Landscaping
Energy usage comprises over half of commercial buildings’ costs, so by making energy efficiency a priority, you can improve your bottom line. Installing an energy efficient landscape is low-cost, and will help reduce energy usage, making it economically and environmentally sustainable.
Things to consider:
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Trees and shrubs can provide shade and reduce solar heat gain in the summer, and prevent heat loss in the winter.
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Vegetated roofs provide extra thermal mass and insulation
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Deciduous trees planted to the south of the building will shade it from summer solar heat gain
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Shorter deciduous trees planted to the west will also provide shade from the sun
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Shading hardscape surfaces (like shrubs and groundcover plants along sidewalks) will help keep ambient temperatures cooler
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Prevent heat loss in the winter by planting shrubs, bushes, and vines close to the building (but at least 1 foot away)
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Planting dense evergreen trees and shrubs with low crowns planted to the north and northwest can help create a windbreak
Benefits
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According to a Lawrence Berkeley National Labs study, landscape providing shade can help decrease a building’s energy load by 9-20%
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Shading can increase the efficiency unit by up to 10%
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Windbreaks can save up to 25% on heating costs by protecting the building
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Decreases energy demand of heating and cooling
Costs
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Landscaping has a potentially quick payback period, but benefits may not be achieved immediately, depending on your building structure and the type of landscaping strategies chosen.