Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Landscaping for Energy Efficiency

You can landscape for energy efficiency by carefully planting trees, shrubs, and even some grasses and vines.

Properly positioning your trees helps you save money in both summer and winter. For example, large deciduous trees create shade during the summer and block the sun, which reduces the cost of cooling your home. Then the deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, letting more sunlight filter into your house during the winter, lowering heating costs. And the good news is that an eight-foot tall deciduous tree costs about the same as one large window awning. You can have the beauty of nature and save money.

Vines growing on the house and nearby shrubs (protecting basement windows) also help provide shade in summer.

Trees can act as windbreaks, which also deceases heating cost. Simply plant trees on the windward side of the house. Fences and some other landscape elements can also act as windbreaks.

You can reduce energy use for caring for a landscape with careful planning. For example, when you have features that reduce lawn space, you do not have to use as much water. If you set up an automatic drip irrigation system, you can save money in electricity and water by sensibly setting the times.

Choosing native plants appropriate for your climate can help you save money in both caring for the plants and energy costs. Find out what plants are best in your area for landscaping for energy conservation. Most cities and states have an office or department that can be contacted for information on how to design a landscape that saves you money on your energy bills.
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