Many people go to great lengths to try and conserve energy as a result of tight budgets or environmental awareness. However, more often than not, these energy savings are a result of actions taken inside of the home, such as using energy-saving light bulbs or washing clothes during off-peak times. Many people don’t realize that outdoor practices, such as strategically planting a shrub on your property, can actually result in energy savings too! Planting the right shrub in the right place can help cool your home in the summer and lower your energy bills, while also adding beauty, privacy and even wildlife habitat to your backyard.
Anyone who has ever lived in Ontario in the summer knows just how warm air temperatures can get (remember when it went up into the high 30’s?). Shade can act as a natural air conditioner and can be easily created by strategically planting shrubs around your property. By planting larger deciduous shrubs along the west and east facing walls of your home, you can create both early morning and late afternoon shade in the summer, which in turn, will allow you to save money by turning down your air conditioner. In the winter, your shrubs will have dropped their leaves, allowing radiation from the sun to pass through and heat your home.
Another way to effectively save on energy costs is to plant shrubs around your air conditioner. The shade from these shrubs will increase the energy efficiency of the unit by keeping it cooler during the hot summer months. The same shrubs can also shield A/C units from cold winds and snow in the winter. However, always remember that when planting around an A/C unit, you want to leave some room for air flow to prevent clogging vents and damage to the unit (which could result increased costs for you).
Ultimately, planting shrubs in your yard can reduce your energy bills. What more could you ask for? Well, in addition to energy conservation, shrubs can also provide food and shelter to a variety of beneficial backyard wildlife, including songbirds, butterflies and honeybees.
All in all, shrubs are pretty awesome - they save you money and help to beautify your yard! Start creating your own energy-saving backyard oasis today by purchasing some native shrubs from LEAF!
For more energy conservation tips and programs, visit Toronto Hydro or Ontario Power Authority. Brenna is our Residential Planting Programs intern. Her position was made possible with the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Federal Department of the Environment.