5 strategies to beat the Texas heat this summer

When the temperatures start going up, so do your energy bills. If you’re looking for ways to save energy and keep your Keller home cooler at the same time, there are a number of strategies you can use that will save you money and make you and your family more comfortable all summer long.

1. Get smart about air conditioning
Cool your home using the latest smart technology. Smart windows and portable room air conditioners are great options to beat the summer heat, as they deliver up to 40% more energy efficiency than the minimum Energy Star requirement. Unlike traditional room air conditioners that turn on full blast and then shut off completely to cool a room, new technology adjusts its speed constantly to maintain desired temperature levels — saving energy and reducing your energy bill. They have options for just about any room size, from those that can cool an area up to 800 square feet, to window units like the that cool areas from 800 to 1,300 square feet.

The technology also works with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can change your air conditioner settings with voice commands at home.

2. Block the sun
It may seem obvious, but the heat of the sun each day is what can make rooms in your house unbearably hot. Take a look at the window treatments you currently have, starting with the ones that see the most sunlight during the day. Using effective blinds, shades, shutters or curtains can help shield especially south-facing rooms from getting overly hot. Likewise, smart landscaping outside those windows can also help. Consider planting trees and shrubs strategically in your yard to help shade your home, which can also help shelter your house from harsh winter winds. Effective planting can be a great long-term aid in keeping your home cooler. A good landscaping consultant may be able to help you develop a plan.

3. Keep hot air out, cool air in
Just as you want to keep out cold air in the winter, it's a good idea to check all your windows, doors and insulation for their ability to keep hot air out and cooled air in. Replacing old, leaky windows or using caulk to seal up drafty spots can be a very effective energy saver in the summer as well as the winter. A professional energy audit conducted by your energy company can help you find leaks that may add up to a lot of wasted energy. Then you can develop a plan to replace or repair any windows, doors or areas of insulation where you are losing the most cooled air in the summer.

4. Turn off what you’re not using

You’d be amazed how much energy you can save just by consistently turning off all the lights and other electronics when they are not being used. It's also a good idea to replace your old lightbulbs — which produce heat — with LED bulbs, which are both cooler and use less power.

5. Use appliances strategically

Avoid heating up the entire house by not using your oven on hot days. Instead, cook with your microwave, on the stovetop, using a toaster oven or grilling food outdoors. Run the large appliances such as your clothes washer, dryer and dishwasher during off-peak hours, like during the evening.

All of these approaches can help Keller homeowners save tons of energy as well as money, and will keep you and your family cooler throughout the summer. 

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. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Smart home upgrades for Keller homeowners

These days, home upgrades are increasingly focused on one key feature: connectivity. In 2019, buyers want smart homes they can easily control from anywhere. From smart HVAC and sprinkler systems to connected garage door openers, it’s all about creating convenience and comfort.

Here are four examples of smart home improvements that add value for Keller homeowners:

1) Fully connected security systems

Security systems are nothing new, but the technology used to arm those systems is changing rapidly. Home security companies now offer fully connected systems that allow users to protect and monitor their homes from any smart device. Whether it’s a live video feed, the ability to lock and unlock doors remotely or just checking that all sensors are working properly, integrated security systems offer peace of mind. Having the infrastructure in place can be a selling point for buyers who want to make sure their new home is as safe as possible, given they’ll only have to set up the monitoring subscription upon move-in.

2) Smart garages for convenience and safety

According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2019 Cost vs. Value survey, a garage door replacement is the number one home improvement project in terms of return on investment. But homeowners are taking it a step further and installing new technology to make the garage more user friendly. For example, the connect garage door openers include technology built in to improve convenience and functionality. 

Not only is the opener quiet — ideal for attached garages — but the connectivity features allow you to check whether your garage door is open or closed, grant individual access with virtual keys, instantly know when someone is operating your garage door (authorized or not), and provide a log of when each opener was used — all from your phone or smart device. You can open the garage door remotely for delivery people, a housekeeper or for your child coming home from school. Considering your garage is one of the most accessed points in your home, this is a useful security feature and proves that garages offer more than just storage space. With the right connectivity tools and features, they can provide convenience that will be attractive to future owners.

3) Smart thermostats save energy, increase comfort

As home improvement trends go, increased connectivity is rivaled only by the desire for more energy-efficient homes. Smart thermostats accomplish both these aims and can increase the value of your home in the process. Smart thermostats let you easily control the temperature in your home from any connected device. You can set a daily schedule for your heater, adjust the temperature in individual rooms or let the system program itself based on your usage history. For energy-conscious buyers, this kind of technology provides a way of living that’s as aspirational as it is attainable.

4) Programmable lighting is a must-have

Smart lighting has turned from a novelty to a practical tool as products have gotten more advanced. Programmable lighting allows you to schedule when your lights will come on, turn lights on and off remotely, or change the lighting to improve aesthetics. With a smart lighting system, you’ll never have to get out of bed to turn the lights off downstairs, and you can always come home to a fully lit house, boosting your sense of security. With these kinds of applications, your home’s lighting can go from a ‘given’ to a must-have, attracting buyers like a moth to a flame.

