Smart landscaping can be fun for your family, increase the value of your Jacksonville, Florida, home and help you save energy. Follow these three simple smart landscaping tips to increase your home’s resale value and save on energy costs.
Maximize Your Shade
More shade makes your home cooler, saves energy and makes spending time outside more pleasant. Trees near the west and northwest sides of your home will help block the afternoon sun and get rid of warm areas near windows. They look great near porches, patios, and your outdoor heating and air conditioning unit.
Smaller trees grow quickly, and many types have beautiful flowers in spring and summer. Shrubs near your home will keep the hot sun from heating your walls in summer and provide extra insulation in winter.
Hide Your Outdoor HVAC Unit
Many outdoor air conditioners and heat pumps are big and unattractive. Fortunately, you can conceal your unit by building a small fence around it, planting shrubs or adding a trellis with attractive vines. An awning or a small roof over your unit will protect it from debris like grass clippings, leaves, and twigs as well. Just make sure your system has one or two feet of clearance on all sides for good airflow.
Choose Plants That Are Easy to Care For
Perennials are best because they grow every year, while annual plants die after one year. Crepe myrtle trees grow fast, and they have beautiful flowers in a variety of colors. Ground covers like clover also have lovely flowers and don’t need fertilizer. Best of all, you won’t have to mow them.
Ed’s Comfort Solutions has more than 50 years of heating and cooling experience. We can help you install, maintain and repair a variety of HVAC equipment. Call us anytime at (866) 429-0417 for excellent service.
Image provided by Shutterstock
