Your landscaping does more than add beauty to your home. A thoughtfully installed and well-maintained landscape can subtract from your energy costs.

The U.S Energy Department estimates a well-planned landscape scheme can lower your energy consumption by 40 percent. The key term is well-planned.

Location, Location, Location

The first step is knowing where your home is located. Is it in the warm, humid South? The cold and snowy North? Or somewhere in between. Understanding your regional location will determine what plants will work.

Next, consider what scientists call microclimate or climate variations within small distances. For example, your house might be located on a hillside, and your sister’s house just two miles away might be tucked into a valley. You both live in the same climate, but the difference in terrain can make a huge difference in how you landscape for energy savings.

A Tree is Key

Trees are the best natural defense your home can have against weather extremes. Picking the right kind of trees and putting them in the right spots is crucial.

In colder climates, properly placed trees serve as windbreaks in the winter. The Department of Energy says they can reduce your winter heating bills by about one-third. Usually, you’ll want them on the north side of your house. Sturdy evergreens are the best choice.

Varieties of spruce, cedar, and fir are popular because they grow relatively quickly and have dense foliage. Pines also work. Evergreens have the added benefit of keeping a little color in your yard year-round.

In warmer areas where shade can reduce air conditioning bills, deciduous trees are more appropriate. The temperature directly under trees can be as much as 25 degrees cooler than on nearby surfaces.

Some of the most popular for rapid growth and plentiful shade are northern red oak, silver maple, sycamore, Texas red oak, and weeping willow. Some chestnut varieties are good choices for extremely cold regions.

You can also plant evergreens to ward off the howling winds of winter, and deciduous trees shade your home from the broiling sun of summer.

Give it Some Grass 

Lawns aren’t just ornamental. Try walking on the pavement on a hot day, and you’ll realize how much cooler the grass is as well as the area surrounding the lawn. Grass also stores carbon, filters pollution, and controls erosions and dust. The future of landscape design points to creating more green space that needs less maintenance. 

Whether you choose a cool-season or a warm-season grass, proper watering is crucial. Automatic sprinklers will save you time and money, especially if they have built-in rain sensors. Think of the grass and sprinklers as a lawn-term investment. 

Hedge your Bet with Shrubs

Shrubs generally grow faster than trees and can also help insulate the walls of your house. They’re easier to prune than a towering tree. Always leave enough space between shrubs and walls to give yourself room to clean and rake.

More Than Decorations…

Fences, canopies, awnings, trellises, pergolas, and vines can all provide some insulation while you’re waiting for your trees to grow. As with trees, give some thought to where you place them. A good fence can block a north window, and well-placed awnings can keep the summer sun from streaming into your home.

Landscaping for energy efficiency requires planning, good execution -- and patience. It pays off with snug winters, breezy summers – and lower bills!

Author Bio: Cindy Mitchell is a home stager and lifestyle and landscape and home design writer. She is a social butterfly and loves to entertain guests at home with beautifully decorated spaces for any occasion.

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