Category: Lifestyle

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Area Attractions Lifestyle

Best Picks: Austin Radio Stations

Are you new to Kyle and Austin? Love music and talk radio? Here are some of the best Austin radio stations you’ll want to check out.

Sun Radio Network

Sun Radio promises the “best music under the sun.” Owned by Township Media LLC, Sun Radio Network owns and operates radio stations all around the Texas Hill Country.

Sun Radio stations include:

For everything under the Sun, visit the Sun Radio Network website.

 

ACL Radio 97.1 FM

ACL Radio (97.1 FM) — as in that Austin City Limits — plays songs to compel you to dance, think, cry, sing, or all the above. They may be songs from internationally known musicians or local Austin musicians who may not have a record label or appear on a chart … yet. It’s also the home of Blues on the Green and Unplugged at the Grove.

 

103.5 BOB FM

With a motto of they play anything, 103.5 BOB FM is a community-focused station that does what it can to serve the community and keep everyone informed. They play mostly adult hits.

 

96.7 KISS FM

An iHeartRadio Station, 96.7 KISS FM calls itself Austin’s No. 1 hit music station. Its radio personalities include Billy The Kidd, Anne Hudson, Pooh Washington, and Gossip Greg of the Billy The Kid Show.

 

KASE 101 Austin

An iHeartRadio station, KASE 101 is the home of the Bobby Bones show and Austin’s new country music station. Discover new songs to add to your playlist.

 

102.3 The Beat

Fans of hip hop and hits will want to tune in to Austin’s 102.3 The Beat, an iHeartRadio station. You can catch Pay Your Bills, a show where they help make people’s money worries disappear.

For more radio stations in the area, check out Radio Lineup’s Kyle listing.

 

Share your favorite radio stations with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website.

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Design Education Family Fun Lifestyle

Get Creative with Egg Decorating Ideas

 

Here’s a fun activity to add a splash of color in your life and make everyone smile. These egg decorating ideas will have you doing more than just dipping eggs in the dye. Get ready to try something new!

 

Marbled Eggs

This marbleized effect will amaze and astound everyone. Pour 1 cup of dye into a bowl. Add one tablespoon of vegetable oil and stir with a straw or craft stick. Roll the eggs into the bowl gently for a few seconds. Carefully pat the excess oil and dye with a paper towel and set it on a rack to dry. After it’s completely dry, use a dry cloth to wipe away excess residue.

You can create a marble effect with two colors. Dip the egg into a base color and let it dry. Then do the above with a second color.

 

Blackboard Eggs

Cover the eggs with chalkboard paint and you have a canvas for chalk drawings. You can order chalkboard paint online. The cool thing is that you can erase the chalk and draw a new design.

 

Disco Egg

Channel Donna Summers and turn your egg into a disco egg by diluting craft glue with an equal amount of water. Completely paint the egg with the solution. Pour superfine silver glitter into a bowl and roll the egg around in it. Put it on wax paper to dry completely.

 

Out of This World Eggs

Space fans will love this one. Start with a marbled egg. It could be blue and purple or some other color. After the egg dries, brush it with gold luster dust and glue on stars, planets, and other space décor.

 

Permanent Marker Eggs

You won’t have paint, dye, or glitter to clean up with this one. And you most likely have a permanent marker in your home. Grab a few fine-tipped permanent markers and draw patterns. You could do just black for a monochromatic look. Try stripes, polka dots, diamonds, and abstract for slick-looking eggs.

 

Baby Chicks Eggs

Dip the front of an egg length-wise in yellow dye. (Not quite half of the egg.) After it dries, use a fine-point permanent marker to draw its face, arms, and legs.

 

Votive Eggs

These eggs make great decorations. Poke a hole at the top of the egg large enough to empty it out. Let the empty eggshell dry. Carefully break the top one-third of the shell with a spoon to create a bowl. Dye the egg and allow it to dry. Once dry, insert a tea light candle inside. If you’re concerned about accidental fires, you can order battery-operated tea lights.

 

Washi Tape Eggs

Like the permanent marker eggs, this one requires no dye, glitter, or anything that makes cleanup harder. Pick up a variety of Washi tape designs. Cut them, mix them, and stick them on the egg. And ta-da! Colorful eggs!

 

Share your egg decorating ideas with our Crosswinds community team on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to look at new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually on the Crosswinds website.

