Climate Considerations: Landscaping for Energy Efficiency

Part 3 of Landscaping for Energy Efficiency. The United States can be divided into four approximate climatic regions: temperate, hot-arid, hot-wet and cool. The average energy to keep the landscape strategies you use should depend on the region you live. These landscaping strategies by region are listed in order below. Carefully positioned trees can save […]


Reducing Water and Heat Loss

Part 2 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy. Almost all of a pool’s heat loss—about 95 percent—occurs at the surface, mostly through evaporation to the air and radiation to the sky. A pool cover is an effective means to keep heat (and water) in a pool by reducing evaporation of […]


Earth-Sheltered Houses

Part 1 of Earth Sheltered Houses. Earth-sheltered houses moderate the impact of extreme outdoor temperatures so that the interior remains at a relatively constant temperature. Let’s assume you’re in the market for a new home. Let’s further assume that, like many other people, you’re concerned about the limited supplies of domestic oil and gas, the […]


Save Energy by Cooling Your Home Naturally

Part 7 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Using any or all of these strategies will help keep you cool. Even if you use air conditioning, many of these strategies, particularly reflecting heat and shading, will help reduce the energy costs of running an air conditioner. However, adopting all of these strategies may not be enough. […]