Article #1403 - Site Planning - Shade Trees
Existing trees on a building site may provide more benefits than hassles to builders. One benefit is increased salability. In 1992, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) estimated that a tree filled lot may increase the value of a home by as much as 20%. American Forests and the NAHB (1995) found that mature trees may add from $3,000 to $15,000 to the value of a residential lot.
Trees also bring value by providing shade. It is far better to prevent solar energy from reaching a house than to attempt to manage it once it enters. Deciduous shade trees block summer sunlight before it strikes windows, walls, and roofs, dissipating absorbed heat to the air where it can be carried away by the breeze.
Trees are most effective when located next to windows, walls, and air conditioners, and when located on the side of the home receiving the most solar exposure. Shade to the southwest and west is especially important for blocking peak solar gain the summer in late afternoon. Trees more than 35 feet away from the structure are probably too far away for shade.
Additional Information
How to Size HVAC Systems Correctly
Bigger is Not Always Better with HVAC Systems
How Do I Demonstrate Compliance with the SHGC Requirements in the IECC?
Landscaping for Energy Efficiency
This article is an exerpt from the Building America Best Practice Series, Volume 1: Hot-Humid Climate.