Summer is in full swing, and everybody I know that has a yard is in full landscaping mode -- planting flowers and vegetables, mowing lawns, all that fun stuff. What most people don't realize, however, is that all that outdoor labor can reap financial dividends in addition to the aesthetic and the culinary.
There's nothing new or revolutionary here, of course -- people have been incorporating strategic landscaping into their habitats since... well, since there were people, most likely. But in today's age of cheap energy, mobile populations and rapid development, it's easy to forget some of the basics principles of landscape design that have helped keep us comfortable for millenia.
A few things to keep in mind when you're reconfiguring your outdoor areas this summer:
Deciduous trees for shade:
Shading your home with deciduous trees is one of the best ways to keep a home comfortable in a climate with hot summers and chilly winters. In the summer, trees prevent sunlight from reaching your home, keeping your home cool. (Cheaper than air conditioning, too.) In the winter, after the leaves are gone, they allow sunlight to reach your house and warm it up. Perfect.
Coniferous trees as windblocks:
Thicker evergreen trees are a great way to block wind from whipping across your house and cooling it down in the winter. Consider planting evergreen trees on the north side of your home, where they will protect your home from the wind in the winter, but won't block the precious sunlight (which reduces the amount of energy your home needs to consume to stay comfortable) coming from the south.
Bushes near windows for shade & windblocking:
Bushes around your house provide much the same benefit as trees, as they absorb the sunlight that would otherwise reach your home, heating it up. In the winter, bushes on the north side of your home can act as a windblock (like coniferous trees), preventing the cold northern winds from battering your home and driving your warm, conditioned air outside.
Other considerations:
The best energy efficient landscape design will vary from climate to climate. As Old House Web points out, for example, in hot and humid climates like the American Southeast, water-intensive trees should be kept away from the house as they can contribute to moisture and the problems it brings (e.g., mold and rot). In hot, dry climates, plants that block wind aren't as high a priority as they would be in colder climates.
All told, keeping your home's comfort and energy efficiency in mind when landscaping around your home can reap benefits that extend beyond the aesthetic. While numbers will, of course, vary from home to home, and climate to climate, there's a good chance that just a few trees or shrubs could save you a considerable amount of money in the short and long term.
Any other tips for landscaping to save energy? Let us know in the comments.
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