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Minnesota Arbor Month Fact Sheet <br />#4: PLANTENG FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION <br /> IN THE NORTH <br /> <br /> Trees work for energy c0nservatioa in' ha~); <br />ways. Strategically lo6ated shade trees can help <br />reduce 'air condifionin~ costs. Trees pi'anted as <br />windbreaks reduce winter heating bills. Trees give ' <br />off oxygen and consume carbon dioxide emitted into <br />the atmosphere by such things as the bumi~ of" <br />fossil fuels. Energy conservation saves people <br />money and is good for the environment, too. <br /> <br /> ', : 2..'' ',"~:::"~(." " ' ~' " <br />Shade to the West'and East '," <br /> <br />southeast of su-uctures and ivoid dense shrubs t6 the <br />south and southeast of openable windows. <br /> <br />Allow Winter Solar Gain <br /> <br /> Avoid Planting Trees to the. So~h: A home in <br />the upper midwest needs at least I0 times more <br />energy for heating than for cooling, even in a fully "' <br />ak-conditioned home. A significant amount of <br />winter heat is gained from the southerly sun shining <br />tl:~ro'ugh windows. Tree4. (even deciduous ones) <br />planted due south of a home will negatively shade it <br />in the winter (when the sun is low) but will not shade. <br />it in the summer when the sun is more directly <br />overhead at midday. To avoid winter shade, trees <br />planted due south of a structure should be nO closer <br /> <br />than a distance of about two times the mature height <br />'$f the tree. - - <br /> <br />Tree ~ located south of house. <br /> <br /> ~;hade West Windows. Highest priority should <br /> be given to planting deciduous trees due west of <br /> west-facing windows. This will reduce energy use in <br /> air-conditioned structures, increase comfort in <br /> non-ak-conditioned structures, and reduce peak -' <br /> electrical consumption.- : .":. <br /> <br /> Shade East Windows. East-facing windows <br />receiv, e the same solar gain in the morning that the <br />west-oriented ones receive in the afternoon. While <br />peak daily temperatures and peak air conditioning <br />demand give priority to afternoon shade on the west, <br />shading the east is nearly as important. ', ':;: <br /> <br /> Shade Air Condition_ers. Tall to medium height. <br />shade trees should be planted to the south, southeast, <br />or southwest of the air cbnditioner to maximize <br />shade on the equipment.from mid-morning through <br />evening. Keep shrubs and branches away from the <br />air conditioner to permit necessary air flow. <br /> <br /> _Shade Paved Areas. Plant trees to directly shade <br />paved areas (driveways, parking lots, patios). · <br /> <br /> Encourage Summer Breez¢~ To reduce energy. <br />use, buildings should be cooled with natural <br />v~ntilation whenever possible. In areas where : <br />summer breezes come from the south t6 southeast, <br />dense vegetation should be avoided near windows <br />that can be opened to take advantag,e of these <br />breezes. Prune branches high on trees'planted io the <br /> <br /> <br />