Keller homeowners: Get the real facts about LED bulbs

Light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs have transformed home lighting since coming on the market. Despite proven benefits that far outweigh older lighting options, like incandescent and compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, many people remain hesitant to make the switch.

It's time to finally dispel some common LED myths and get the real facts about these light bulbs so you can choose the best lighting for your Keller home.

Myth: LED light bulbs aren't worth the cost.

Fact: LED light bulbs are now only a few dollars more than ordinary light bulbs; significant research and development from manufacturers like Philips Lighting has made LED light bulbs more affordable.

Although the initial cost of an LED may be slightly higher than an incandescent light bulb, making the switch to LED lighting provides significant long-term savings. For example, quality LED lights have an average lifetime of 25,000 hours. This means if you have a light bulb on for three hours per day, then it will be 20 years before you need to change it. Plus, LEDs use up to 90 percent less energy than ordinary light bulbs; replacing incandescent bulbs with LED lighting will reduce your energy bill.
  
Myth: LED light bulbs are not bright enough.

Fact: LEDs can emit the same amount of light as incandescent bulbs while using far less energy. Many consumers look at the wattage of a light bulb to determine its level of brightness, but wattage only measures how much energy a bulb uses.

Light levels are measured in lumens. When you compare lumens, a quality LED bulb with a warm glow effect is as bright as a 60-watt incandescent bulb - both emit approximately 800 lumens.

Myth: LED light bulbs need time to warm up.

Fact: It's a big misunderstanding that LED bulbs need time to warm up before they reach full brightness. While fluorescent or CFL bulbs come on slowly, LEDs are "instantly on" and immediately shine with their full light output.

Myth: LED lighting can't be controlled and dimmed.

Fact: Unlike many CFL bulbs, most LED light bulbs are designed to easily dim. Dimmable LEDs can provide the right lighting for any mood or room in your home. For instance, the warm glow dimmable light effect in the Philips A19 LED allows light levels to gradually go from everyday functional lighting to a cozy, relaxing warm glow, replicating the effect of an incandescent bulb when dimmed.

Armed with the facts, you should feel confident that switching to LED light bulbs will allow you to enjoy hassle-free lighting, see savings in your energy bill and create the right ambiance in your Keller home.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership.

737 Red Mill Lane Mesquite, TX 75149

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/PAUPB4

Memories begin here! This adorable 3 bedroom, 1 bath, well cared for home features wonderful open floor plan. Enter into the bright living area that cheerfully welcomes any visitor. Spacious kitchen, master offering his and her closets and large secondary bedrooms enhance this home. Enjoy the front and back covered porches while entertaining family and friends. Awesome, oversized, rear entry garage makes this A RARE FIND. Don't miss this one!

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1.00

Square feet: 1,235

Price: $110,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3772168 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13427070

Garage cooling options for Keller homeowners

The garage is haven for many Keller homeowners - that is until the temperatures start to increase. Whether the garage is a storage space, or where you work on and fix things, don't let the heat stop your productivity.

There's a variety of options that can help to keep garages comfortably cool so you can stay on track with your projects, but some are far more effective than others. Do your research and learn the pros and cons of each so you can select the best one for your needs.

Fans
Fans seem like a quick fix to hot garage troubles. Both oscillating and ceiling options are inexpensive and easy to install. The drawback: fans are minimally effective. Fans alone simply circulate stagnant, hot air throughout the space. What's more, if the garage is large, the air circulation may not spread through the entire area.

AC units
Mobile air conditioners (AC) are more expensive than fans, but can be an effective way to cool garage spaces. Keep in mind, using an air conditioner does require the space to be closed off. Depending what the garage is being used for, this may be impossible for some people.

If you have a window in the garage, a window AC unit may work well because it vents directly outside. For garages without windows - which is typically more common - installing AC can be problematic. The unit requires a place to ventilate the heat generated from the compressor. This not only limits the mobility of the unit, but also requires fixed-ductwork and adds another point of heat generation.

