LandscapingforEnergyEfficiency.pdfVIP

Landscaping for Energy Efficiency Source: US Department of Energy Are you looking for cost-effective yet eye-pleasing ways to A well-planned landscape can reduce an unshaded homes lower your energy bills? Planting trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, summer air-conditioning costs by 15% to 50%. One and hedges could be the answer. In fact, landscaping may be Pennsylvania study reported air-conditioning savings of as much your best long-term investment for reducing heating and cooling as 75% for small mobile homes. costs, while also bringing other improvements to your community. Winter You may be familiar with wind chill. If the outside temperature A well-designed landscape will: is 10 degrees F (-12 degrees C) and the wind speed is 20 miles • Cut your summer and winter energy costs dramatically. per hour (32 kilometers per hour), the wind chill is -24 degrees • Protect your home from winter wind and summer sun. F (-31 degrees C). Trees, fences, or geographical features can be • Reduce consumption of water, pesticides, and fuel for used as windbreaks to shield your house from the wind. landscaping and lawn maintenance. A study in South Dakota found that windbreaks to the north, • Help control noise and air pollution. west, and east of houses cut fuel consumption by an average of • 40%. Houses with windbreaks placed only on the windward side This publication covers landscaping tips to save money year- (the side from which the wi