This isn’t a story that has much to do with sensors and controls, but it is a phenomenon taking place within the HVAC industry that is rather interesting.  It is no secret that many homeowners are seeking ways to cut costs associated with heating and cooling their homes.  This is the primary reason why the sensors and controls market has grown so rapidly in this country.  However, it isn’t just the outdoor air sensor, the smart thermostat, or the pressure sensor that can improve the efficiency of a home.  Landscaping can help too.

It might sound crazy, but it is absolutely true.  Landscapers and HVAC technicians are working together to reduce the energy consumption in homes throughout the country.  There is much that the landscaper can do that the HVAC technician simply can’t.  It begins with well-placed trees, shrubs, and vines.  Tall shrubbery and ornamental trees can provide shade in the summer, thereby reducing the degree to which the indoor air temperature is raised by the sun’s rays.  They can also act as wind blocks in the winter, reducing the degree to which the indoor air is cooled.  Vinery can provide a sort of natural insulation.  Of course, vines earned a bad rap for many years, as homeowners feared the rate at which they would eat away at siding, clapboard, shingles and other exterior materials.  New studies have revealed, though, that the vines did not deserve the notoriety.  They cause little to no harm to the exterior of the home, while providing one more layer of insulation against the heat of the sun in the summer, and the bitter cold of winter winds.

The landscapers do have to work with the HVAC teams, though, in order to avoid problem situations.  The outdoor units that provide air conditioning to the home, for instance, must not be encased by landscaping.  They require adequate air flow.  Together, though, landscapers and HVAC technicians can greatly improve the efficiency of your home, which means lower utility bills greeting you each month.