Strategically planting trees and shrubs near buildings may be the best long-term investment for reducing home heating and cooling costs. Planting trees and shrubs has very little startup cost and is a long-term investment that will continually reduce energy and fuel consumption.
Research conducted by the US Department of Energy (DOE) has shown that proper placement of trees and shrubs around buildings can reduce summer energy needs as much as 50%. In addition, planting windbreaks can reduce your winter heating cost by 10% for urban communities and up to 40% for farmsteads. In fact, the DOE has estimated that properly placing as few as three trees can save the average household between $100 and $250 annually in energy costs.
Click the button below to launch the Windbreak and Shade Tree Locator Tool.
Energy Saving Landscaping- Alliant Energy PowerHouse video from Trees Forever on Vimeo.
© 2010. Alliant Energy Corporation. All rights reserved.
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency- An Alliant Energy PowerHouse video from Trees Forever on Vimeo.
© 2010. Alliant Energy Corporation. All rights reserved.
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7th grade students designed posters about the benefits of trees, including energy efficiency through our partnership with Black Hills Energy. 2012 contest winners (below) received a $2,000 grant for trees! The poster contest continues in 2013. Click here for more information.
Hannah Carter, Ogden Middle School
Shannon Hoffman, Beckman Catholic Jr. High School, Dyersville
MacKenzie Poole, West Monona Middle School, Onawa
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