Energy efficient landscaping can make your home more comfortable while conserving vital natural resources. Landscape water use accounts for about 30 percent of residential water use. Further, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that about 50 percent of outdoor water is wasted due to over-watering, runoff and evaporation. Smart landscaping designs can lower your energy bills all year long.
Many people don’t know that you can control your home’s temperature from the outside. You can manage your climate, energy usage, and financial expenditure by planting trees around your home.
Energy Efficient Landscaping Tips
Shade Trees
A properly-placed tree not only provides shade year-round, but because of the heat that it can block against your home, you can save about 20-25% on your home energy costs. Be sure that if you are going to plant any trees close to your home, only plant those that fit your landscape, and ideal for your area, based on seasons.
Dead Space
Planting vines, shrubs and bushes near the walls of your home traps an insulating pocket of “dead air” that helps regulate temperatures in all seasons. Place plants far enough away so that there will be about a foot of space between the full-grown vegetation and the house. Planting too close can cause problems with your foundation and encourage pests to take up residence indoors.
Reduce Water Usage
landscaping with plants that use less water — can reduce your outdoor water use by up to 50 percent. You can minimize the amount of yard and lawn real estate taken up by thirsty grass by considering alternatives such as planting beds, wildflowers and mulch beds of bark. Adding a deck, patio and/or an assortment of stone or gravel walking paths are all great xeriscaping solutions for your backyard.
High Winds
Planting a wind break that includes thick vegetation of various sizes can reduce wind speeds up to 30 times the height of the tallest plants. This prevents seasonal winds from buffeting your home and undermining the efficiency of your heating or cooling system. Use plants such as evergreens to ensure protection in both summer and winter months.
Arbor Hills Trees & Landscaping Services
Arbor Hills Trees & Landscaping Services can provide you with everything from detailed maintenance programs to unique plant production, and other services in between. That means we build water features, walls, patios, irrigation, walkways, outdoor kitchens, lighting and anything else you can help us dream up. Our professionally trained staff can build the landscape of your dreams!
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Fire Pit Designs Landscaping Services
Imagine the ambiance created in your backyard landscape by a custom fire pit. Nothing is more inviting on a cool spring night or for fall and winter gatherings of family and friends. A fire pit may be used to provide warmth during outdoor entertaining, but also as a heat source for outdoor cooking or simply roasting marshmallows. Our trained custom fire pit installers are experts in turning your vision into reality. More…
Outdoor Living Landscaping Services
Unlimited Outdoor Kitchen offers professional outdoor kitchen, outdoor fireplace, and outdoor living room design, building, and installation services with FREE ESTIMATES. More…
Retaining Walls Landscaping Services
Enhance the beauty of your landscape with a retaining wall that is customized to coordinate with your home’s exterior. At Arbor Hills, our retaining wall designer will create a functional retaining wall that is aesthetically pleasing for your personal taste, and within your target budget. With the many materials available today, the retaining wall project you’ve been considering is just a phone call away! More…
Stamped and Colored Concrete
It is time to upgrade or replace some of the hardscape features surrounding your home? Stamped and colored concrete is a beautiful and affordable material. It enhances the color and texture featured on your home’s exterior. Stamped concrete in textures from modern to rustic are available to coordinate with your home’s existing design features. Colored concrete can be blended to match or enhance your home’s exterior color scheme. A designer from Arbor Hills will consider all these existing features at your site visit and when designing your project. More…
Patio Pavers Landscaping Services
Concrete pavers are a great way to improve your landscape and garden. They are super strong and lend themselves to many hardscaping projects. They rarely crack but if they do, each piece is easily replaceable. More…
Landscape Lighting Designs
Outdoor lighting can be nearly as important to the overall look and feel of your home as the landscaping itself. So you shouldn’t short-change yourself by skimping on quality lighting products. We are a full-service landscape and waterscape company that can solve all of your residential and commercial lighting needs anywhere in Omaha and the surrounding areas. More…
Water Feature Landscaping Designs
Imagine the sight and sound of bubbling water as you relax in your outdoor sanctuary. A water feature can give just the right ambiance to your outdoor retreat. Or, if you are looking for a water feature with traffic-slowing curb appeal, a designer from Arbor Hills will help you choose the water feature that best enhances your home. More…
Sod Installation Services
Whether you have just built your home, cleared agricultural land for your personal use or simply want to improve the look of your existing yard, having sod installed is a fast way to create the lush, green carpet of grass you want. It offers instant satisfaction rather than the weeks of waiting and anticipating whether or not your grass seed is going to grow. Plus, using sod offers a host of other benefits. More…
Mulch & Rock Landscaping Services
The concept, to design, to delivery and installation, we have more than 20 years experience in the landscaping industry in the Omaha and surrounding areas. Our services include delivery, full installation, and clean-up of mulch and rock around your beds, trees, and more. More…
Plants & Shrubs Landscaping
Plants and shrubs are the backbone of your landscape and should be the first things you plant. Proper selection will enhance a home’s appearance and increase property value while reflecting the homeowner’s style and personality. More…
Tree Nursery
Let our trained nursery professionals assist you in selecting the perfect tree or shrub to complete your landscape. We carry a selection that is unmatched in the Omaha and the surrounding areas and are willing and eager to explain our favorites. Improved varieties are introduced each year and we always strive to carry the best and newest – varieties more resistant to disease, shade trees better able to withstand storm damage and ornamentals in unique colors, shapes and sizes you have to see to believe. More…