Landscaping not only adds beauty and value to your home, but it can lower your energy bills too. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, strategic landscaping can cut your air conditioning usage by as much as 50 percent. Considering Florida is one of the hottest and most humid states in the U.S., we could all benefit from extra cooling power and energy savings. With that in mind, here are easy ways you can utilize landscaping to lower your energy bill.
Smart Landscaping for Florida Homes
Smart landscaping in Florida makes use of natural shade and summer breezes. Creating natural shade is easy considering the number of plants that can thrive in Florida’s climate. Opt for plants that create a barrier between the sun and your home, as this will make it harder for heat to penetrate through the windows and walls, which will keep cool air indoors. Not sure where to start? Follow these tips below
Vines: Not only are vines beautiful, but they can keep your home cool and save you money during the process! As vines grow, they create a barrier between the sun and the walls of your home. During the summer, and as the sun shines down on the walls and windows of your home, it can create a warming effect, making the inside hotter. However, the barrier the vines create makes it difficult for the heat to infiltrate your home and your air conditioner won’t have to overcompensate to keep you cool.
Shrubs: Planting shrubs, hedges, bushes, and such near windows is another way to create a barrier between the sun and your home, which will make it harder for your home to conduct heat during the warmest months. Planting shrubs around the actual condenser unit of your air conditioner is another easy way to keep cool and save money. As the sun shines on the condenser unit, it has to work harder to cool itself down. Creating natural shade that will take the load off of your condenser unit, which will not only keep you cool for less, but will also extend the lifespan of your AC.
Trees: Planting trees for optimal shade can save you nearly $250 each year on your energy bills! Adding trees is the easiest way to create the most amount of shade for your home. Big, sweeping trees that provide lots of shade will create the ultimate barrier between the sun and your home.
For More Energy Saving Tips, Contact Complete Air Mechanical
At Complete Air Mechanical, we want to keep your home as comfortable as possible without leaving a dent in your wallet. If you’d like to learn more energy saving tips, contact us today.
Call us today at (407) 915-0144 or schedule an appointment online.