Thoughtful Landscaping Helps Reduce Cooling Bills

Landscaping can reduce your energy costs this summer, says the American Association of Nurserymen.

“While everyone knows landscaping can make your yard more beautiful, few realize that it can reduce cooling bills as much as 50 percent,” the association says in a brochure entitled “Pleasures of gardening: practical tips and ideas for spring and summer.”

The brochure suggests deciduous trees are a good bet because in summer they block the sun while in winter they allow the sun to shine through, providing warming.

For best results locate deciduous trees on the southern and western side of the house.

Another suggestion: provide a shady place for the air-conditioning unit in the summer.

Vines are described as another way to cut cooling costs.

“During summer the vines can provide direct shade on the walls of your house. This keeps the surface temperature down and reduces the amount of heat conducted into your home. The result is a more comfortable and livable environment.”

The association suggests training vines to grow up a trellis, an arbor or a porch for summer cooling, adding that, like trees, deciduous vines are a good choice.

One caution: “Keep in mind that not all vines are a good choice for landscaping as some may damage paint, wood, brick or shingles by retaining moisture.”

“When using vines in your energy-saving landscape check with the specialists at your local gardening center to see what types to look for and what types to avoid,” the brochure recommends.

Shrubs are described as “another easy way to take advantage of the hidden benefits of energy landscaping.” The association suggests planting them to form a living fence between the sun and architectural features that are prone to summer-heat transfer, such as sliding-glass patio doors and windows.

It suggests shrubs planted primarily for shade should be tall enough to block the late-afternoon sun, meaning they will need to be from 6 to 8 feet tall.

Some other tips:

“A single urban tree can provide up to $273 a year in air conditioning, pollution fighting, erosion and storm water control and wildlife shelter benefits.

“Each tree removes 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air each year and releases about 13 pounds of oxygen - enough for a family of four.

“Trees can reduce bothersome noise up to 50 percent and can mask unwanted noises.”