A huge amount of most people’s electric bills goes to heating or cooling the home. It doesn’t have to be that way. With energy efficient landscaping, you can use the area around your home to lower your heating and cooling costs. It’s remarkably easy and you will end up with a beautiful yard to show for it.
The key to lowering energy use via landscaping is planning. You will need to plan out where every landscape element needs to be. Keep in mind what their purpose is, as well, so you can work more efficiently.
Plant Some Trees
Both trees and shrubs can work as windbreaks, but the bigger plants will also help shade your home. In the summer, this is definitely what you want. Some shade trees will help keep the home cool and reduce the need for air conditioning. However, during the winter, you probably want as much sun as possible.
To ensure both winter and summer are energy efficient seasons, opt for deciduous trees on the south side of the property. These will have leaves during the summer, to provide shade. In winter, the leaves will be gone and the bare branches will allow the sun to shine through. It’s the perfect solution.
Evergreens make excellent windbreaks, which is useful in cooler months. By deflecting the wind, you can keep your heating bills down. Some studies indicate that heating costs can be reduced by up to a third simply by planting some hedges in the right places.
Lawn vs. Concrete
Did you know that grass cools itself? The plants release water through evaporation to cool off, similar to sweating in humans. The end result, according to a study done by the Mississippi State University, is a 13-25° difference in temperatures between the lawn and sidewalk.
Planting grass around your home will help bring the ambient temperature down a little. If you are looking for heat, though, concrete or stone might be your best bet. These hold the heat of the day and release it slowly throughout the evening.
Build a Pond
Bodies of water are excellent temperature stabilizers. Having a pond in your backyard can help reduce energy costs. The water gathers heat during the day and releases it at night. The evaporation also helps cool the area down and in the evening, the warm water will help keep temperatures even.
Technically, a pool will do the same thing, so you can opt for this, if you prefer. As an added bonus, the pool allows for cooling off via swimming. Consider doing a natural pool with plants acting as filters, to keep running costs to a minimum. A pool can end up costing just as much in energy as an air conditioner if you aren’t careful.
Conserving energy is more than just turning off the lights and unplugging your extra appliances when not in use. Plan ahead and use your yard to keep heating and cooling costs down, too. This is a great way to beautify your space, while saving money.
Sam Jones the author of this article regularly reviews companies offering cheap gas and electric using comparison sites across the net to ensure he gets the best deal available.
Article Source: Save Energy with Efficient Landscaping Techniques
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