Landscaping to Help Conserve Energy Master Gardener Volunteers Training

Why landscape with energy efficiency in mind? Why landscape with energy efficiency in mind? Cut summer and winter energy costs Cut summer and winter energy costs Protect your home from winds Protect your home from winds Help control noise and air pollution Help control noise and air pollution Increase the value of your home Increase the value of your home

An average landscaped house is worth % more than a bare landscape. A value that could be greater than $10,000!

The United State Department of Energy states the proper placement of only three trees could save about $100-$250 in ANNUAL energy costs. The United State Department of Energy states the proper placement of only three trees could save about $100-$250 in ANNUAL energy costs. The return to investment - 8+ years.

Considerations for Maine: Maximum sun warming effects in the winter Maximum sun warming effects in the winter Maximum shade during the summer Maximum shade during the summer Deflect winter winds away from buildings Deflect winter winds away from buildings Funnel summer breezes toward the home. Funnel summer breezes toward the home.

winter north winter summer

Three methods of heat exchange 1. Air Infiltration 2. Conduction 3. Radiation

1. Air Infiltration –Passage of outside air through cracks and openings. –Strong winds against a building increase air infiltration –As air enters through openings, an equal amount of air (usually warmer) is forced out of the home through openings that face away from the wind –Can represent 50% of heat loss on cold, windy day

2. Conduction Heat loss through materials. Dependent upon temperature difference between inner and outer surfaces.

3. Solar radiation – warmth directly from the sun East or west facing windows allow for hot summer sun South facing windows allow heat for winter

Summer Considerations northwinter summer

Shade Shading is the most cost-effective way to reduce solar heat gain and cut AC costs Shading is the most cost-effective way to reduce solar heat gain and cut AC costs Shade and evapotranspiration from trees can reduce surrounding air temperature as much as 9 o Shade and evapotranspiration from trees can reduce surrounding air temperature as much as 9 o Shading an AC unit can increase efficiency by 10% Shading an AC unit can increase efficiency by 10%

In summer, trees and shrubs can reduce the amount of solar radiation hitting outside surfaces, thus reducing heat conduction into homes.

Because cool air settles, air directly under shade trees can be 25 o cooler than nearby blacktop. Because cool air settles, air directly under shade trees can be 25 o cooler than nearby blacktop.

Shade considerations: Deciduous trees are best; Deciduous trees are best; they maximize summer shade and winter sun Plant on the south and Plant on the south and southwest sides of building Trees with high, spreading branches Trees with high, spreading branches provide maximum roof shading Place large trees no closer than 20 feet from the house. Place large trees no closer than 20 feet from the house.

Good shading requires the knowledge of the size, shape and location of the moving shadow.

Trellises and arbors Cool the house by reducing solar radiation hitting the house Cool the house by reducing solar radiation hitting the house Deciduous plants cool in summer, allow sun in winter Deciduous plants cool in summer, allow sun in winter Don’t attach plant Don’t attach plant directly to building.

Use plants to shade ground and pavement around the home. –It reduces heat radiation and cools the air before it reaches walls and windows.

Shading the roof of a house by large trees can reduce inside temperature by 8-10 o

Winter Considerations north summer winter

In the winter, deciduous trees and shrubs can reduce the rate of heat loss by allowing the winter sun to raise the outside temperature of walls.

Wind Effects Unprotected homes lose much more heat on cold windy days than on equally cold still days. Unprotected homes lose much more heat on cold windy days than on equally cold still days. Up to 1/3 of heat loss may occur through heat loss from the walls and roof via conduction. Up to 1/3 of heat loss may occur through heat loss from the walls and roof via conduction. –Wind increases the convective air currents along walls and roof, thus increasing heat loss Infiltration or air leakage can account for as much as 1/3 of heat lost from some buildings. Infiltration or air leakage can account for as much as 1/3 of heat lost from some buildings.

Windbreaks Can reduce winter fuel consumption by %. Can reduce winter fuel consumption by %. Best planted on the north and northwest sides of the home. Best planted on the north and northwest sides of the home. They are most effective when plants branch to ground level. Evergreens best for this. They are most effective when plants branch to ground level. Evergreens best for this. The wider the planting, the more effective. The wider the planting, the more effective. When planting more than one row, stagger the plantings. When planting more than one row, stagger the plantings.

Windbreaks cont. Locate the wind break 2-5 times the mature height of the trees from the house Locate the wind break 2-5 times the mature height of the trees from the house 20 ft 40 – 100 ft Remember snow typically drifts in an area from 1-3 times the height of the trees, so plant appropriately!

Dead Air Space Foundation plantings planted close to buildings reduce wind currents that otherwise would chill outside surfaces (conduction heat loss). Foundation plantings planted close to buildings reduce wind currents that otherwise would chill outside surfaces (conduction heat loss). Foundation plantings create a “dead air” space which slows heat loss from the building. Also will help insulate the house from hot outside air in summer. Foundation plantings create a “dead air” space which slows heat loss from the building. Also will help insulate the house from hot outside air in summer. By reducing air velocity, air infiltration heat losses are also reduced. By reducing air velocity, air infiltration heat losses are also reduced.

Evergreens are most effective for both winter warming and summer cooling. Place plants from 1-5 feet from the building.

Resources: Landscape Plantings for Energy Savings Landscape Plantings for Energy Savings Landscaping for Energy Conservation Landscaping for Energy Conservation Landscaping for Energy Efficiency Landscaping for Energy Efficiencyhttp://apps1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home