Saving Energy And Maintenance Bills Through Lawn Landscaping

Careful and stylish lawn landscaping can make any home breathtakingly beautiful. Flowers and plants abound, gorgeous rock formations and an occasional pond or two can make any yard a paradise.

But aside from its ornamental value, a lawn has a more practical use. With proper lawn landscaping, a lawn can actually lower energy bills. In fact, a well designed lawn can be the best long time investment for lessening a household's heating and cooling costs.

For example, trees that are planted on lawns around houses can save up to 25% of an average household's energy consumption. Computer simulations on the effect of well designed lawns show that the proper placement of three trees can save the household around $100 to $250 in one year.

How is this possible? Scientific studies show that the area under thick canopied trees retains cool, moisture-laden air that settles near the ground. In fact, the shade and the natural evapotransition process that happens under trees can reduce the temperature from 3 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Trees also shield houses from hot, direct sunlight. Therefore, air conditioners would work more efficiently, saving the household as much as 15% to 50% in airconditioning costs.

But the benefit does not stop during the hot summer months. Trees in well-planned lawn landscaping also act as a buffer for the cold winter winds.

This is quite evident in a recent study that was done in South Dakota. The study shows that houses that have trees all around their sides can cut fuel consumption for household heating by 40%. Houses with trees and plants that are located only on the side facing the wind reduced fuel consumption by 25%.

Trees are not the only plants that can help in the reduction of costs. Other plants contribute to the benefit of proper lawn landscaping. Take for instance the ground cover used in lawns. The grass can actually reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide in the air. The grass can also produce clean oxygen, inducing freshness. In addition, certain lawn grasses grow up to 6 inches only. Because these species are quite short, one does not need to do extensive use of a powered lawn mower to cut down the grass. This can save money for fuel and the time and effort to regularly mow the lawn.

Also, many species of plants are insect resistant. With these plants carefully selected for lawn landscaping, one can save a lot of money since they require less pesticides to kill parasites which prey on these plants.

All around the world, people are now discovering the benefits and the practicality of going natural. Truly, proper lawn landscaping is one of these beneficial, practical methods in spicing up a home.