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Energy saving landscapes

The home, often times home-base or the only place in which we can seem to get away from it all. Sadly, with the skyrocketing costs of energy; many people are beginning to feel the pinch at their sanctuary. Though it doesn’t have to be that way! You can still indeed enjoy your home, and complete your yard with the hopes of saving a little extra green throughout the years. But how do you do this? By creating and maintaining an energy saving landscape within your entire yard!

While you might already know of the curb appeal that is given by landscape design, did you know that it can help to decrease your annual energy bills? By planting smart, it can help to reduce the heat in the summer and increase the heat in the winter. Thus helping to cut your monthly energy bills by up to fifty percent! This of course is in accordance to the American Nursery as well as the Landscape Association. Stating in which that the proper placement of your plants (IE: trees, shrubs, or even vines) can help to reduce the major fluctuations of temperature throughout your home. Which in turn will save you a little green, while helping to maintain an eye-appealing landscape in the process of it all.

Want to beat the heat of the summer, but can’t afford to turn your air conditioning unit to full-blast on those blistering hot days? That’s fine! Simply plant a couple of trees that will help to shade your home’s roof, walls, and any windows within your home. It has been shown that if you keep a minimum twenty percent of your home’s roof covered, it will help to cut your temperature by at least that much throughout the summer. However, it also acts as a great way to insulate your home in the winter. However, it is important to make sure you don’t plant too big of a tree close to your home. Simply because it can and will destroy your foundation with it’s roots, and can cause havoc for your local power company. If you aren’t sure what kind of tree to plant, you should speak with your local nursery. They will not only be able to help you choose what’s right for your climate and ultimate goal, but can tell you how close you are able to plant it to your home without adverse effects.

When choosing the right kind of tree for your yard, you should learn about both annual and perennial plants. IE: Deciduous or evergreens. Deciduous trees are by far some of the most popular choices, when you are trying to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Simply because their shade will help to cool your home, however once they loose their leaves for the year: the branches will allow for the sun to heat your home easily. The only downside to adding a deciduous tree into your yard is that they get so large! It is important to keep them away from any power lines or obstructions of growth, and to keep them away from your home’s foundation! Again, the distance in which to plant them from your home can be answered by your local nursery. If you aren’t able to find that information from your local experts: once you have chosen the type of tree you’d like to add to your yard, researching the species is always a great thing to do. It will enable you to know how to care for your new tree properly.

Some of the most helpful deciduous trees available are maple, oak, beeches, as well as the ash trees. All of which will give off a fairly large canopy above: while adding to the curb appeal of your home. Thus creating an energy saving addition to your landscape.

However that isn’t the only way to help save a little cash in energy saving landscape design! While trees are usually a common-sense addition to your home. There are many other ways to use the landscaping to your advantage! Did you know that you can reduce the strain of your air conditioning unit, by simply planting flowering trees or shrubs near your unit? Simply because the shade will reduce the strain and work load of your air conditioning unit’s operation. However it’s important to also keep the air intakes clear of any debris from this plant life. Planting them at a minimum of two to three feet away from the unit itself. Which will allow for good air circulation as well.

Another great way to add to your energy saving landscape is by utilizing vines. Adding trellis to your home’s walls, or even as a box around your air conditioning unit. You can train vines such as akebia, honeysuckle, or clematis to grow along your home. Creating a blanket of shade for summer, and insulation during the chillier months. However, you may also wish to trim back your vines slightly if they block off any windows during the winter months. This will help to assure that your home will gain the sun’s natural heat, without contending with the shade of your vines. Not to mention the aesthetics that these vines will provide for your home! Curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal! In addition to your energy savings.

Most of the available types of vine plants will grow quickly. They are especially helpful when you have a limited yard, and are unable to plant trees. Or if you are simply impatient. Many people enjoy seeing savings on their energy bills within a matter of weeks, making vining plants the ultimate go-to for quick money saving options with energy saving landscape design. You should plant vines such as hops if you want to see results soon. They will help to give you savings within a matter of moths rather than years. However, if you find yourself wanting something a little more decorative: and are willing to wait a couple of years for your energy savings.