Harsh refrigerants and energy consumption are other drawbacks. Refrigerants are an integral part of AC options to emit cool air, and running the unit uses a lot of energy which can cause energy bills to skyrocket.

Evaporative coolers
Evaporative cooling is gaining popularity due to its effectiveness and versatility. Portable evaporative coolers cool warm air and drop temperatures using tap water, a pump and a wetted surface to create the naturally occurring process of evaporation. When the air in the garage is pulled across the water, the temperature of that air naturally lowers. This effect is similar to the chill you get coming out of a pool or how the wind off the lake feels cooler. Many enthusiasts prefer the Portacool Jestream 240 because it's compact, portable and can be used with the garage door open to provide cooling throughout the space

Additional considerations
Now that you've determined the best cooling option for you, there are a few final things to consider. To start, insulation can make a big difference when regulating temperatures, especially in closed spaces. Consider adding paper-backed batt-insulation to the ceiling and walls. Additionally, ditch anything that puts off unnecessary heat, such as old incandescent bulbs since 90 percent of the energy used is given off as heat. Instead, replace with energy-sipping and cool running LEDs. These tips can help Keller homeowners keep their garage a productive space throughout the year.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership

6617 High Lawn Terrace Watauga, TX 76148

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/FLGU6Q

Come home to comfort! 3 bedroom, 2 bath with 2 car garage. Spacious kitchen boasting extra built ins and breakfast area open to large living featuring brick fireplace. Retreat to the master suite for some private time. Large secondary bedrooms provide ample space for family and friends. Enjoy a barbecue on the patio with plenty of space for outdoor family fun.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,528

Price: $155,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3755476 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13422206

12709 Pangolin Court Fort Worth, TX 76244

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/Z5YHYY

Fabulous one story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home on a cul-de-sac in sought after KISD. Enjoy the open concept and abundance of natural light. Spacious kitchen offers plenty of space for meal prep with breakfast area overlooking back yard. Entertain family and friends in the sizable family and dining rooms. Retreat to the Master suite for private time. Large secondary bedrooms and brick patio complete this package. Easy access to shopping and; highways..

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,868

Price: $187,500

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3750874 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13421093

10645 Traymore Drive Fort Worth, TX 76244

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/QQQEV4

The perfect fit! This cozy 2 bedroom,2 bath Townhome in KISD is close to highway and shopping.Open floor plan boasts plenty of natural light,large kitchen with patio,additional dining area & spacious living room.Retreat to the master and enjoy the gentle breezes on the private balcony. Second living space and; guest bedroom offer a place for everyone. Two car garage and private yard complete this package. Please call Cathy Jo Hobbs 817-726-5168 for info.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 1,504

Price: $162,500

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3740662 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13417863

721 Bareback Lane Fort Worth, TX 76131

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/CFECYW

Precious memories begin here! This well maintained 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home boasts wonderful, open floor plan ideal for family gatherings. Light and bright kitchen features granite surfaces, stainless appliances, island and breakfast bar. Retreat to the private master suite and relax in the garden tub. Large secondary bedrooms and gameroom offer a place for everyone. Awesome, flagstone patio is the perfect place for a barbecue.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 2.50

Square feet: 2,783

Price: $240,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3738572 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13417610

744 Fox Run Trail Saginaw, TX 76179

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/Y9LVX5

Great Beginnings! Fantastic one story, 3 bedroom, 2 bath home close to shopping, restaurants and highways. Spacious family room with fireplace overlooking backyard. Light and bright kitchen boasts breakfast bar and ample storage. Escape to the large master suite and relax in the garden tub. Access to second bedroom from master is perfect for nursery or office. Awesome yard with plenty of room for family fun and entertaining on the patio.

