Energy Efficient Landscaping

Trees are great for providing shade in the yard, but did you know that they can also help cut your cooling costs? Having a shady yard means that your house is also shaded at least part of the day. Direct sunlight on a house is one of the biggest factors in how hot it gets and how hard your air conditioner has to work to cool it off. You will also need to gauge the position of the sun at the different times of year to get the most effectiveness out of your tree placement. Pick spots that will throw shade over your house in summer but expose it to the sun during the cold months when heat in the house is needed.

Shrubs, bushes, and hedges are a vital part of energy efficient landscaping and a nice way to add beauty to your yard while helping your energy bill drop as well. These plants can provide a natural sound barrier between you and your neighbors, block wind and sun rays, shade the pavement or concrete around your home.

Paved areas are a major contributor to the heat around your house, which in turn raises the heat level of your house. By shading these spots, you create a cooler overall climate immediately around your house.

Although many people don’t realize it, plants constantly release water vapor into the air. These vapors reduce the temperature of the area by as much as nine degrees. Energy efficient landscaping should include a well manicured lawn, and plenty of small plants.

*Be sure not to plant the trees too close to the house as the roots have a tendency to grow into the foundation, but planting trees in your yard at a reasonable distance from the foundation will give them plenty of room to grow, and can keep them close enough to shade your house.

Tricks to help cool your home!

As the temperature rises, so does the cost of cooling your home, especially when your cracking down your air conditioner lower than you have to.

Fans and Ceiling Fans
If you’re looking for ways to beat the heat, a ceiling fan can be a great investment for your home. This one appliance can make a room feel 6 or 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs. Fans don’t use much energy, but when air is circulating, it feels much cooler. Ceiling fans are best, but a good portable fan can be very effective as well.
You should remember that even mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel three or four degrees cooler. Also make sure your ceiling fan is turned for summer – you should feel the air blown downward.

Shades, drapes, or blinds
Install white window shades, drapes, or blinds to reflect heat away from the house. Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon) to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans or air conditioners cool more efficiently. Always remember that the best way to keep your home cool is to keep the heat out.

Add Radiant Barrier and Insulation

A Radiant Heat Barrier will reflect heat AWAY from your attic and living space. Otherwise, the heat will simply penetrate into the living space. Some companies use spray on product which is not a True Radiant Barrier. According to the U.S. Dept of Energy a radiant barrier must have a minimum of 90% reflectivity or 10% emissivity (our product is 97 and 3) and have a dead air space above it. Sprays under the best possible application will have 75% reflectivity and 25% emissivity and in real life most are FAR less than that. So spray satisfies neither requirement of a true radiant barrier. Make your home more comfortable year round by adding attic insulation. The project can pay for itself in as little as two years in reduced energy costs. While older homes typically have less insulation than homes built today, adding insulation to a newer home may also pay off.

Have a room you can NEVER get cool enough?

One of the most frustrating problems is having comfort issues with a particular room in your home. These are rooms that you can NEVER get quite cool enough no matter how hard you try.

In order to fix the problem, you must first ask, “What exactly IS the problem”?

Keep the heat out – We want to STOP heat from entering so we don’t have to deal with it in the first place. Start with the windows. If a window catches direct sun you need to shade the window. Solar screens, window film, awnings or natural shade (trees) will all help – take your pick.

Radiant barrier foil should be applied above and around any problem rooms. Ceilings should be sealed airtight and have plenty of insulation and ductwork should be checked for leaks or constrictions.

Pull MORE heat out! If you have done everything to keep the heat out and you still can’t stay comfortable, then the only other option is to pull more heat out. This usually requires the expertise of a good air conditioning contractor. You could need larger ducts, more ducts, additional return vents or a combination of these.

Most times than not Radiant Barrier and Insulation along with proper ventilation will do the job!