Cook's Landscape Rejuvenation Consulting & Designs

Landscaping For Energy Efficiency

When designing your landscape or landscape renovation, there are several things that can be done to conserve energy, and make your home more comfortable in both the summer heat and the winter cold. The overall objective of energy conservation can be achieved through the use of plants that serve to modify the environment in which you live. This will also enhance the aesthetic appearance of your property.

First obvious objective is to provide shade in the summer months, reducing and even eliminating the need for air conditioning. Second, is to deflect wind, and provide exterior insulation in winter.

Large deciduous trees, planted on the south, southwest and west sides of houses, patios, decks and outdoor recreation areas have a very cooling effect. In winter these trees will allow the sun to bathe the house in sunshine adding warmth and light.

Low branching trees and shrubs screen low angle sun and are effective in blocking early morning and late afternoon sun. They also deflect air.

For new sites, locate buildings and other outdoor areas (gardens, patios, driveways, etc.) with regard to solar gain and wind protection.

Older buildings that are not as tightly sealed or as well insulated as newer homes, can be made cooler in summer as well as warmer and less draughty in winter.

Exposed walls can be protected from the summer sun by deciduous vines whose leaves block incoming radiation but allow warm air to move away from the house. Vines not only provide summer shade but they can also have an insulating effect in winter.

Fast growing vines will lower inside temperatures as effectively as shade trees if grown on south or west walls. Examples are: Virginia Creeper; Boston Ivy; English Ivy; Honeysuckle. Vines should not be grown directly on wooden walls, but rather they should be trained on detachable trellises.

Evergreens create shade as well. However, because they shade year round they reduce solar access in winter. It is best to use them as insulators.

Dense evergreens such as cedars, hemlock, spruce or yew, planted within two feet of exposed north, or east walls creates a dead airspace between plants and walls. Not only does such a planting block incoming wind but it traps escaping warm air, effectively “ pre insulating” the outside wall of the house and thus reducing the interior/exterior temperature differential. Never plant closer than two feet as some roots seek out and enlarge cracks in the foundation.

In hotter climates, where air conditioners are a necessity, the proper use of plants can reduce the "demand" on the air conditioner. Plant evergreen or deciduous shrubs to shade all but the northern side of air conditioning units. This blocks the heat from the sun and allows the cool air of the northern "shade area" to be fully utilized.

A large tree shading the south or west wall of a building from the hot afternoon sun can lower the temperature inside the house by 10-14deg. Air temperature above a lawn on a sunny day is 10-14 deg. cooler than over bare soil or pavement.

“We plan our houses in such detail right down to picking the width of our kitchen drawers to accommodate our own utensils. If we spent the same time and care designing the outdoors around our homes, we’d have beautiful, functional, efficient living spaces inside and out.” (Peter Klynstra).

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Links to Sites of interest

- The Canadian Rose Society

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Local Interest

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Other Garden Related Sites

- Garden Humour featuring David Hobson, Writer, Speaker, Gardener, Humorist.