HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1978-04-26, Page 19SHADE TREES CAN BE most efficient climate controllers. For best effect, the American
Association of Nurserymen says they should be placed on the east and south sides of a build-
ing. In summer their leafy canopies provide cooling shade; in winter they drop their leaves to
let the sun's warmth shine through. Because they have such cooling effect, they also help save
money for air conditioning in hotmonths.
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Let keep you .cool
Homeowners who want to
save money on their utility
bills can take a few tips from
their grandparents.
Before technology deliv-
ered us from the discomforts
of our climate, people used
natural methods for cooling
their houses in the summer
and conserving the heat they
had in the cold months. The
natural ways are still avail-
able to us and they are sur-
prisingly inexpensive and
easy to do.
With energy in short sup-
ply and rising in cost,
everyone has to be concerned
with conservation. •
Until government and in-
dustry come up with a solu-
tion to the problem of scarce
fossil fuels, the American
Association of Nurserymen
points' out three smart things
homeowners can do to use
their energy supplies wisely
around the house.
First, make the heating
and cooling systems work
more efficiently and use
them conservatively. Second,
use other energy sources such
as sun and wind.
Third, take steps to reduce
energy needs in the home by
controlling the effects of cli-
mate on the house itself.
Trees and other plantings
can help do all these things.
These are the methods our
grandparents used. They
opened their windows on hot
days and let cool breezes run
through the ,house. These
breezes were nicely chan-
neled by thick hedges planted
in the right places outside.
The big leafy shade trees
were located where. they
rained shade on the house to
keep it cool and comfortable
during the summer.
In effect, they created
their own "miniclimate" in
and around their hoUses. Re-
gardless of the weather out-
side, those old houses man-
aged to remain comfortable
all year around without ex-
pensive, fuel-consUming air
conditioners and sophisticat-
ed heating units.
Even in modern houses
honieowners can create their
own energy-saving minicli-
mate which, will not only help
save money' and energy, but
which enhances the value of
the property.
Proper landscaping with
trees, bushes, shrubs, ever-
greens and other plantings
requires just good common
sense and a little professional
advice from a local garden
center or nurseryman.
Shade trees, for example,
are among nature's most ef-
ficient climate controllers. In
the summer, their big leafy
umbrellas provide a cooling
shade in or around a house.
They also give, off cooling
vapor through transpiration.
In • winter, • they drop their
leaves and allow the warming
effects of the sun to come
through.
Smart planting and en-
ergy-saving measures can
help every modern day
homeowner create his own
energy-saving "miniclimate."
You don't have to be rich
to rededorate your home.
Many have
found that living on a
tight budget doesn't neces-
sarily mean doing without.
- There are ways to refur-
bish economically. Here
are just a few:
• Organize a com-
munity trading coopera-
tive. Set the place, date
and time and ask your
neighbors to bring furni-
ture and household acces-
sories they no longer use,
need or want. Then trade
with each other to get new
items for your homes.
This method helps
everyone dispose of un-:
wanted items and reduce
clutter around their homes
—and you may each find
exactly what you need to
spruce up your homes for
free!
• Renew, rather than
redo, household basics. So,
if draperies and slipcovers
are looking drab, treat
them to a thorough clean-
ing to restore their bright-
ness.
' A good rule of thumb is
to restore before spending
more. For' instance, before
investing in a costly paint
job because walls have got-
ten streaked and dirty,
give them a dose of "elbow
grease." Wash walls with
industrial-
strength cleaner and
water to get them looking
almost like new again, and
use the money saved on
paint to buy things' you
can't do or make yourself.
• Take advantage of ac-
cessories to brighten up
rooms. Throw pillows are
always good for accenting
a couch—try several in a
variety of hues if you wish
to introduce new color to
your living room.
Some small curios and
knick-knacks can add in-
terest and provide new
focal points
• Practice "musical
chairs" art—every few
months rearrange paint-
ings and other wall hang-
ings or move them from
room to room. You'll be
pleasantly surprised with
the results.
• Grow lots of plants.
They look great in every
room; many are inexpen-
sive, easy to care for—and
never go out of style.
Floors can get
sunburned too
So you think that only
people get sun-burned?
So can your curtains, your,
upholstery, your furniture,
and even your floor!
But here's an easy and
attractive way to add pro-
tection from the sun's de-
structive ultraviolet rays
— hang decorative shades
at the windows.
It naturally follows that
they will also help cut
heat loss in winter and
heat gain in summer.
You don't have to be rich to decorate