The landscaping on your Harrison, Ohio, property adds curb appeal and beauty, but it can do more than just make the property look good. In fact, landscaping can play a major role in how efficiently your home’s heating and cooling system operates. With the addition of the right trees and shrubs, you can reduce your bills and stay comfortable throughout the changing seasons.
Adding Shade
When the sun is shining, the rays seep through your home’s windows, roof, and doors and raise the indoor temperature. Solar heat absorption can also impact your thermostat, especially when the unit sits directly in the sun. Adding trees around your home that provide shade can reduce the air temperatures surrounding the structure by as much as 6 degrees. Cool air settles near the ground, so the air temperature directly beneath a tree can be up to 25 degrees lower than the temperature above its branches.
In order to use shade as part of your landscaping and efficiency plan, it’s important to understand how the movement of the sun will impact where you should plant. Using deciduous trees ensures proper solar heat blockage during the summer months but allows some of that heat to come through in the winter after the trees have shed their leaves. If you want to create shade throughout the seasons, opt for evergreen trees.
Reducing Wind
Another benefit of landscaping is protection from harsh winds. When it’s cold and windy outside, the air movement can cause your indoor temperature to drop quickly, requiring the heating system to warm it back up. Large trees and shrubs block the winds from reaching your home, helping to reduce your monthly heating bills. If windbreak is your goal as you plan out your landscaping, make sure to opt for evergreen shrubs and trees, as they’ll maintain their needles and leaves all year. Plant them to the northwest and north of the house.
If you’re still struggling with poor HVAC efficiency after making changes to your landscaping, give the team at Western Hills Heating at 812-227-3001.
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