Planning to spruce up your property? Taking the time to landscape well will not only make your home a pleasant place to live in while adding curb appeal — it will also help you use your electricity wisely.
Here are some tips:
•Don’t crowd your house or overhead lines with new trees. These trees could become troublemakers and potentially cause an outage. Make sure to plant tall-growing trees at least eight metres away from distribution power lines.
•Do invest in deciduous trees. These trees shed leaves and assist in providing optimal temperatures all year round. They shade from the summer sun to cut down on heat gain and lose their leaves in winter to allow sunlight to enter your home. Plant them to the south and the southwest around your home’s windows to provide shade from late afternoon and evening sun.
•Do let your energy savings bloom. Planting a large flower garden with tall plants helps retain moisture in the ground. The larger your garden, the less time and energy you spend watering and mowing your lawn in the long run.
•Consult a professional. You may want to use a contractor if you are undertaking a larger landscaping project. Be sure to get a number of quotes and take the time to check references.
