Energy-Efficient Landscaping Tips
Sitting under a shade tree on a hot day makes you cooler, and standing by a wall on a cold, windy day makes you feel warmer. It seems pretty obvious. What's less obvious is that you can landscape your yard to offer your home those same benefits. It just takes a bit of planning in the way you site trees, fences, and other elements.
Some statistics to illustrate the point:
- A well-positioned tree can save up to 25 percent of your home's energy for heating and cooling.
- A tree-shaded yard can be up to 6 degrees cooler than a sunny yard. A shaded lawn can be up to 25 degrees cooler than sunny pavement.
- Shading your home's roof can increase your air conditioner's energy efficiency by more than 10 percent.
- A single shade tree equals the cooling power of 15 air conditioners -- and it runs for free!
- Three house-shading trees can cut your cooling bill by as much as half.
- Windbreaks can cut winter heating bills by 10 to 30 percent.
Find the best trees for your yard in Plant Encyclopedia!
After you've saved energy, find out how to save more money with our tips.
Continued on page 2: Regional Strategies for Energy-Efficient Landscaping
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