Landscaping on the Great Sacandaga Lake...

Photo by Lorraine Decker ©2008

To save you $$’s on energy,
Landscaping That Makes Sense, describes how:

A well-positioned tree can save up to 25% on heating and cooling
Tree shaded yards with lawn vs. pavement can keep temperatures down 6-25 degrees

Shading your roof can increase your air conditioners efficiency by 10%
A single tree can equal the cooling power of 15 air conditioners

Three house-shading trees can cut your cooling bill by up to 50%

Windbreaks can cut winter heating bills by 10-30%

On the Great Sacandaga Lake: Take advantage of the sun in the winter by planting deciduous trees on the south- and west-facing sides of your house. And in the summer the leaves from these trees will also provide shade. Planting trees or shrubs to the north or northwest will prevent winter winds from draining the heat from your home

Landscaping to Reduce Winter Heating Costs direct us toward the following landscaping strategies to minimize our heating costs:

Plant evergreens to block northwest winter winds. Correct planting can cut winter heating bills by 25%

Place planters, walls or berms near your home to create “dead air space” which acts as insulation

Deciduous trees can screen 70-90% of the hot summer sun, and in the winter these same trees will loose their leaves and allow sun to filter through

Create open lawns on the south side of your home, allowing the accumulation of snow. Light reflecting off the snow can offer radiant heat effects on your home.
Build tall fences to slow winter winds. (also provides protection for less cold-hardy plants

Inclusion of eco-friendly hardscape surfaces around your home can soak up heat during the day and reflect it during a cool evening.

Landscaping to Reduce Summer Cooling Costs provides the following tips to assist your A/C during the summer months:

Build a pergola, add an awning, or provide some other type of shade structure on the west side of your house. Filters light during he hottest part of the day, and covered with vines still allows cool breezes

Position porches, decks, and patios on the east, as they will offer morning sun and shade in the evening

Light colored ground covers will reflect more heat, making it hotter, darker wood chips will absorb the heat

Place trees where they will shade your windows (e.g. on the south and west sides) from the direct sun

Funnel breezes through your property by planting a row of trees on one side of the house, and a wall on the other will create a wind tunnel

Add a water feature because it can psychologically cool your landscape. Upwinds from ponds will cool the air around your home

Plant clusters of trees which can create a cool zone for breezes to filter through

Photo by Lorraine Decker ©2008