Best Tips for Energy Efficient Landscaping

Best Tips for Energy Efficient Landscaping

Landscaping methods designed to conserve energy are referred to as ‘energy efficient landscaping’. Reducing your energy bills, while transforming your lawn into a natural masterpiece, is the main goal. Tall trees, dense shrubs and bushes and wind blockers, are some practical and cost-efficient ways you can lower the energy consumption of the insulation system in the house.

This blog post has some fabulous tips to help you landscape your garden properly, while sufficiently reducing your energy consumption.

• Plant shady trees

Shady trees can cool your lawn up to six degrees and also reduce indoor temperatures by 25%. Plant large deciduous trees on the western and southern perimeters of your house to keep it shaded during summer months. When your house is cooler, you depend less on your air conditioners and air coolers. With lesser use of air conditioning you can save on your energy bills. In the winter, their bare branches will allow sun through to warm the house, which will help you reduce the need for heating.

• Grow climbers and vines

Climbers and vines grow fast and provide shade in a shorter time period. They also look very beautiful and work nicely planted in any landscape style. When you have archways, pergolas and trellis around the garden or the house, these plants are the ideal choice. Flowering vines will attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which will add to the natural beauty of your garden. However, refrain from growing climbers and vines too close to the house as it can damage the foundation of the building and encourage pests.

• Grow wind blockers

During the winters, installing artificial wind blockers can reduce your heating costs to a certain extent. As the name suggests, wind blockers act as a barrier against strong winds and lowers the temperature of the house. Evergreen trees and dense vegetation with height variations can significantly work. Plant them on the north and north-west sides of the house for optimal results.

• Do not waste water

Landscaping is not just about maintaining a lush green lawn, it also involves a well-thought out gardening plan and consistent maintenance. Water plays a vital role in energy efficient landscaping, which calls for responsible water usage. Determine the average amount of water that’s required to sufficiently tend to your lawn and garden. Watering your plants during the coolest time of the day minimizes waste caused by evaporation. Install a lawn sprinkler with a rain sensor to reduce wastage of water.

• Trap air pockets

Dense shrubs and bushy plants that are positioned near the wall, trap air pockets which help insulate the house all year round. There should be space between full-fledge vegetation and the house. The circulation of air will naturally control moderate the temperature of the house temperature in turn. When plants are too close to the wall, this can cause negative effects like pest infestation inside the house.

A healthy and strategically designed lawn is more than a beautiful space for you to enjoy. When planning your next landscaping project, it’s important to remember the above tips to ensure that you conserve energy. If you are looking for energy efficient landscaping services, Green Valley Irrigation is just a call away.