While there are many variables to account for, such as climate, home insulation, HVAC type, etc., research conducted at Auburn University found that with 17% shade on your house, your power bill will decrease by $10 per summer month (when …
Will too much shade on a house cause problems?
Shade on your home can help reduce energy costs by reducing the cooling requirements inside your home. Air conditioning units also benefit from being shaded and operate more efficiently while shaded.
Shade may result in some nuisance problems, like increased …
If I don't have space for a large tree in my landscape, are there other ways to create shade and conserve energy with plants?
There are many ways to create shade and conserve energy in your landscape without planting a large tree. You may use large shrubbery or small trees to cast shade onto sidewalks, air conditioning units, lower portions of walls, and west-facing …
Which trees provide the "best" shade in summer?
It’s true, not all tree shade is created equal. Broad-leaved, deciduous trees, in general, cast a broader shadow than many evergreens, such as pine species. This is due, in part, to the shape of the mature tree canopy. When grown …
Are pine trees a good option for planting around my home for energy conservation?
All pine species have evergreen needles and grow seed cones; however, pine species vary considerably in where they are found, how big they get, and how fast they grow. Therefore, pine species also vary in their potential for energy conservation …
I want to select the best spot for my tree. How can I find out where the sun will be in the summer and winter?
The position of the sun is expressed in altitude (or elevation) and azimuth, both of which will vary by location, time of day, and time of year. Altitude refers to the height of the sun over the horizon (higher in …
Which trees are recommended for maximum energy conservation?
For most aspects of energy conservation, the bigger the tree the better. Larger trees shade larger areas. Though not an energy-saving feature, large trees also store more carbon. In some ways, trees that use more water save more energy too, …
How does vegetation guide wind to maximize cooling in the summer months?
Strategically positioning vegetation in the landscape can maximize cooling in summer months and help protect from cold winds in the winter. Wind may be accelerated &/or, to some extent, directed by the use of strategically placed trees and other vegetation …
Trees for energy conservation and solar panels – are they compatible?
Trees help conserve energy in three primary ways: casting shade to keep buildings cool, blocking chilly winds to keep buildings warm, and transpiring (evaporating) water to decrease ambient air temperature. Obviously, trees casting shade onto buildings affixed with solar panels …
Are some trees better for energy conservation than others?
It depends on which part of the country you live in.
In northern latitudes with cold winters, dense evergreens planted to block chilling winds are important for conserving heat energy. Likewise, deciduous shade trees with a sparse branching habit are …