As with the trees that you may add to your yard, it is important to understand the vines you add into your landscape for energy savings. While you might think that one particular vine is beautiful, it may very well damage the siding of your home, since they retain a certain amount of moisture. This of course can be avoided by conversing with your knowledgeable garden center or nursery staff. Keeping in mind the material that your home is made out of, as well as the placement that you wish for your new vines. They will be able to find you the right kind of vining plant for you and your home.

The third and final organic method of obtaining energy savings through landscape are your shrubs. Shrubs tend to be a wonderful method of saving a little extra cash, without having to go over-board in your landscaping. Not to mention that they add a layer of privacy throughout your yard, making them not only the perfect energy saving landscape tool: but a great method of obtaining curb appeal and privacy as well. Due to their size a shrub can be planted almost anywhere. They can be planted to form fence around your yard, or even along your home to block the sun from your windows. The shrub can also help to keep your home warm against those chilly winter winds, as well as reducing the over-all snow bulk along your home. Thus insulating it from the harsh climate. Fortunately, most of these shrubs are annual plants: making it simple to gain the right amount of energy savings throughout the year.

Another popular method of utilizing shrubs, is by planting them near sliding glass doors or windows. Simply because they can help to transfer heat away from your home in the summer months: as well as share their own warmth in the winter months.

But what shrubs are right for you and your home? While you are able to speak to your local garden center or nursery about the many available shrubs in your area. There are always more to be had. With this said however, you should always take into consideration your home’s climate. If you live in an area with poor soil, you may need to till and enrich it to maintain your new shrubs.

Fortunately however, shrubs as a whole are a fairly sturdy species of plant. Some of the most popular of these hearty energy savers are the serviceberry, dogwood shrubs, forsythia, lilacs, and even mockorange. All of which are available in many different climates, and preform fairly well in both aired and chilly climates.

Now that you know what kind of plants you may use to start your energy saving landscape. It’s now time to discuss a few of the must-know tips and tricks of saving a little energy within your home. Remember, there is no true right or wrong way to save energy with your landscape. However: you should always keep in mind a few of the proven methods of energy saving landscape design.

As the population rises throughout our world, so does the demand for energy. This consumption has become more and more corruptive on your environment, as well as on our own personal budgets. However while our need for energy grows, so does our own personal stance in the ‘green’ revolution. Many people are now realizing the importance of conserving not only their funds, but the world we live in as well. Thus making energy saving landscapes a thing of our present and hopefully future as well.

While there are many people who have been taking advantage of the energy savings capabilities of landscapes for years. It has just now begun to become popular throughout our population. We are just now on a scientific level beginning to understand the magnitude of the savings possibilities with energy saving landscapes.

According to one of the many government studies performed on energy savings with landscape design. There is a possibility to reduce your home’s winter heating bills by up to fifteen percent. While this might seem to be meager savings, the possibilities in the summer months is astounding. With a result of up to fifty percent in energy savings, you can imagine the accumulation of your own personal financial savings throughout the years. All of which can be attributed to energy saving landscapes.

As you have already learned there are three basic plant species that can be used to aid in energy saving. Your trees, vines, and shrubs. However plant life isn’t always the only thing you can utilize in your landscape for energy savings. By using man-made structures such as over-head tarp coverings, umbrellas, and even covered decks: you will find that you can save your home from the blazing sun throughout the year. Thus making it cooler within your home. For many years hedges and fences have been used to protect your home from strangers. But did you know that they also help to protect your home from wind? But, what does that mean in your energy saving landscape? The use of fences can help to prevent the wind, thus stopping a vast majority of the winter’s chill around your home. Thus creating a barrier and a higher temperature in your home through the colder seasons.

Now that you know a little more about energy saving landscapes, it’s time to put your plan into action. What are you waiting for? Talk to your local garden center agent, research the perfect plants, And start saving!