How Much Energy Can Shade Trees and Vegetation Save?
Trees and vegetation planted strategically to block the sun’s direct radiation and prevent heat transfer to a home or building can reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 40% annually, according to scientists at Florida International University. As a result, this low-tech strategy has been used for hundreds of years. Of course, the effectiveness with which trees can reduce energy transfer depends on a number of factors such as tree density, shape, and placement. If trees and vegetation are widely planted throughout a city, the natural cooling process of evapotranspiration can decrease local air temperatures, indirectly lowering air conditioning demand in buildings.
