Plant Beautiful Trees | Save Money and Energy

Money may not grow on trees, but strategically planted trees can help you save energy and save money.

Smart landscaping considers many variables.  If you plan your landscaping with your home’s energy efficiency in mind, you can use trees to reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool your home.

The role of trees will depend on the climate in which you live.  According to the Energy Savers website , trees can help with the following:

• provide shade in the summer
• direct summer winds toward your home
• block winter winds

Trees for Shade in Warm Climates
In warm climates, positioning trees to shade windows and rooftops can reduce undesired solar energy heating.  A tree can reduce surrounding air temperatures by as much as 9° F. Positioning a tree to shade the air conditioner unit can also increase the unit’s efficiency by 10 percent.  For more savings, consult your local electric company to determine rates and potential savings.

Trees & Shrubs to Block Winter Winds
Windbreaks typically consist of large, dense evergreen trees planted close together some distance from the house.  A windbreak reduces winds for a distance up to 30 times the height of the trees.  This essentially reduces the wind chill factor.  Ideally a windbreak is located a distance from the house equal to two to five times the height of the trees.  Shrubs can also be used to keep snowdrifts away from the house.

Landscaping & Energy Efficiency
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that landscaping for energy efficiency provides a return on the initial investment through energy savings in approximately 8 years.  However, it isn’t as simple as planting a few trees.  Homeowners should make sure not to block the sun or wind that is helpful.  They should consider the orientation of the home as well as the characteristics of the trees.

For example, deciduous trees can block the sun in the summer but allow the sun to help heat a home in the winter.  A homeowner should consider the size, shape, and orientation of the shadow before choosing a location for the tree.

Similarly, windbreaks are typically planted to the north and northwest of a home. Windbreaks to the south of a home could block the winter sun, which is helpful for heating a home.

More helpful information can be found at these resource websites

• Landscaping for Energy Conservation (AgriLIFE Extension, Texas A&M System)

• Energy Efficient Homes: Landscaping (IFAS Extension, University of Florida)

• Landscaping for Energy Conservation (download pdf from the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service)

• Energy Saving Landscapes (Sustainable Urban Landscape Information Series, University of Minnesota)

TrackBack URL for this entry:

http://blog.allconnect.com/plant-trees-save-energy/trackback/