New Braunfels Edition | July 2025

Real estate

Rebates oered by New Braunfels Utilities look to give money back to customers while encouraging conservation. Rebates are programs designed to assist NBU customers in implementing water or energy conservation practices or technologies at their homes, said Andrew Cummings, NBU’s director of customer solutions. The rebates are credited to customers’ bills. NBU oers a variety of commercial and residential rebate programs for its customers, which have an average of 300-500 participants annually, Cummings said. “It’s relatively low when you consider that we have a total customer base of around 70,000 for electric and about 55,000 for water,” he said. NBU rebates aim to lower utility bills

Average number of rebates submitted by month from 2022-2025

40 60 80 100

20 0

Jan.

Feb.

March

April

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS UTILITIESCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Tolerant Tree rebate requires a customer to purchase a drought-tolerant tree for their home and reduce watering while providing shade. The utility oers a Gardening Guide rebate where residential customers can purchase the guide and learn best management practices for planting and maintaining drought-tolerant landscaping. NBU oers an Ultra-High Eciency Washing Machine rebate where customers can purchase an Energy Star or Consortium for Energy Eciency- rated washing machines to conserve water.

The utility has provided $1.61 million in cost savings to its customers through rebates from 2020-2024, according to an email from Enterprise Communications Manager Becca Graham. “Our rebates are designed to assist with number one, the initial cost, but then the target technology that we’re getting,” Cummings said. “We want them to have savings that would equate with payback in [a] certain amount of years.” NBU oers four residential-only rebates, including an Air Conditioner Checkup and a Drought-Tolerant Tree rebate. The Drought-

From weddings to storage: How 1 local family built a smarter facility in New Braunfels Sponsored by: New Braunfels Executive Storage

When COVID-19 brought weddings to a stand- still, one business owner saw an opportunity to pivot. After selling their wedding venue, Briscoe Manor, located in Richmond, in 2021, Jorden Mahler and his wife began building something to last. “I told my wife, Stephanie, ‘I want to do something that’s bulletproof, something that’s likely going to survive through anything,’” Mahler said. at vision became New Braunfels Executive Storage, a locally owned, family-run facility that ocially opened April 28 and oers a wide range of storage options tailored to local needs. What types of units are available? “We have a little bit of everything,” Mahler said. “We have climate [controlled units], which are doing really well. en we have traditional, non-climate [controlled] units.” What sets it apart from other storage facilities? One word: convenience. Located on Hwy. 46 near neighborhoods such as Meyer Ranch, Copper Ridge, Vintage Oaks and Mission Hills Ranch, the facility is just minutes from thousands of local homes.

“I personally had a storage unit across town,” Mahler said. “I would never go over there simply due to its proximity to our home. Our location is very important.”e development sits on 9 paved acres and includes modern conveniences such as a break room, customer restroom, ice/water kiosk and vending machines. Soon, food trucks will be available to anyone driving by, oering a unique aspect to draw the New Braunfels community together. “I have a space along the highway for food trucks that I want to invite out. ere aren’t any food trucks out this way, so I think it would be great,” Mahler said. “[We could] team up with a coee [truck]. It’s going to be nice for people just to whip in, grab a coee and go into town.” How does the leasing process work? Leasing is designed to be seamless. Mahler is on-site during the week. To cater to all prefer- ences, customers can either lease through him or online. For added convenience, a QR code on the front door directs after-hours visitors straight to the rental site.

“People are dierent, so I make it easy and painless [for everyone],” Mahler said. “I think it’s

worked for everybody so far.” How secure is the facility?

Scan To Rent Now.

e facility was intentionally designed for secu- rity, with perimeter buildings forming a fortress style layout, access-controlled gates, fencing and over 45 surveillance cameras. “From an architectural standpoint, all of the non-climate buildings are on the outside perim- eter, so that creates a wall around [the facility],” Mahler said. “We also have fencing and boulders in place. Really, the only way into the property is through the gates themselves.”

Covered parking: aordable protection from sun and hail Pull-through units: easy in-and-out access for RVs and fth wheel travel trailers Open parking: low-cost option for trailers or equipment In addition to those options, the facility is also well equipped for boat and RV owners, with options for dierent needs:

4655 State Hwy 46 W. | 830-310-2662 Nearby: Copper Ridge, Mission Hills Ranch, Vintage Oaks, and Meyer Ranch

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