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,869

Price: $165,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3737354 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13415940

317 Oaklawn Drive Colleyville, TX 76034

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/QBTK8M

Introducing charm and charisma! Classic elegance is yours in this impeccably maintained two story home in Remington Park. 4 bed, 4 bath features open design with stunning wood floors and invites entertaining for any occasion. The sleek kitchen offers granite counters, butlers pantry, ample storage and island. Enjoy the amazing back yard oasis boasting pool with water feature and spa. Large secondary bedrooms and gameroom offer a place for everyone.

Bedrooms: 4

Bathrooms: 4.00

Square feet: 4,246

Price: $635,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3737299 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13410717

4 ways Keller homeowners can make their kitchen feel bigger

Kitchen renovation is a common theme of home improvement shows, and it's typical for the host and designer to talk about removing interior walls and "bumping out" exterior ones in order to gain more space. Everyone wants a big, beautiful kitchen, but changing the footprint of yours isn't always practical, especially if you lack the budget of a home improvement show!

You can make your Keller home's snug kitchen feel bigger and fresher with a few smart improvements that don't involve wads of cash and tearing out walls. Here are four ways to create a brighter, more expansive feeling in any kitchen, no matter how small the square footage:

Increase natural light
Everything looks bigger and better in the daylight, but if your kitchen has just one small window over the sink or no windows at all, it can look dark and feel even smaller. Adding windows isn't always possible in a kitchen where you need to reserve wall space for cabinets and appliances. Skylights can be a cost-effective and quick way to bring more natural light into a kitchen - even if it doesn't have direct roof access.

By adding Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered, fresh-air skylights, you can greatly increase the amount of natural light while keeping functional wall space. For times when you want less light, the addition of solar-powered blinds, available in designer colors and patterns, allow you to attractively shade your skylights. Operated with a programmable touchpad remote control, today's skylights also feature a sensor that will automatically close them in case of rain. And there's a 30 percent federal tax credit available to the homeowner on solar powered skylights, blinds and installation costs.

As a cost-effective and easily installed alternative to traditional skylights, Sun Tunnel tubular skylights deliver natural light to spaces that don't have direct roof access. Optional light kits make them functional both day and night. To learn more, visit www.whyskylights.com.

Take control of cabinets
Who doesn't want more cabinet space? Storage is essential in a kitchen, but too many cabinets or too dark cabinetry can make an already small kitchen feel downright miniscule.

Take a long, hard look at your kitchen cabinets. Do you really need all of them? If you decide you can make more efficient use of fewer cabinets, consider removing some to make the kitchen feel larger.
If you just can't give up any cabinet space, you can still make your kitchen feel brighter by painting or staining them a lighter hue and using bright, reflective hardware in modern styles. Glass cabinet doors can also visually open up a kitchen - and inspire you to greater organization so that the inside of your cabinets always look guest-ready.

Right-size appliances
You may fantasize about a six-burner professional range or a massive built-in refrigerator, but appliances that are too big for a room fail on multiple levels. They not only make the room look smaller by virtue of their dominating size, they can hinder usability by obstructing other work areas like cabinets, counters and other appliances when the doors are open.

Fortunately, appliance makers offer products in multiple sizes and finishes to fit any space and design preference. Before you appliance shop, be sure to measure the spaces where the new pieces will reside in your kitchen. Further, keep in mind the overall scale of the room, too. If your kitchen is small, a massive refrigerator will overwhelm the space, even if designated cutout for the fridge is big enough to accommodate a large one.

Brighten up
Choosing lighter colors and finishes is the easiest, most cost-effective way to make any space look bigger. If you've already addressed the cabinets, you can further expand the visual feel of the kitchen by painting walls a light color. Replace dark floors and counters with brighter colors and upgrade faucets, cabinet hardware and light fixtures to be brighter and more reflective.

