Thoughtful landscape design can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter—a boon for your electric bill. The smart placement and selection of trees enhances not only the appearance of your property but also its energy efficiency.
Well-placed trees can save you up to 25% on your home’s air conditioning bill, and a shady, grassy yard can be much cooler than a sunny, paved yard. Plus, mindful landscaping can provide erosion control and clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.
Plant deciduous trees on the south and southwest sides of the house to provide shade from the sun in the summer. After the trees lose their leaves in winter, the sunshine will help heat your home.
Plant evergreen trees and shrubs on the north and northwest sides of your home to provide shade year-round.
Evergreens also provide a windbreak, so plant them where they will protect the home from cold wind in winter and hot wind in summer. For maximum protection, plant windbreaks at a distance from your home of two to three times the expected height of the mature tree. Windbreaks have the added benefit of reducing noise, sights and smells and creating wildlife
habitat.
In more temperate areas, consider arranging landscaping features to direct summer breezes through the house.
Before planting trees or other plants, consider their proximity to the house and power lines.
Avoid planting any trees too close to the home if they require frequent watering.
If there are overhead power lines in the neighborhood, plan to leave plenty of space between what will be the tree’s mature size and the lines.
To identify the location of underground power lines and other utilities, call 811 before you dig.