Summer is an enjoyable season mainly because you get to bask in the sun while relaxing on a sand beach. However, it is not all that fun when you think of energy costs; this is also the season when people spend a lot of money on cooling appliances such as air conditioners. These appliances consume a lot of electrical energy, which means that you have to spend more than usual to keep your home cool. But is this the only way to survive the heat? Planting trees in your home not only prevents energy wastage, but it also prevents you from spending lots of money on cooling appliances and electricity every year.
Energy Conservation In Numbers
Different studies have revealed different statistics regarding the effect of planting trees and energy consumption, but they all agree that that planting trees saves energy. One study suggests that 17% of tree shade over your house can reduce your electric bill by 10 dollars each month. If the shade is 50%, you can save up to 20 dollars per month.
if you don't have trees around your home, you should note that it takes time for a tree to fully grow. In five years time, though, you can save energy by 3%. In fact, a young healthy tree has the same cooling effect as 10 room-size air conditioners.
Proper Planting
The success of the trees in saving energy and lowering electric bills hugely depends on the type of tree and where you will plant the tree. If you want trees that prevent heat from entering your home during the summer but allow the heat to enter during the winter, you should go for deciduous trees. Deciduous trees are trees that are full of leaves during the summer, but they lose their leaves when winter approaches.This will allow the winter sun to enter your home. However, if you are in need of trees that provide shade all through regardless of the season, go for dense evergreen trees.
As for planting, you need to be strategic. Plant deciduous trees on the west or east side of your house. This will give your home a cooling shade during the summer season and a warm environment when the leaves of the trees fall off during the winter season. A six-foot to eight-foot deciduous tree will start to shade your windows within the first year. And depending on the type or species, it will start to shade the roof within five to ten years.
The evergreens should be planted on the north or south side of the house but not on the east or west side because the trees can block the warming sun. Also, do not plant your trees below the power lines or too close to the foundation of your house. The roots of the trees can spread and damage your foundation.