 

 

Categories
Area Attractions Lifestyle

Resources in Kyle to Start and Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

While some places are currently shut down, Kyle residents and future residents will be happy to know they have a wealth of health options in this small town near Austin and San Marcos. Whether you’re looking to continue your healthy lifestyle or make changes, you’ll find what you need nearby.

These places will be ready to welcome you after things settle down. Some may be offering virtual services. Check out their websites or contact them.

 


CrossFit Hays

With over 3,000 square feet of space, CrossFit Hays (200 Lehman Rd., Ste. 500, Kyle, TX 78640) is an exercise and nutrition program that serves all ages and fitness levels from beginner to athletic. They provide modifications for everyone based on injuries and current fitness levels.

Their workouts represent 10 fitness domains: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. They also post a Workout of the Day (WOD) every day to provide additional help to experienced athletes while beginners can optimize results.

 

Orangetheory Fitness

Orangetheory Fitness Kyle (5940 Kyle Pkwy., Kyle, TX 78640) is a high-intensity training workout studio. Each OTF studio has three stations: treadmills, water rowers, and floor. A trainer coaches up to 24 or 36 members through each station.

The floor consists of dumbbells, medicine balls, ABDolly, Bosu, and TRX. The studio welcomes fitness levels of all types and sizes. No one needs to be a runner to benefit as it has many power walkers. The workouts change every day. While closed, the company is providing virtual workouts.

 

Soul Yoga PC

How can you not smile when you see the tagline at Soul Yoga (140 Kirkham Circle, Kyle, Texas 78640): “We’re not hot!” In this case, we’re not hot refers to the temperature. Instead of hot yoga, they maintain room temperature between 72 and 78. Just the right temperature to avoid goosebumps while being warm enough for yoga’s deep movements and stretching.

 

Tag’s World Gymnastics

Previously known as Waves Gymnastics, TAG’s World Gymnastics (1151 Bunton Creek Rd., Kyle, Texas 78640) is coming to Kyle soon. Initially, it was going to be 3,000 square feet. But now they plan to expand the gym to 6,000 sq. ft. The original TAG’s World Gymnastics is in Portland, Texas. The gym currently offers gymnastic and tumbling classes for all ages and genders.

 

Weusi Wellness Cafe

Emily Tomlin-Weusi, owner of Weusi Wellness Café (2626 Hunter Rd Suite 101, San Marcos, Texas 78666), wants to provide a place for healthy food options and an environment where the community can relish positive conversations while challenging their physical and mental standards. They serve healthy prepared meals, coffee, smoothies, protein shakes, supplements with lots of love.

The café wants to be a place of hands-on learning and helping people set goals and create meal plans. They work to create delicious meals that range from the low carb chicken curry bowl to the cauliflower taco bowl. The café is partnering with Texas State University to bring in nutrition interns. The café is only a 15-minute drive from Kyle. As of this writing, they’re still open as they offer free curbside pickup.

Here are more health and fitness options:

 

Looking for new homes in Kyle? You can safely explore the homes virtually. Questions? Contact our Crosswinds team.

 

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Education Homebuilder Lifestyle

What You Need to Know About Housing Market Trends 2020

What does the housing market have in store for 2020? And how does it affect your search for a new home?

First, a look at 2019. It started with shrinking home price gains. Fortunately, it regained momentum in the fall. The housing market saw lower interest rates. Mid-priced and lower-end markets had an inventory shortage while upper-end markets had plenty in supply.

And now for a look at 2020.

Housing Market Trends in 2020

Many experts say one of the biggest housing market trends is the decrease of square footage in newly built single-family homes. Buyers want smaller homes for greater affordability and lower property taxes. A smaller property also means less maintenance.

While the home size drops, they remain larger than the new homes of 30 years ago. Zillow reports that the median size of a home in 1988 was 1,810 square feet. Today, it’s 2,386 sq. ft., down from 2,467 sq. ft. in 2016. The home value will slow down to a sustainable pace to put it in line with inflation and wage growth.

Experts are divided on what they think will happen to mortgage rates in the 2020 housing market. Realtor.com predicts inventory will be limited at the entry-level price segment. As a result, it believes mortgage rates will start climbing. Forbes predicts the rates will stay low and maybe go lower.

But with lower rates come higher demand and tighter inventory. Already, buyers are searching for new homes earlier than the norm. Because of this, it’s expected there will be a shortage of new homes by the time home buying season arrives in the spring.

