Landscaping isn’t just handy for enhancing your home’s curb appeal. It can also improve HVAC efficiency, especially during the hot summer months. Shade trees, shrubbery, and ground cover can all make the HVAC system in your Dunwoody, Georgia, home more efficient.
Shade Trees
The sweeping boughs of a large shade tree will shield your home from the intense summer sun. Though you won’t reap the benefits right away — the tree will have to grow after you plant it — a shade tree makes an excellent investment in your future efficiency.
To avoid turning your lawn into a carpet of leaves every autumn, consider choosing an evergreen tree. Some of the native options in Georgia include deodar cedar (which also give off a pleasant scent), Leyland cypress, and weeping hemlock. However, if you’re looking for maximum shade, consider the native American sycamore, corkscrew willow, or Lombardy poplar (which also makes a great wind break).
Shrubbery
Shrubs provide privacy and increase HVAC efficiency because they shield your outside AC unit from view of the street and block the sun from your windows. You can plant them around your outside HVAC unit, but leave a berth of two or three feet to permit access and to prevent the shrubs from interfering with the unit’s operation. Barbecue rosemary is native to Georgia and produces beautiful purple flowers.
Ground Cover
When you cool the ground around your home, your HVAC system becomes more efficient. These plants reduce radiant heat because sunlight can’t hit the ground. Look for plants that spread quickly, such as bloomerang lilac and black bamboo. You can also plant citronella, which provides groundcover and deters mosquitoes at the same time.
Investing in your landscaping can beautify your garden and keep your home cool this summer. If you’re concerned about high energy bills, call E. Smith Heating & Air Conditioning at 678-369-8866. We’ll evaluate your system and make expert recommendations for increased efficiency.
Image provided by Shutterstock
