Faced with escalating cost of energy, homeowners are now looking for ways to conserve energy in their homes. Proper landscaping can make a huge difference in the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable home. It is a cost effective yet eye-pleasing way homeowners can use to reduce heating and cooling costs. Proper use of vines, trees, shrubs, hedges, and grasses can modify the climate around your home thus significantly reducing heat losses during winter and heat gains in summer. A carefully planned landscape can save up to 25% of your winter energy bills and up to 50% of summer heating bills. This means that an average household can save up to $250 annually. Here is how proper landscaping can help you reduce your energy cost in the Bay Area.Faced with escalating cost of energy, homeowners are now looking for ways to conserve energy in their homes. Proper landscaping can make a huge difference in the amount of energy required to maintain a comfortable home. It is a cost effective yet eye-pleasing way homeowners can use to reduce heating and cooling costs. Proper use of vines, trees, shrubs, hedges, and grasses can modify the climate around your home thus significantly reducing heat losses during winter and heat gains in summer. A carefully planned landscape can save up to 25% of your winter energy bills and up to 50% of summer heating bills. This means that an average household can save up to $250 annually. Here is how proper landscaping can help you reduce your energy cost in the Bay Area.
How Landscaping Can Help You Reduce Your Energy Cost
- Shading
Solar energy that passes through the windows and absorbed through the roof is one of the main reasons why people use the air-conditioner. Shading is the most cost effective way to minimize solar heat gain and reduce air-conditioning cost. While planting shade trees, it is important that you do it based on their mature height so that they will be properly spaced out and provide the desired shade. Other factors to consider while planting shade trees include the position of the sun, the overall aesthetic appeal, underground pipes and the height of the roof or walls.
- Wind protection
The other vital element controlled by landscaping that helps reduce energy consumption is wind protection. A properly placed landscape can help in diverting cold wind away from your home which reduces heating costs. The best way to break the wind is by using shrubs and evergreen trees that have low crowns. Be careful so that you don’t plant your trees too close to your house if you are counting on warmth from the sun during the winter. In addition, planting shrubs, bushes and vines create a dead air space that helps to insulate your home in both the summer and the winter.
- Evapotranspiration
Trees and other vegetation absorb water via their roots and emit it via their leaves. This process is known as transpiration. Evaporation, which is the conversion of water from liquid to gas also occurs around trees and vegetation. Together, this process is known as evapotranspiration. The process helps in cooling dry air within your home hence enabling you to reduce your heating cost.
Bay Area Landscape Design That Will Help You Reduce Your Energy Cost
To learn more about how you can plan your landscape design to increase your energy efficiency, please contact Viking Pavers. Viking Pavers is a paver installation company that specializes in installing paver driveways, fire pits, patios, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls and walkways. For a free consultation fill out our online contact form or call 800-941-1014.
