Because cooling costs are high, homeowners are looking for solutions to lower their energy spending. It is true that there are a wide variety of energy-efficient air conditioners being manufactured today, however, there are other measures that you can take to help boost your system's efficiency and effectiveness even further. Though it may not have occurred to you previously, taking the time to strategically landscape around your home can go a long way in promoting energy savings.
Problem
As the sun beats down on your home, its heat can be radiated and absorbed through your home's windows and your roof, which increases the temperature inside your house. The warmer the air inside becomes, the higher of a demand will be placed on your air conditioner for cooling purposes. This will raise your utility bill while putting extra strain on your cooling equipment.
Solution
Utilizing your home's landscaping and shrubbery to your strategic advantage will increase your home comfort and improve your overall energy savings. You can handle this in a variety of ways including:
Trees - The trees around your home can reduce surrounding air temperatures greatly. The shade and the ability of a tree to move and release water vapor can bring these temperatures down by as much as 9 degrees. Because cool air has a tendency to stay near to the ground, the temperature of the space located under a tree can be up to 25 degrees cooler! Planting the right kind of tree at a location where its shadow will prevent heat from radiating through large windows or your roof can greatly boost your energy savings.
Shrubbery - Smaller plants and shrubbery can also help promote energy savings. When planted near your front or back patios, these plants can provide shading that will lower the temperatures of the asphalt or concrete surfaces around your home. The cooler temperatures surrounding your home will prevent excess heat from being absorbed inside.
For more expert advice on utilizing your landscaping to boost energy savings, contact the professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving Broken Arrow since 1985.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock