Page 10 - Piedmont_Spring_2022

naturalFit

deciduous trees around Photo Courtesy of loveyourlandsCaPe.org/James martin assoCiates, ChiCago, illinois
a home provide cooling
shade during the summer
while allowing the winter
sun to add warmth.

a green solution

Well-planned landscaping saves energy while creating beauty.

By Tonya McMurray

ost homeowners think of landscaping as a way of To maximize the sun’s warmth in the winter and take advantage of
improving their home’s curb appeal and aesthetics, shade in the summer, the DOE recommends using deciduous trees. De-
but a well-designed landscape can also reduce energy ciduous trees with high spreading leave sand branches should be planted
M costs and enhance sustainability. to the south to maximize roof shading during the summer. Trees with
Positioned correctly, trees, shrubs and vines can save up to 25% leaves and branches lower to the ground should be planted to the west
of the energy used in a typical home by providing shade and acting where shade is needed from lower sun angles in the late afternoon.
as a windbreak, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Evergreen trees, on the other hand, can provide continuous shade
Well-shaded homes often see a reduction of up to 40 degrees in attic and block heavy winds. The DOE recommends homeowners avoid
temperatures, according to the National Association of Landscape planting evergreen trees too close to the south side of a home if they
Professionals (NALP). are hoping to use passive solar heat from the winter sun to increase
“Positioned correctly, trees, shrubs and vines can the efficiency of natural gas heaters and boilers.
Windbreaks of trees and shrubs on the north and northwest side
save up to 25% of the energy used in a typical of a home can deflect winter winds away from buildings. Windbreaks

home by providing shade and acting as can reduce wind speed as much as 30 times the windbreak’s height,
according to the DOE. Reducing wind speed will reduce the wind
a windbreak.” chill near the home, helping to maintain warmer and more consis-
— U.S. Department of Energy tent temperatures.

10 naturalliving ❙ Spring - Summer 2022