Homeowners are staying in their homes longer. That means fewer older homes for sale forcing buyers to look for newly built homes. Buyers who want affordable homes look in smaller towns outside of major cities.

What the Housing Market Trends Mean for Buyers

So, if you’re in the market for a new home, start looking now before the rates increase and the supply depletes. If you work in Austin or want to have easy access to Austin, you might want to look in Kyle. It’s a small town just 20 miles from downtown Austin and 15 miles from shoppers’ paradise in San Marcos. New home builders in Kyle’s Crosswinds community have inventory available, but buyers snap them up quickly.

The builders have just completed a handful of homes in December with more on the way. The sizes of the homes are in line with what buyers want as they range from 1,500 sq. ft. to 2,242 sq. ft. Residents will be able to swim, play, and enjoy the trails of Windy Point amenity center. Also, special incentives are available. Contact your Crosswinds sales counselor for details.

To learn more about Crosswinds, contact us or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Family Fun Lifestyle

Guide to the Best Holiday Movies in Kyle

One of the best things about this wonderful time of the year is the holiday movies! Whether you watch them at home or at the movie theater, there’s a holiday movie for everyone. Action, romance, family, drama, musical, and comedy. Looking for ideas? Check out these suggestions from each category.

Family

Here’s one that not many have seen unlike some of the other movies. And it’s a winner for the entire family and you can see it at EVO Entertainment in Kyle. Parents say their kids love Frozen II so much that they’ve seen it more than once. What better way to feel like the holidays than seeing a movie with lots of ice and snow?

For something to watch at home, explore this mix of older and newer classics: Home Alone, Elf, The Santa Clause, The Polar Express, Miracle on 34th Street (1947 edition), How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Story.

Action

Yippee-ki-yay! Everyone has an opinion on whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Since many call it one of the best action movies ever made, be sure to watch it if you haven’t yet. The entire movie takes place on Christmas Eve when a company throws its end-of-the-year party.

OK, Jumanji and Star Wars aren’t Christmas movies, but the latest ones are out just in time for this year’s holiday season. Take it to the next level with Jumanji: The Next Level or Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Romance

As if Hallmark does not have enough romantic movies, the family may prefer something with a little less predictability. Love, Actually tells the story of eight different couples in London. Want something you may not have seen? Try The Family Stone.

Musical

Although Christmas isn’t prevalent in the story, The Sound of Music always airs around Christmastime. Most can never get enough of “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” or the breathtaking scenes. Need a little Judy Garland? “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas” by watching Meet Me in St. Louis.

How about a musical with Christmas in the title and the amazing vocal stylings from Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney? Instead of dreaming of a White Christmas, watch the movie and you’ll feel like it’s snowing on Christmas even if it’s sunny outside and it’s not December 25. Want more Bing? Check into Holiday Inn with Fred Astaire and happens to have the “White Christmas” song.

Drama

The Preacher’s Wife with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington is a remake of Cary Grant’s The Bishop’s Wife. A reverend struggles to maintain his marriage and keep his church from falling into the hands of a developer.

Sometimes you must state the obvious because no list is complete without It’s a Wonderful Life? Some people go years without ever watching it because it plays a lot during the holiday season. But really, it’s worth seeing once.

Looking for a whodunit without a holiday theme? If you like mysteries a lá Clue, Agatha Christie, or Murder By Death? Knives Out‘s is your movie and it’s playing at EVO.

Comedy

For the ultimate laughs, count on the Griswolds to come through for you on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Totally serious! And you can see it on the big screen at EVO Entertainment in Kyle.

How many versions of A Christmas Carol are there? Many, but few as good as Scrooged with Bill Murray as a modern-day Scrooge.

If you cannot get enough and want to watch hours and hours of holiday movies with a happy ending, you cannot go wrong with Hallmark’s movies. Also, check Flashback Cinema at EVO Entertainment for upcoming classic movies on the big screen.

What would you add to the list? Connect with Crosswinds on Facebook and Twitter and let us know! We wish you a happy merry everything and here’s to an amazing 2020!

Categories
Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Texas Monthly BBQ Fest

The best part about living in Kyle, Texas is that you’re close to some of the best BBQ in the country. And not only that, but you’re just 30 minutes away from two days of some of the best BBQ in one place! There will be — count ’em — 30 BBQ joints from across Texas at the fest!

texas bbq

What Is Texas Monthly BBQ Fest?

