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Faced with rising energy costs, property managers and unit owners
everywhere are looking for ways to conserve energy and reduce fuel
costs. By designing a landscape that helps to regulate energy flows from
the sun and wind, utility costs can be visibly reduced. In addition to
reducing utility costs, the proper landscape can increase the comfort
level of a building's inhabitants, thus cooling the property in the
summer and heating it in the winter. And, a beautiful and practical
landscape can also send your property's real estate value soaring.
The
ideal landscape should include strategically positioned trees, shrubs,
vines and man-made structures, which can make a significant difference
in the amount of energy needed to cool a building during the summer (and
heat a building during the winter).
In fact, a carefully planned landscape can save up to 25 percent of a
household's energy consumption for cooling and heating, and reduce the
amount of energy needed to cool or heat a building's common areas.
According to computer models devised by the U.S. Department of Energy,
the proper placement of only a few trees can save the average household
between 0 and 0 in energy costs annually. For example, planting an
eight-foot deciduous (leaf shedding) tree costs about as much as one
large window awning, and can ultimately save your condo owners hundreds
of dollars in cooling costs. Overall, a well-planned landscape can
reduce a household's summer cooling costs by 15 to 50 percent, depending
on its size.
To achieve maximum energy savings, trees must be planted with
consideration to the buildings they are designed to benefit. To
illustrate, trees located on the east and west sides of a building offer
a great combination of solar control and energy savings, as they
suppress early morning and late evening sun during the summer, but do
not obstruct winter sunlight. Be sure to select trees that will grow to
be at least 10 feet taller than the windows. Plant trees within 20 feet
of the windows, and prune regularly to ensure that they don't grow into
the building.
Deciduous, or solar-friendly trees, are ideal for providing shade in the
summer because they have broad crowns and dense foliage. In New England,
American linden, sugar maple and river birch are good examples of
solar-friendly trees. When planning your landscape, be sure to choose
sturdy trees with good branching habits that can resist damage from
storms. If year-round shade is your preference, try planting evergreen
trees or shrubs. If a site isn't large enough to accommodate a
large-growing tree species, consider using woody plants like arborvitae
and juniper close to the building, as they will create a layer of
slow-moving air that can help reduce heat gain during the summer.
Smart utilization of the environment can prove to be a cost-effective
way to reduce energy costs. Careful planning, design and preparation of
a landscape can reap substantial cost savings for you, and your condo
owners. Consult with your professional arborist today to find out how
the environment can help save money - and energy.
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