purchase tickets at this lower price with Get Away Today so you’ll need to act quickly! Because these savings are so massive, they are able to offer these lower prices until Thursday at 10pm MT. If you are purchasing or upgrading your tickets, it is highly recommended to do so before Thursday to avoid the last minute rush.

Even if you are finding this blog well after the last Disneyland ticket price increase, GAT is still your best bet to save on tickets. Historically they are known for having lower prices and great vacation package deals. That being said, check them out to find the best and lowest prices for your Disney vacations!

Visit Get Away Today to lock in your savings now! And share the savings with others!

Find more information on Get Away Today deals on Donna Gail Blog!