New, smart products are hitting the market every day. For Keller homeowners savvy enough to incorporate this technology into their homes, they’ll not only be more connected, but they’ll likely see more offers rolling in when it comes time to sell.

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. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

How Keller homeowners save money with roof replacement

Replacing an aging or damaged roof is an important step in providing crucial protection from the damage the elements can dish out — from heat, wind and rain, to snow, sleet and hail. But Keller homeowners may not realize that the type of roof shingle they choose can make a big difference, not only in the protection it offers to the home, but also in the cost of their homeowners’ insurance.

Here are a few things homeowners should keep in mind when looking to save money with a new roof.

Roof replacement can save money

Even though it’s initially costly, homeowners in Texas can actually save money by installing a new roof, as long as they choose the right shingle.

For years, insurance carriers have been incentivizing homeowners to install shingles that are rated for impact resistance in an effort to reduce the number of roof claims. As a result, using qualifying impact-resistant roofing products may qualify for significant premium discounts on homeowners’ insurance.

The nudge toward impact-rated shingles (sometimes called “IR” shingles) is increasing. Recently, some municipalities in Colorado went as far as mandating UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Resistance classification for all new roofs, a trend that’s anticipated to continue growing into other severe-weather states (Texas is known for hail.)

The type of shingles you use matters

Most major shingle brands now have a UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Resistance classified shingle available, but the way the shingles are reinforced differs widely. The newest IR asphalt shingle on the market reinforces the entire back of the shingle with a strong polyester fabric. Other methods used to reinforce IR shingles include using fabric over just portions of the shingle or coating the shingle with another substance.

While they are distinctly different than traditional shingles because of their reinforcement, these UL 2218 classified options still offer the pleasing aesthetics homeowners have come to expect from modern asphalt shingles. Heritage IR features the same naturally-deep shadow lines that portray the look of wood shakes, and they are available in some of the company’s most popular color choices.

Check with your insurance carrier

Many major insurance providers offer premium discounts for UL 2218 Class 4 classified shingles, but the percentage of savings and the areas of the country where the discount applies vary by insurance carrier. Homeowners should check with their insurance carrier online to see a list of pre-approved shingles and regions, and check with their local agent for a quote of the premium discount for their specific home. Boyd with Academy Roofing said that he’s seen premium discounts close to 30 percent in Colorado for Class 4-rated products.

Learning about the newest and most effective shingles on the market can help save money and worry, both by protecting the home from the top down and potentially reducing insurance costs. Keller Homeowners contacting their insurance carrier and getting educated about roofing options can help them make a smart choice for both their homes and their wallets.

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. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.

Spring refresh tips for Keller homeowners

Every spring, the changing season brings a desire for renewal. It’s a time of growth, transition and revitalization. The latest trend in home cleaning reveals what many of us yearn for — not just decluttering, but a fresh start, a clean slate. We dream of an open, airy, bright home where everyone can thrive and be their best selves. But how do we get there, when our houses are filled with stuff — not to mention the accumulated dust and stale air of winter?

Here are three ways you can re-energize your Keller home and yourself this spring.

Take a tour of your home

Whether mentally or literally, tour your home with a notebook or tablet and jot down the areas causing you the most tension or stress when you look at them. Is it the laundry pile that never seems to go away in the bedroom? The kitchen cabinet that’s so overstuffed that something falls out every time you open it?

Prioritize the ones that bother you the most. Take a good look at each problem and prepare for a radical declutter.

Maybe the laundry pile exists because your closets and dresser drawers are overfull. When was the last time you assessed your pajamas or jeans collection? As recommended by the Kondo technique, take out the entire contents of the pajama drawer, hold and look at each item. Which ones do you really love to wear? You'll be able to fit them back in your drawer more neatly when you have fewer items. For the others, if you don’t love them, it’s time to let them go. If you would love them “if only” they didn’t have a button missing, but you haven't had the interest in replacing the button in over a year, it’s time to move on.

Same thing with your kitchen cabinet — take out all the pots and pans and examine which ones are taking up space, but you never use. For items you only use once a year, like a roasting pan big enough for a turkey, store them elsewhere.

Do the deep clean

Once you’ve tackled a couple of the biggest trouble spots, you’ll start to feel lighter and less stressed every time you enter that room or area of the house. You can now accomplish the cleaning and dusting under and around the problem area that you couldn’t manage before.

For each area you declutter, clean thoroughly before putting back the items you're keeping. If it's a drawer, wipe out the dust and grime and make sure it's dry before replacing items. For a closet or room in the house, dust and wipe down from top to bottom, removing dirt from ceiling to floor.

Refresh your rooms

Typical cleaning products won’t have the desired effect of leaving your room not only looking good, but smelling and feeling good every time you enter it.

Take the time to clear, refresh and revive your space and your mind with aromatherapy. Using essential oils will result in not only refreshing the entire environment of your Keller home, but will invigorate and energize your spirit. Spring cleaning gives you the chance for renewal — and inspires a sense of new purpose as you enjoy the changing season. Let your home become a vital part of your re-energized attitude this spring.

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. Call 817-337-0000 for Keller Home's for sale in Keller ISD.