The tenth annual BBQ fest occurs on Nov. 2 and 3 in Austin. Texas Monthly invites the top 50 BBQ joints in Texas to the event. So, you will have the opportunity to try the best of the best BBQ without traveling all over the place!

A ticket gets you free samples of BBQ, sides, and desserts from all participating joints. Check out the BBQ fest lineup to see what BBQ you can sample. Be warned that it’s while supplies last – you may want to head there early for a chance to try it all.

What’s BBQ without cold drinks, desserts, and music? All that will be on hand. The Suffers and Austin’s own Al Dressen’s BBQ Playboys will provide the entertainment. Enjoy the sounds of western swing from Al Dressen’s BBQ Playboys. The band has been around since 1982 and will remind you of the Texas Playboys. The band will have you swingin’ in no time.

The Suffers are an award-winning eight-piece ensemble from Houston that specializes in Gulf Coast Soul. They’ve played more than 300 shows around North America and their first TV appearance was on Late Show With David Letterman. Since then, they’ve performed at The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Before You Go to Austin for the BBQ Fest

The first thing you want to know is that daylight saving time begins the night before the BBQ. Be sure to set your alarm back one hour to ensure you arrive on time. VIP doors open at noon and general admission at 1 pm. The event, held at the Long Center for Performing Arts (701 W. Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704), runs until 4 pm.

Beware that all bags are subject to search. Coolers, storage containers, and guns are not allowed on the property. Any food not purchased at the event cannot enter the building. You can park in the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage (900 Barton Springs Rd.). It’s open on a first-come, first-serve basis and costs $8 per vehicle. You’ll pay at the booth as you enter the garage.

Other parking spaces include One Texas Center Garage (505 Barton Springs Rd.) and Austin City Hall Parking Garage (301 W. 2nd St.). Accessible parking is available at the Palmer Events Center Parking Garage.

If it rains, the show will go on! Kids are welcome, but there are no kid-friendly activities. The only animals permitted are service animals.

All this talk of BBQ is making us hungry. What are your favorite BBQ joints near Dripping Springs? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.

Categories
Area Attractions Events Family Fun Lifestyle

Best Halloween Events in and Near Kyle

Are you ready for a fun Halloween around Kyle, Texas? You and your family will have a witchy good time this Halloween when you attend any of these spooky and family-friendly events.

halloween at Crosswinds

Center Street Trick-or-Treat
Mary Kyle Hartson City Square Park, 101 S. Burleson Rd., Kyle, TX 78640
www.cityofkyle.com/recreation/center-street-trick-or-treat
Saturday, October 26, 2019
1 to 4 pm

Businesses and organizations from the City of Kyle will set up tents at City “Scare” Park for safe and enjoyable trick-or-treating. Ghosts, goblins, and creatures of all kinds and ages welcome! The event will have a costume and pumpkin decorating contest.

Contestants will get a pumpkin and paint to perform a little magic on their pumpkins. After picking up all those treats, head over to Boo-da Halloween for more Halloween hijinks!

Boo-da Halloween
Downtown Buda
www.ci.buda.tx.us/580/Boo-Da-Halloween
Saturday, October 26, 2019
4:30 to 7 pm

Celebrate with the City of Buda at their 17th Annual Boo-Da Halloween event. Dress up in your Halloween best for a chance to win the costume contest in one of three categories: adult, youth, and group costumes. Challenge yourself in the brand-new haunted maze followed by collecting monstrous amounts of candy. Best of all, just show up as there is no registration required.

Spooktacular Autism Halloween Bash
4221 Benner Road, Bldg. 2, Ste. 250 Kyle, Texas 78640
Behavioral Innovations
Friday, October 25, 2019
5:30 to 7 pm

Here’s a great option for those who seek a sensory-friendly Halloween bash with a spooooky bouncy house, pumpkin painting, storytime, and trick-or-treating. Come in costume!

San Marcos Downtown Trick or Treat
Downtown San Marcos, TX 78666
San Marcos
Sunday, October 27, 2019
12 to 3 pm

Want to do more trick-or-treating? Head downtown to San Marcos just 15 miles away from Crosswinds in Kyle. Keep those costumes on, play games, and float through Spooky Alley at this family-friendly event.

