Heating and Cooling with Nature

Green Feng Shui Can Improve Your Life And Save You Money

The concept of feng shui originally had little connection to interior design. The word itself literally means “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui).

Chinese urban planners would traditionally pick locations for new settlements carefully, based on wind flow and availability of freshwater. Done correctly, nature would provide cooler temperatures in the summer, warmer temperatures in the winter, landscape-supported agriculture that improved harvests and, in general, a higher quality of life.

While you may not have complete control of where you live, you can still can greatly increase your home’s energy efficiency by learning to adapt to your surroundings instead of fighting them.

Optimal landscape design maximizes sunlight and minimizes winter wind contact and increases cooling summer shade and fresh breezes.

But does all this really matter?

Yes. The Department of Energy estimates that just three well-placed trees can save a home between $100 and $250 annually. They also estimate that a well-designed landscape can provide a return on investment in just eight years. Further, a landscape with beautiful trees, bushes and shrubs increases the value of your home, too.

When designing a landscape, choose plants that are acclimated to your environment. If not, you’ll waste both water and time trying to keep them alive. The point is to work with your surroundings and not fight them. These are principles you can employ while landscaping to maximize energy efficiency.

Trees: Shade and Windbreaks

Strategically placed trees reduce indoor temperatures by up to 25% and increase energy efficiency up to 10% during the summer. Trees also serve as windbreaks in the winter months. Deciduous trees provide shade in the summer and sun in the winter. Evergreens work double duty as shade and windbreaks.

For cooling, shade trees should be planted by west-facing windows and directly east of east- facing windows. During the winter, trees planted on the southeast or southwest will require trimming to let in winter sun. Evergreen trees should be planted to the north and northwest to offer optimal windbreaks.

For sun and warmth in the winter, avoid planting evergreens on the south side of your home—this blocks the sun.

Trees take a long time to mature and become effective. So, in addition to trees, plant vines that will provide shade quickly and efficiently—on trellises, archways, and near windows they help absorb light and reduce heat gain in the summer. Most vines grow so quickly that they will begin to reduce your costs in just a year.

Insulating Space

Plant bushes, vines, and shrubs around your home’s perimeter to create pockets of “dead” insulating air year round. These plants should be placed so that, when fully grown, they will be at least one foot from your home.

House Orientation and Windows

When building, try to align your home’s axis in an east-west direction. Its south-facing wall should be the most windowed and longest. The north-facing wall should be less windowed because winter winds tend to come from the north. However, in warmer climates, windows on the north actually provide better climate control because those tend to receive little solar heat.

The Department of Energy provides a graphic overview of what your site goals should be depending on your location. Here is a second guide that provides regional goals of site selection.

Savings For You

The Department of Energy estimates that well-placed trees can bring savings of hundreds of dollars and increase your home’s energy efficiency by 10 to 25%.

Learn more ways to save on power with LADWP.
Learn more about the assumptions behind Magenta House water and power savings calculations.

HELPFUL RESOURCES
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