Want to save money on your energy bill without investing in expensive retrofits and renovations? Get a shovel. Strategically planting trees and shrubs around your home is a tried-and-true way to save.
In summer months, a tree’s shade cools the surrounding air temperatures by 9 degrees, and carefully positioned trees can reduce a household’s energy consumption by an average of 25 percent, according to estimates from the U.S. Department of Energy. Using computer models, DOE has determined that proper placement of only three trees can save an average household between $100 and $250 in yearly energy costs.
This spring, make your yard work for you with these landscaping tips:
- To block summer heat while letting sun filter through in the winter months, plant deciduous trees or those that lose their leaves seasonally. Evergreens and shrubs, on the other hand, are ideal for providing continuous shade and blocking heavy winds.
- Shading a window air conditioner can increase its efficiency by as much as 10 percent, but position shade plants more than three feet from unit to allow for proper airflow. Shading the outdoor condenser unit of an HVAC unit is not recommended. Debris can build up and hamper HVAC performance. For more information, see “Keeping your cool.”
- When selecting shade trees, keep in mind the mature height of the tree and the shape of its shade canopy in relation to the height of your home.
- Shading takes time—a 6- to 8-foot deciduous tree planted near a house will begin shading windows in a year. Depending on the species and the home, the tree will shade the roof in five to 10 years.
Important safety tip: Never plant trees beneath or near power lines. By maintaining a minimum 20-foot buffer zone between your trees and utility rights of way, you help your local electric cooperative prevent power outages during storms.
For more on using trees to save energy, click here.