Creating an energy-efficient landscape can significantly reduce your cooling costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using trees, shrubs, and vines to design an energy-conserving landscape can lower cooling bills by as much as 40%. Here are some ways to passively cool your home through smart landscaping.

Trees Provide Shade

Deciduous trees provide shade in summer, reducing sunlight and cooling your home through shading and evapotranspiration—the process in which plants release water through their leaves. Plant these trees on the south and west sides for optimal cooling. If you have rooftop solar panels, be mindful that shading can impact their efficiency. To avoid damaging your foundation or roof, plant trees at a distance from your house.

Create Shade with Vines

Climbing vines, such as ivy, Virginia creeper, or trumpet vine, provide excellent shade when grown on trellises or pergolas. They act as a living insulation layer, absorbing sunlight and preventing heat from penetrating walls. Ensure the vines are grown on structures about six inches away from your home to avoid damage to the siding.

Incorporate Ground Covers

Ground covers, like ivy, clover, or low-growing shrubs, can reduce the amount of heat radiating from the ground to your home. They act as a natural coolant by shading the soil and reducing heat absorption. Plant these around your home’s foundation and in garden beds to lower the overall temperature.

Use Reflective Mulch

Using reflective mulch in your garden beds can help to reduce heat absorption. Light-colored or reflective mulch materials, such as gravel, marble chips, or light-colored wood chips, reflect sunlight away from the ground, keeping the area cooler. This method is particularly effective when used around plants that are close to your home’s foundation.

Implement Smart Irrigation Systems

Efficient irrigation not only keeps your plants healthy but also helps cool your home. Smart irrigation systems, such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses, reduce water waste and provide targeted watering to your plants. Healthy, well-watered plants maximize the effects of evapotranspiration, which can lower air temperatures by up to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Design Shaded Outdoor Living Spaces

Shaded outdoor living spaces, such as patios, decks, or pergolas, can reduce heat buildup around your home. Use materials that reflect heat and add shading elements like pergolas with climbing vines or retractable awnings. These areas provide a cool retreat and reduce the overall heat absorption of your home’s exterior.