Using electricity inside your home, such as running an air conditioner, plays a large role in how much your electricity bill runs each month. But you might be surprised to learn that what you do outside your home also makes a huge impact. With the proper landscaping, you could actually improve the energy efficiency of your home and save money on your electric bill. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, well-planned landscaping can reduce your air conditioning costs by 15 to 50 percent.
Make your yard work for you with these tricks.
1.Plant trees. Trees offer a large amount of shade and can help shelter your home from the hot summer sun. By limiting the heat that enters your home, you’ll spend less to keep it cool. However, you should remember to plant trees far enough away from your home that they won’t damage your roof or foundation as they grow.
2.Focus on the south side. Trees on the south side of your home can block 70 to 90 percent of the sun’s heat.
3.Opt for deciduous trees. In the summer time, deciduous trees boast broad branches full of leaves to shade your home from the sun. But in the winter, the leaves fall and allow the sun to warm your home naturally.
4.Look for low hanging branches. On the west side of your home, plant trees that are a bit stout. Since the bottom branches will hang low, it will help keep out the sun late in the afternoon as it begins to set.
5.Shade your patio. If you have an outdoor space, you can help keep it cool by planting bushes or shrubs around it. You might also consider planting a climbing vine on a trellis for shade.
6.Plant ground cover. While trees are an important feature for energy efficiency, you should also invest in some ground cover plants such as Lantana, English Ivy or Verbena. Ground cover plants help shade the ground to reduce heat radiation around your home.
7.Use native species. For the best results, you should use plant species that grow naturally in the area. These will thrive with little water and maintenance and provide long-time energy savings.