Beautify your lawn and conserve resources at the same time
Smart landscape design can lower your energy bills all year long. Learning how to arrange plantings for maximum efficiency transforms your lawn into a beautiful oasis that works to reduce heating and cooling costs. Start saving now with these energy-efficient landscaping tips for your Austin home.
Cool Down with Trees
Shade trees have the power to cool your yard by as much as six degrees and reduce indoor temperatures up to 25%. A cooler house can make your air conditioner run 10% more efficiently throughout the season. This not only reduces energy use but also prolongs the life of the unit by reducing wear from regular operation.
Create Dead Space
Planting vines, shrubs and bushes near the walls of your home traps an insulating pocket of “dead air” that helps regulate temperatures in all seasons. Place plants far enough away so that there will be about a foot of space between the full-grown vegetation and the house. Planting too close can cause problems with your foundation and encourage pests to take up residence indoors.
Encourage Climbing Vines
Setting up trellises, archways and pergolas near the windows of your home filters incoming light to reduce heat gain. Vines grow more quickly than trees and can therefore provide more shade in a shorter amount of time. Choose flowering vines to attract hummingbirds and butterflies, or plant climbing fruits and vegetables to get more out of your landscaping.
Don’t Waste Water
When designing your landscape, choose plants that are acclimated to the environment and place them where they’ll get the optimal amount of light and shade. Water only when plants need moisture, and time watering for the coolest parts of the day to avoid excessive evaporation. Choose plants with strong root systems to hold soil in place and create a more efficient environment.
Keep Wind at Bay
Planting a wind break that includes thick vegetation of various sizes can reduce wind speeds up to 30 times the height of the tallest plants. This prevents seasonal winds from buffeting your home and undermining the efficiency of your heating or cooling system. Use plants such as evergreens to ensure protection in both summer and winter months.
If you’re ready to make your lawn work for you, call ABC Austin for a free consultation. Our landscape designers will assess your lawn and determine the best methods for saving energy. Using drought-resistant landscaping techniques and native plants along with your choice of design elements, ABC Home & Commercial Services in Austin can create the outdoor area of your dreams while helping to conserve resources.