Finally, try adding under-cabinet lighting above work spaces. Not only will task lighting put more illumination where you need it most when working in the kitchen, but when combined with abundant natural light from skylights it will provide an overall effect of a lighter, brighter and bigger space for your Keller home.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership

1801 Thomas Place Fort Worth, TX 76107

Property Tour: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/QRDFT6

Charm, simplicity and historical appeal will be yours in this wonderful, recently updated 2 bedroom, 2 bath home located in the sought after Arlington Heights. Awesome, open floor plan featuring granite surfaces, stainless appliances, refinished wood floors, basement and an abundance of natural light. Stately trees offer great privacy while relaxing on the extensive back deck. Just minutes from entertainment, shopping and historical district.

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2.00

Square feet: 1,582

Price: $350,000

For more information about this property, please contact Diane M. Grove at 817-337-0000 or info@groveteam.com. You can also text 3729938 to 67299.

See more listings at: http://www.groveteam.com

MLS ID: 13407023

6 tips for creating your own deck escape

No longer is it exclusively a rectangle attached to the back of your Keller home, today’s decks are built in creative designs to make them an ideal place to relax and de-stress. These six simple ideas will allow you to use the workability of modern decking to achieve an outdoor living space that’s the perfect “deck-escape” for you.

1. Show off some curves
For years, decks have been simple rectangular shapes built with traditional lumber, but with advances in decking products, more complicated designs are now possible. Now you can build decks in virtually any shape — from giant leaves to free-flowing curves. These decks lack the severity of sharp angles, and create a more casual feel perfect for relaxation. Many of these decks are built with high performance wood-plastic composite decking, which can be bent and shaped with simple heating. Composite boards, like MoistureShield composite decking, are also easy to rip and route, which allows them to fit virtually any design and personalize your backyard retreat.

2. Add some H2-Oh!
Whether it’s a simple bird bath or an elaborate fountain, adding a water feature to your deck is an ideal way to enhance its appeal. With its clear beauty and gentle, flowing sound, water is uniquely soothing. Simply fill a wine barrel or pot with water and a few aquatic plants — and maybe some fish — for a signature piece on your deck. An affordable pump kit installed in one of these containers provides a fast and easy way to add the mystique of flowing water.

3. Landscape for the perfect escape
To create an ultra-inviting deck-escape, integrate landscaping into your design. This could be as simple as adding a few planters with fragrant flowers to soothe your senses, or as comprehensive as turning your deck into an extension of your garden by working your deck design specifically around trees or shrubs. With better workability than wood, modern materials like composite decking can be curved to seamlessly encircle a tree or frame a garden.

4. Raise the curtain on elegant design
Suspending fabric over your deck is a simple, low-cost way to create an inviting retreat space. Fabric can be hung in a straight line or draped from an overhead hoop, pergola or trellis to create a private canopy. Patterned fabrics showcase your personal taste and offer welcome shade, while sheer fabrics add elegance and provide a balance between privacy and preserving views.

5. Achieve off-the-wall creativity with a planted wall
A fun and unusual way to create an open-air retreat is a wall of plants. For decks attached to the house, hanging planters along the height and width of an adjacent wall creates a dramatic visual. Or, a simple freestanding wall along one of the deck’s edges can be built for hanging plants. Choose leafy plants like elephant ears or ferns for a relaxing green backdrop, or add flowers for a pop of your favorite colors. You can even plant herbs for a tasty addition to your grilled recipes.

6. Get on board with a boardwalk
For the ultimate escape from the everyday routine, build a low-lying boardwalk that leads from your deck to a secret retreat hidden by hedges, shrubs or lattice screens. This retreat space does not have to be over-the-top. It can be as simple as a small platform deck with a comfortable chair or hammock. To create your boardwalk to paradise, look for composite decking brands that can be installed with ground and water contact. This can be a great addition to your Keller home.

Whether it's selling your home or finding a new one, we have designed this site so that you can quickly and easily locate the information you are looking for. The Grove Team's client-centered approach results in the best possible outcome for you. Please contact us now to begin the process of achieving your dreams in home ownership