branches are above the house's eaves.
Even with the leaves off, the branches
block out a lot of the desirable
winter sunlight. Site Planning for
Saving Energy
One large tree can get
rid of as much heat as
five 10,000-Btu
air conditioners.
by Alex Wilson
Take a close look at a house built in
Colonial times. Chances are, it
incorporates energy-conserving
features in its orientation, plantings,
and other site characteristics.
Our ancestors knew that by
properly situating a house and
protecting it from cold winter winds,
they would have to cut and split less
firewood. That kind of forethought
makes just as much sense today.
This column will review the three
most important energy considerations
in site planning: slope, orientation,
and plantings. Following simple
guidelines