Sudbury Schoolhouse Costume Party
208 W Center St., Kyle, TX 78640
Calendar Event
Thursday, October 31, 2019
1 pm

Sudbury Schoolhouse is hosting a costume party and invites kids from Kyle, Buda, and San Marcos to attend. Dress up in your Halloween costume and get ready for music, games, prizes, and of course, trick-or-treating. It’s a free event for Sudbury House students and only $5 for everyone else.

Terror in Transylvania Murder Mystery (18+)
Railroad Train Depot, 100 N. Front Street Kyle, TX 78640
Register
Friday, October 25, 2019
7 pm

Here’s one for the adults. Pick your character from this page. Come with your thinking cap and be ready to solve a murder mystery that will have you spellbound.

Want to find more things to do in Kyle before or after Halloween? Check these out!

Kyle is an awesome place to be for Halloween. You can have it all in your backyard when you explore the new homes at Crosswinds in Kyle.

Categories
Design Homebuilder Lifestyle

5 Home Design Trends to Watch for 2020

With 2020 only a few months away, this is a good time to explore home design trends for inspiration. If you’re browsing new homes in Kyle, you can take these to your home builder. They typically have designers on their team who can turn your ideas for each room into reality.

The interior design trends of 2020 are all about character, personality, and nature. Check out these five 2020 home design trends you will want to consider.

  1. Minimalism

Less is more especially for those who love a clean and calming environment. Although it tends to have less in a room, minimalism can pack a punch and look beautiful. Furniture containing geometrically-clean shapes and lines provide a touch of elegance. Think Scandinavian style.

  1. Blues

Footwear News reports that Laurie Pressman, VP of Pantone Color Institute, PANTONE’s Color of the Year gets its inspiration from the sea. Products are reflecting the colors of nature including florals and raw earth. However, the sea will be the biggest source of creativity.

Naval color

And confirming blue is going to be hot for 2020 is Sherwin Williams. They have selected Naval SW 6244 as their 2020 Color of the Year. This shade of blue feels calming yet strong. Complementary colors include lighter shades of gold, taupe, and green.

  1. Sustainability

An engineered environment echoes the earth trend. What this means is that designers are using science to find ways to create something that is long-lasting. For example, Ecobird’s line of children’s furniture is made of recycled plastics from discarded children’s toys.

Another growing trend is the use of terrazzo, a composite material with a seamless finish containing flecks of marble, quartz, granite, or glass. It’s been around since the 1920s as it appears widely in art deco. Adding terrazzo in your home will give it a retro-glam look.

  1. Natural Materials

The natural colors of wood continue to be a winner. One of the trends of 2020 is the use of darker wood like chocolate and cinnamon as well as natural cork, which works well on walls and doors. Enhance the spaciousness, warmth, and comfort by playing with the lighting. Wood tends to pop with bright lighting from ceiling lights and spotlights.

  1. Ethnic Elements

Considering the diversity of our world, you have many possibilities in playing with ethnic elements in your space. Maybe you’ve picked up wall hangings on your international travels or browse international-focused shops that offer accents, furniture, and other unique elements to enrich the space.

Changing up the look and feel of a room doesn’t require a complete makeover. Just add an accent or two, a new piece of furniture, or fresh coat of paint can invigorate the space. You can even use contrasting colors, which will create a unique vibe. Ask the Kyle builders about implementing these design ideas in your new home.

Categories
Area Attractions Family Fun Lifestyle

What You Need to Know About Kyle, Texas and Austin

People looking to live in a place with small-town Texas charm that’s a short drive to Austin will want to explore the Kyle, Texas, community. It’s the fifth fastest-growing city in the state of Texas. Residents have many reasons to love living in Kyle and one of the biggies is its location.

Austin Texas skyline

Where Is Kyle, Texas?

Kyle is only 15 miles south of Austin and 63 miles northeast of San Antonio. Known as a gateway to the Hill Country, the town sits right on the I-35 corridor for easy access to retail, entrainment, dining, educational hubs, and business centers.

It’s only 15 miles from shopper’s paradise in San Marcos with its giant outlets. In fewer than 20 minutes, you can be in New Braunfels to float on the Comal River, visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark, and travel back in history at Gruene Historic District.

As of 2018, Kyle has 47,000 residents with many more to come. The City of Kyle is officially the Pie Capital of Texas. Yes, it’s trademarked by the U.S. Patent of Trademark Office. You have plenty to explore at Kyle historical sites give you a first-hand glimpse into its past.

