Plant Trees

Everyone knows that trees are green, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Planting a few strategically placed trees can help to reduce the dependency on air conditioners and heaters.

Planting deciduous trees (trees which drop their leaves in the fall and winter months) is a great way to cool your home and reduce your air conditioning costs during the summer, and your heating bill in the winter. Deciduous trees are best planted on the east, west, and particularly the south-facing sides of your home. This will help shade your home during the hottest months of the summer and help warm your home during the cooler months. Make sure you prune trees so that at least a few branches are shading the roof and the air conditioning unit. This adds up to additional energy savings.

Evergreen trees (trees which keep their leaves year-round) are very useful if you want to create a natural windbreak to reduce those chilly winds that hit your home during the winter. It's common to plant trees for windbreaks on the north and west sides of a home, however, you will need to determine the dominant wind direction for your area and plant upwind. Evergreens do not work well on the south side of the home because their leaves will interfere with natural solar heating in the winter.

Trees should also be planted to shade paved areas. Light energy striking dark pavement, like asphalt, is absorbed – causing the air above to be heated. Light colored pavement absorbs less energy, but can reflect it toward a building. Trees reduce heat and reflection as they absorb light energy and use it to evaporate water. Remember, when planting trees, the greater the maximum height of a tree, the greater the distance from your home it needs to be planted. This isn’t only safer; it will also maximize the benefits your trees can give you.

Shrubs and ground covers can also help improve the energy-efficiency of your landscape as well. Planting shrubs, bushes, and vines next to your home creates a dead air space that insulates your home both in winter and in summer. Groundcover plants will shade the soil and pavement around your home, reducing radiation and cooling air before it reaches your home.