Outdoor Tips
Energy Use
- Use solar lighting outside.
- Replace your electric mower with a push mower.
- Put swimming pool pumps on a timer, or use them only for a few hours a day.
- Look into solar pool heaters.
Landscaping
Carefully plan your landscaping to help to reduce your energy costs and increase indoor comfort.
- Plant deciduous trees like oak, maple, gum, ash and dogwood. They lose their leaves in the winter, letting the sun through to warm your home. In summer, their leaves shade your home. Plant shade trees to the south, since that side gets the most sun.
- Evergreens are effective for blocking wind. Plant them in a staggered or double line to the northwest of your home.
- Smaller foundation plants can minimize the loss of cool air away from the house in summer and, in winter, provide additional wind protection.
- Use a rain barrel to water your garden, lawn, or wash your car. For more information about stormwater, visit RAIN