Cold weather has given way to air conditioning season and home owners are ready to find new ways to save on their energy bills. Energy.gov suggests a variety of techniques for those who want to stay comfortable on the cheap.
Top among the site’s recommendations is to landscape for shade: landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 50 percent. Neighborhoods with plenty of trees can see daytime temperatures of 6 degrees less than treeless areas, too. Shrubs and ground cover can cool air before it reaches the house, providing an even bigger break on bills.
Landscapes can also be designed to conserve water. Group plants with similar water requirements together, raise your lawn mower’s cutting height and water in the early morning to keep water from evaporating in the heat.
A landscape designed with these and other tips in mind can pay for itself in less than eight years, according to the website.