A purposely-designed landscape can help reduce your energy costs and keep your Beaufort, South Carolina, home more comfortable no matter the season. All it takes a little extra planning and effort to utilize natural insulation and shade.
Plant Shade Trees
Planting a shade tree can save as much as 25 percent of your home’s energy use, which translates to noticeable savings on your utility bills. Yards with shade trees are up to six degrees cooler than those without trees, so you can imagine how much more pleasant your property can be during the summer months.
Some of the best and fastest-growing shade trees are red maple, red oak, hybrid poplar, northern catalpa, paper birch, American sycamore, and weeping willow. Choose the species best suited to your yard and aesthetic preferences; just make sure they’re recommended for your geographic location.
Plant Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs planted next to a house can serve as extra insulation. Tall shrubs lined on one side of the property serve as windbreaks and prevent chilly air from blowing through drafty windows and walls. Thanks to their insulating properties, shrubs keep your home warmer just by being there, plus they provide a nice level of privacy.
Choose shorter shrubs for maximum insulating power closer to the house itself and plant taller ones further away. Just keep in mind that you may need to trim shrubs regularly to keep them looking uniform.
Outdoor Awnings
Installing an awning over your outdoor air conditioning unit can help lower energy costs. Opinions on just how much you can save vary, but most HVAC professionals recommend shading the exterior unit from direct sunlight so it doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. Installing an awning over the unit can also protect it from falling debris during severe weather, which is reason enough to consider purchasing one.
Landscaping can save money and increase your HVAC system’s life. For more tips, call McDevitt Air at 877-692-9402.
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