Landscaping Shade Trees and Windbreaks

Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Perhaps the most pleasant economic savings can be derived from judicious and mindful planting of trees and
shrubs. The value of traditional plantings serving as windbreaks is well known. Additionally, well-placed deciduous
trees can shade a building during hot summer months yet allow warming sunshine to enter a building when warmth
is needed in the winter. The summer shading feature of trees is particularly important for the following reason. Most
homes are cooled with traditional window- or central- air conditioners using fractional horsepower single-phase
electric motors and modern refrigerants (chlorofluorocarbons that are less potent greenhouse gases than their
predecessors). The electro-mechanical efficiency of air conditioner components ranges from 35-50% based upon
the electrical energy available at the plug. But that electricity is arriving at your building with an overall efficiency of
about 30% based upon the energy content of the fuel going into the central electrical power plant. So, when the
overall fuel cycle is considered, building air conditioning is about 10-20% efficient, on the basis of energy
flow. Fortunately, humans feel a cooling effect from simple air movement that increases evaporation from the skin.
Most air conditioning rating systems incorporate this cooling effect, so their efficiency numbers do not appear quite
so grim. However, when shade trees cool a house such that one unit of air conditioning energy is avoided, 5 to 10
units of primary energy are avoided at the power plant. This is not only an important economic savings to you, but
also a very important environmental savings to the community.
Estimated Cost Savings:
Air conditioning in buildings represents 13-15% of your annual electricity budget, and a larger fraction during
summer months. By reducing the amount of air conditioning required, shade trees directly affect your bottom line.
The cost of quality shade trees ranges from a few dollars for a seedling to several hundred for a much larger tree.
Its a good idea to get at least an 8-10 foot high tree if possible. The sooner the tree grows shading capacity, the
sooner you can enjoy savings. The amount of savings can vary widely due to local circumstances but typical
savings are on the order of 10-20% of a summer electric bill. Similar savings from a windbreak will be realized in
winter during the heating season.
Issues:
Consider planting several varieties of trees: some fast-growing species (such as ash or aspen) for quick shade and
more durable, slower-growing and longer-lasting trees (such as maple or oak) that will eventually dominate. Shop
around for the best warranty on trees. Many nurseries provide planting and care instructions and will offer a oneyear
replacement guarantee.
Regional Issues:
Plant varieties appropriate to your climate. Some species of trees grow more slowly than others so you need to get
started as soon as planting season arrives.
Installation (Getting It Done):
Spring and fall are the best times to plant. Be sure to follow planting instructions and err on the side of digging too
large a hole. Be sure to incorporate organic material in the planting soil and to stake trees to provide mechanical
support. Mulch heavily and water thoroughly during summer dry spells.
Be sure to get bids from two or three (or more) nurseries and/or landscaping contractors if you choose not to plant
the trees yourself.

References:
Cooling Our Communities, A Guidebook on Tree Planting and Light-Colored Surfacing, US EPA 22P-2001,
January, 1992.

Spring fixes to help protect against fire

Fire threatens homes from two different directions... inside and outside. Statistics for 2000 show that 368,000 accidental home fires occurred, resulting in 3,420 deaths, 16,975 injuries and $5.5 billion in direct property damage. By comparison, in 2002, a total of 88,458 wildfires consumed 6,937,584 acres and 2,381 structures. Consequently, homeowners should take action to protect their home from fire both inside and out.

When the inside of your home burns, it's really not important whether a chimney fire, a candle or electrical problem started the house blazing. The important thing is that the fire is recognized immediately so that people and pets get to safety and the fire department has the opportunity to salvage the property.

Hard-wiring and interconnecting smoke detectors delivers a solid response to the possibility of fire. Interconnecting smoke detectors produces a simultaneous response to the presence of smoke. When one detector is activated, all detectors sound. This network of fire protection alerts the whole building. However, be warned that fire can damage the wiring of the home. This compromises the integrity of any hard-wired smoke detector unless it also uses a battery back-up. The battery back-up will take over ensuring a continuous response in case of fire.

Estimated Cost Savings:
While costs can range from less than $500 to a few thousand dollars for the electrical enhancements that create a smoke detection network, these expenses can often be reduced by combining the work with a remodeling project or other electrical improvements.

From the outside, drought and wildfire set the stage for homeowner anxiety. However, taking action now reduces future worries. In a process known as creating defensible space, a homeowner can diminish the wildfire threat. Essentially, three techniques guide homeowners through the process of creating defensible space – removal, reduction and replacement.

Getting It Done:
Start with the removal of entire plants. Dead trees and flammable shrubs as well as trees touching your home, within 15 feet of a chimney or encroaching on power lines pose the greatest risk. Once these hazards are removed, begin reduction – the removal of plant parts. For example, remove the low and dead branches 8 – 15 ft up the trees and mow dried grass. Finally, replace some of the more flammable vegetation (shrubs or trees) with other plants or landscaping materials that are less likely to burn.

Steepness of slope is directly related to the amount of defensible space needed. There are a variety of resources providing guidance with calculating the appropriate amount of space recommended. Or you may contact someone who specializes in fire mitigation and\or tree trimming services. There are even experts in fire-safe landscaping and design, also known as firescaping.

A homeowner can tackle many of the tasks related to the creation of defensible space to help control costs. And there are always things that can be done to improve fire safety with little or no cost... like identifying escape routes, designating a meeting place, testing your smoke detectors and practicing fire drills.

Spring is coming...really, I'm not kidding!

Now that spring is on it's way...or so the rumor goes, it's time to think about maintenence for you home.

• Replace your furnace filter
• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter
• Check your electrical system
• Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible.
• Review your fire escape plan with your family
• Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning
• Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
• Check for damage to your roof
• Run through a severe-weather drill with your family
• Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface
• Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses
• Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration
• Clean clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper, and space under the dryer
• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged
• Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms