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Education Lifestyle

5 Ways to Save Money on Your Winter Electricity Bill

From rainy days spent curled up near the fire to sparkling snowbanks, winter is a magical time of year. However, some of this magic diminishes when you receive your winter electricity bill in the mail.  This season, make sure your home is ready to combat the big chill without breaking the bank by following these energy-saving tips.

winter electricity bill, crosswinds, kyle, tx, homeowner tips

1. Switch your ceiling fan’s rotation

Have you ever looked at which direction your ceiling fan is spinning? If not, take some time to do so now because the blades’ rotation can actually help you save on heating costs. Ensure that your fan’s blades are rotating clockwise because this direction will push the warmer air down.

2. Upgrade your wood-burning fireplace

There’s nothing quite like curling up next to a crackling wood-burning fireplace on a chilly day, but this could be contributing to your high winter electricity bill. If you’re looking to save some money, consider upgrading your fireplace to an EPA certified-model or energy efficient insert. 

3. Let the sunshine in

During the day, take advantage of as much sunlight as possible. Open the blinds and curtains on south-facing windows to naturally heat your home. This not only eliminates the need for the heater during the day, it also opens your home up to a beautiful winter backdrop. 

4. Switch to LED light bulbs

If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, making the switch to LED bulbs could reduce your electricity bill tremendously, even after the winter months are long gone. LED lights use about 75% less energy than traditional bulbs and have a longer life span. 

5. Invest in a smart thermostat

Saving energy is a beautiful thing and smart thermostats can help you do just that. Smart thermostats allow you to select a comfortable temperature for when you get up in the morning and after you head out the door, you can lower the temperature right from your phone. Smart thermostats can adjust to your lifestyle and help you eliminate unnecessary electricity usage.

You don’t have to sacrifice your home’s comfort to keep your winter electricity bill low. Following these homeowner tips will help you save big on your electricity bill long after the winter chill is gone. Save even more on your winter electricity bill when you move into a brand new home at Crosswinds, complete with the latest energy-efficient home technology which will keep electricity costs down throughout the year. Contact Crosswinds today to stay up-to-date on other homeowner tips and to learn more about our master-planned community in Kyle, TX. You can also connect with Crosswinds on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

Image via Getty Images. Creative number 962705200.

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Area Attractions

What Will the Hays Logistics Center Bring to Kyle?

Already one of the fastest growing suburbs in the state of Texas, Kyle is about to get even bigger. A new development sitting west of I-35, the Hays Logistics Center, might be the key to Kyle’s long-term future. When officials broke ground on the new 108-acre lot, they knew it was a step in the right direction. Now, as the first of two 200,000 square-foot buildings sets to open this winter, that dream is about to turn into reality.

What Will the Hays Logistics Center Bring to Kyle?

(Image via haysfreepress.com)

Why does Kyle need the Hays Logistics Center?

Approximately 85 percent of Kyle residents commute outside the city, which is not an ideal situation. With that knowledge, the city began pooling resources to make a place where residents can enjoy a high quality of life while working within the city they call home. The development is one part of the city’s strategic economic development plan, which aims at creating high paying jobs in Kyle. The availability of rentable space enhances the ability of the city to attract employers.

How did it happen?

The new center would not have been possible without the triple freeport tax exemption. This tax means a business does not have to pay an inventory tax on qualified freeport goods that leave the state within a 175-day period. A vote by the Hays CISD back in 2017 paved the way for this tax exemption and the development.

Kyle, a place to call home.

Viewed as a turning point in the city, the Hays Logistics Center is scheduled to house Alsco. The uniform and workwear services company has already started hiring for their Kyle location and is one of the first companies to set up shop at the center. With so much invested in the center by the city and its partners, there are sure to be even more companies that look to call Kyle home.

In Kyle, family comes first, and that’s why this development means so much. The ability to live and work in the city of Kyle extends benefits to both employer and employee. With all that’s going on, there’s little wonder why Kyle, TX is Austin’s next in-demand suburb. This is the perfect time to make the move to Kyle, and Crosswinds has plenty of available beautiful new homes starting from the $200s. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our master-planned community, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to get a glimpse at the Crosswinds lifestyle.

Categories
Education

Back to School with Hays CISD

Sadly, summer break is coming to an end and it’s time to start getting ready to go back to school. For all our Crosswinds students and parents, here are some things to note for going back to school with Hays CISD and the specific Kyle schools that our master-planned community feeds into.

back to school, Hays CISD, Pfluger Elementary School, Chapa Middle School, Lehman High School, Crosswinds, Kyle Crosswinds schools

Going Back to Pfluger Elementary School

If your child is returning to Pfluger Elementary School, then you already know how great of a school it is, and if your kid is just now about to start Kindergarten or you just moved to Crosswinds, you’ll instantly fall in love with this school. At Pfluger, their mission is to encourage students to take educational risks and be accountable to themselves and others. To make sure your kiddos are all set to go back to school, here’s the Pfluger Elementary School supply list for all grades.

Going Back to Chapa Middle School

Middle school is a transitional time in a child’s life. Help your child find an activity they’ll love by looking at the great electives offered at Chapa Middle School. At Chapa, the Cougars put an emphasis on building pride through Character, Opportunity, Unity, Generosity, Accountability and Relationships. Get your middle schoolers all set on supplies with the Hays CISD general middle school supply list.

Going Back to Lehman High School

Time sure does fly! One moment you’re taking them to their first day of Kindergarten and the next they’re in high school. With even more opportunities for students to take classes that peak their interest, Lehman High School offers a wide array of electives and extra-curriculars. You and your teen can check them all out on the Departments page of the school’s website. For your high schooler’s school supplies, Hays CISD doesn’t have a standardized supply list for grades 9-12. For their first day of class, students should bring basic supplies like pens, pencils and paper. Each teacher will inform the students of the supplies they’ll need for that specific class.

While it can be sad when summer break ends because that means less opportunities for impromptu family time, we hope this helps you get your kid ready and pumped for another great school year at Hays CISD. To stay in the know about fun things regarding Hays CISD or the family-fun lifestyle of our master-planned community, be sure to follow Crosswinds on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Image from Thinkstock by Getty Images. Item number: 862753318