Its location puts you near some of the best of Austin. Here are some of the Kyle residents’ favorites.

Barton Creek Habitat Preserve

The average high temperature in Kyle for July is 96 degrees. During the summer, residents head up to Barton Creek, which flows 40 miles east through Austin. Then, it remerges in Barton Springs, a spring-fed pool in Austin’s 358-acre Zilker Park. The pool contains four underground springs to maintain its average temperature of a cool 69 degrees, a perfect way to savor summertime.

The Barton Creek Habitat Preserve contains more than 4,000 acres in the Austin suburbs. It protects endangered species like the Barton Springs salamander. The preserve also preserves the water quality of Barton Creek and Barton Springs.

Zilker Park

If you visit Barton Springs, you’ll also want to take advantage of Zilker Park. It happens to be the home of the annual ACL Music Festival. Occurring over two weekends in October, more than 200,000 fans attend the festival to catch their favorites as the lineup contains more than 100 performers.

It’s also where you’ll find Lady Bird Lake, one of the best places to kayak. Surrounding the lake is a hike and bike trail. Every year, radio station KGSR hosts a summer concert series in the park. You can rent boats, browse the botanical garden, explore the nature and science center, or take in a show at Zilker Hillside Theater.

East Austin’s Hip Eateries

Austin has no shortage of restaurants as people rave about the eats there, especially on the east side of town. You’ll find something for everyone with options such as interior Mexican food, artisanal butcher shops, amazing sushi, several breweries, taco trailers, steaks, spun ice cream, several bars and breweries, and of course, barbecue.

People love the walkability of East Austin, and hop from spot to spot enjoying drinks at one place, a meal at another, and dessert at yet another. Just do a search for “east Austin eateries” or check out Eater Austin, and you’ll find a wealth of fabulous suggestions.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA)

Whether you go on vacation or a business trip, you have an easy drive to Austin’s airport. Finding the right flight is a breeze with many airlines offering nonstop flights from Austin to many U.S. airports and even Canada, Germany, and London.

Residents love Kyle because it provides a little slice of heaven and a wonderful location with easy access to all the resources they want and need. You can find endless opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors and connect with your neighbors in the Crosswinds community in Kyle.

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Lifestyle

5 Quick and Easy Tips to Save Money on Your Home Energy Bills in the Summer

While swimming feels refreshing during the hot Texas Summer, it causes the air conditioners to work in overdrive. And when they toil harder, it sends the home energy bills soaring. Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals the average monthly home energy bill in Texas for 2017 was $122.47.

Moreover, electricity prices reach the max in the summer. The good news is that you can ease the pain while staying cool. Here are five ways to quickly lower home energy bills to save money and boost energy efficiency.

  1. Request an energy assessment

An energy auditor comes to your home to analyze your energy use. To get the best results, have a copy of your annual energy bills ready for the auditor. The auditor conducts tests and finds ways to increase energy efficiency. It’s possible to get a free audit. For more information about energy audits and finding an auditor, visit the Department of Energy website.

  1. Turn off the air conditioner when you don’t need it

When the last person leaves the house, the person can adjust the air conditioner to at least 78 degrees F to save energy. People who can sleep in a warm environment can yield huge savings by keeping the AC at least 78 degrees. Or you can do it all automatically with the next tip.

  1. Use a programmable thermostat

You don’t have to keep the thermostat on 85 degrees to lower your bill. Fortunately, you can invest in a smart thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature based on whether someone is home or in a room. The advantage of a programmable is that you don’t have to remember to turn the AC down or up. And it can start cooling your house just before the first person comes home.

  1. Choose ENERGY STAR appliances

The ENERGY STAR certified label isn’t a marketing tool. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designates a product as ENERGY STAR certified when it meets rigorous U.S. government energy efficiency guidelines. ENERGY STAR certified air conditioners use about 15 percent less energy than non-certified products.

  1. Replace filters regularly

Replace the filters on the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit every month especially in the summertime. Dirty filters make the cooling system exert more to push air throughout the home. Change the filters monthly or at least every other month. This can deliver energy savings anywhere from 5 to 15 percent.

If you’re looking at new homes in Kyle, Texas, check out the Crosswinds master-planned community. Its builders use energy-efficient equipment to help save money. When browsing new homes, ask the builder about its energy-saving features.