Use Landscaping to Increase Your Home's Energy Efficiency
Plant Trees for Shadiness
Trees can significantly reduce the amount of sunlight that hits your home's exterior walls. They also provide shade to lower surrounding temperatures by about 15 degrees! Plant trees strategically around your house in order to maximize this effect and keep homes cooler during hot months. Avoid Planting Flowers That Need Lots of Water Near Exterior Walls.
Choose Drought-Tolerant Plants
Focusing on drought-resistant plants is a great way to save time and money when it comes to maintaining your home's exterior. These types of plants tend to require little water, so they won't have you spending extra time watering them in order for them to grow properly. Plus, implementing landscaping projects that utilize these types of flora help lawns use up to 50% less water!
Create Shade with Hardscaping
Hardscaping refers to landscaping that creates shade with structures, such as patios or decks. Hardscapes are ideal for areas of your home's exterior walls that receive direct sunlight because they impede the amount of sun exposure these surfaces have throughout the day.
Increase the Shading Around Windows and Doors
Windows are another area of your home's exterior wall that tends to receive a lot of sunlight. Strategically place shrubs alongside windows in order to reduce solar heat gain during hot months. Also use window coverings, such as drapes or curtains, which block up to 90% of sun rays from hitting these areas when closed during summer months. This will help keep interiors cooler too!
Window Screens
Adding window screens is an inexpensive way to decrease solar heat gain through windows during the summer months. Installing solar shades over porches and decks will do the same thing by adding shade while increasing energy efficiency at the same time!
Time to Solar
Installing a solar panel system on your home's roof is an effective way to increase energy efficiency and take advantage of renewable energy. Solar panels capture the sun's rays in order to create electricity, which can be used by homeowners within their homes or sold back to local power companies!
