Landscaping for Energy Efficiency

Conserving energy is just as important outside of a home as it is inside. Careful landscaping can reduce heating and cooling costs all year long and save energy, which ultimately will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help protect the environment. An investment in energy efficient landscaping can pay for itself in fewer than eight years.

For landscaping, homowners need to know the characteristics of their regional climate. North Carolina is part of the country's Hot-Humid region, and homeowners here should plan to take advantage of shade in their landscapes. Homeowners should also look at the property's microclimate - the climate of the area immediately surrounding the home, which may offer different amounts of moisture, wind, or other climate features.

Shade trees and other foliage can lower air temperatures by up to 9 degrees, which can reduce home cooling costs. When choosing foliage for the Hot-Humid region:

• Look for trees and other foliage that provide shade but still allow low-angle winter sun to reach the home and yard. Plant deciduous trees that offer shade in the summer time yet allow the sun's warm rays to reach the home in winter.
• Plant a tree to shade the home's air conditioning unit. This can increase the unit's efficiency by up to 10 percent.

Shrubs and vines can also provide shade to a home or areas surrounding it, such as walkways or other pavement. Shading the pavement cools the air surrounding it before that air reaches your home's walls and windows. In the winter, trees (especially dense evergreens) planted as windbreaks can cut the wind chill of the air around your home.

Illuminate your landscape with solar outdoor lighting. These lights use solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity, which is stored in batteries to illuminate the lights when skies darken.

While outdoor solar lights will work in almost any area of the United States, it is important to pay attention to the number of hours of sunlight required for each fixture and ensure that the fixture is placed such that it will receive enough sunlight. When placing and maintaining outdoor solar lighting, watch for landscape features, such as vines or shrubs that may reduce the amount of sunlight the fixture receives. Also make sure to clean off dirt, bird droppings, or anything else that may keep sunlight from reaching the solar unit.

See http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/landscaping/ for more information on energy conscious landscaping.

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