Plant Trees to Save Energy and Grow Value

Plant a tree to add value to your home and have a positive impact on the local environment.


But every year, 3.2 million acres of forest are cut down, according to the Nature Conservancy. Several million more acres are lost to fire, storm, and disease. That's why planting new trees and protecting the ones we have is so important. You can do your part by caring for the trees in your yard.

Supporting tree-planting activities in your community
Donating to organizations, such as The Nature Conservancy, which works to preserve the world's trees and forests, and American Forests, which offers a unique way to take action. First, use its online Climate Change Calculator to determine your carbon footprint. Then, make up for your emissions by donating to a forest restoration project.

Why should you care about trees?

Bankable benefits:
The most tangible bang from your bark comes from energy savings. Three properly placed trees could save you between $100 and $250 a year in energy costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Trees save energy two main ways. Their shade cuts cooling costs in the summer. In winter, they serve as windbreak and help hold down heating costs.

The National Tree Calculator estimates that a 12-inch elm in an Omaha yard can save $32.43 a year on your energy bills; the same tree in Atlanta would save you $11.89 annually. The calculator also breaks down other dollars and cents benefits of your tree, like decreasing storm water runoff, removing carbon dioxide from the air, and increasing property values.

In our elm example, the 12-inch tree adds $40.23 to the Omaha home's value and a $57.33 to the one in Atlanta. And as trees grow larger, they can add even more value.

A 2002 study by the USDA Forest Service pegs the value a single tree adds to a property of about $630. Of course, tree value depends on size, species, location, and condition.

Adds Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston, “On a $100,000 home [in my market], as much as $10,000 of its value could be associated with mature trees.”

That's peanuts compared with the role trees play as the lungs of the planet. A report by the Trust for Public Land estimated that one mature tree takes 48 pounds of carbon out of the atmosphere each year and returns enough oxygen for two human beings.

Plant your tree in the right spot
To get the full benefits from your trees, choose the right one and put it in the right location. Planting a deciduous tree on the west side of a house provides cooling shade in the summer. In winter, after it loses its leaves, the same tree lets in sunlight that cuts heating and lighting bills. On the other hand, an evergreen on the west side blocks sun all year long, making a home colder and darker in winter. Rather plant evergreens, a great choice for blocking icy winter winds, on the north side of your home.

If you're planting a new tree, think about its fully grown size and shape before you dig. Branches from a tree located below power lines can cause outages as it grows. Roots from a tree located too close to a home can damage the foundation or block sewer lines. The wrong tree in the wrong place could actually lower your home's appraised value if it's deemed hazardous, says Frank Lucco, a real estate appraiser with IRR-Residential in Houston.

Tree costs
Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a 6- to 7-foot deciduous tree, such as a katsura or evergreen. The same tree at 15 feet will cost $100 to $200, according to Brad Swank of Molbak's Nursery in Woodinville, Wash. The Arbor Day Foundation sells saplings for as little as $8-$15, or less if you're a member.

Since trees cost money, be cautious about any home construction work. "Tree failure can happen seven to 10 years after construction, primarily because the root system fails when the soil is compacted," says Thomas Hanson, a member of the American Society of Consulting Arborists from Kirkland, Wash. Also watch for diseases or pests that can threaten trees in your yard and community.

Become a tree advocate
Ensuring that your community has lots of healthy trees doesn't have to be more complicated than a trip to the nursery and a hole in your backyard. Dig it twice as wide as deep. Let kids push in the dirt and help water weekly until the tree is two years old. The Arbor Day Foundation will tell you how to select the right tree for your needs and climate, where to plant it, and how to maintain it.

The foundation also is a great place to look for community and educational programs.

Its Tree City USA initiative provides expert advice and national recognition to cities and towns that want to establish tree-management plans.
Its Arbor Day Poster Contest for fifth-graders gives teachers a fun way to help students learn the importance of trees.
Its nationwide list of volunteer organizations lets you search for tree care opportunities in your state.
Considering everything trees do for you, it's the least you can do for them.

9 Unexpected Energy (and Money) Savers

Just in time for Earth Day, here are a few surprising and simple ways to cut your energy bill this season:

Put lamps in the corners:
Did you know you can switch to a lower wattage bulb in a lamp or lower its dimmer switch and not lose a noticeable amount of light? It’s all about placement. When a lamp is placed in a corner, the light reflects off the adjoining walls, which makes the room lighter and brighter.

Switch to a laptop:
If you’re reading this article on a laptop, you’re using 1/3 less energy than if you’re reading this on a desktop.

Choose an LCD TV:
If you’re among those considering a flat-screen upgrade from your conventional, CRT TV, choose an LCD screen for the biggest energy save.

Give your water heater a blanket:
Just like you pile on extra layers in the winter, your hot water heater can use some extra insulation too. A fiberglass insulation blanket is a simple addition that can cut heat loss and save 4% to 9% on the average water-heating bill.

Turn off the burner before you’re done cooking:
When you turn off an electric burner, it doesn’t cool off immediately. Use that to your advantage by turning it off early and using the residual heat to finish up your dish.

Add motion sensors:
You might be diligent about shutting off unnecessary lights, but your kids? Not so much. Adding motion sensors to playrooms and bedrooms cost only $15 to $50 per light, and ensures you don’t pay for energy that you’re not using.

Spin laundry faster:
The faster your washing machine can spin excess water out of your laundry, the less you’ll need to use your dryer. Many newer washers spin clothes so effectively, they cut drying time and energy consumption in half—which results in an equal drop in your dryer’s energy bill.

Use an ice tray:
Stop using your automatic icemaker. It increases your fridge’s energy consumption by 14% to 20%. Ice trays, on the other hand, don’t increase your energy costs one iota.

Use the dishwasher:
If you think doing your dishes by hand is greener than powering up the dishwasher, you’re wrong. Dishwashers use about 1/3 as much hot water and relieve that much strain from your energy-taxing water heater. Added bonus: you don’t have to wash any dishes.

Okay...let's say your tax refund was just $500

Here are five great ideas for investing a tax refund in your home if you receive $500 or less back from the IRS this year.

1. Go with the low flow
If you're tired of watching money go down the drain, invest in the latest low-flow showerheads. Old showerheads (pre-1992) can pump out 5 gallons of water per minute. Newer showerheads, while more efficient, still use 2.5 gallons per minute. But the latest low-flow showerheads use up to 50% less water than even the newer showerheads, yet technological innovations make it seem as if you're bathing under the same amount of water.

The latest low-flow showerheads run between $50 and $200 apiece, but the payback can be quick. Swapping out old showerheads can reduce your home's water-heating costs by about $150 a year. If your showerheads are already updated, but you're still looking for ways to save on water, install a low-flow toilet. One of these efficient flushers can shave $90 off your annual water bill.

2. When it rains, it pours
Homeowners insurance is critical, but it's not comprehensive. Most policies offer limited liability protection that could prove inadequate if someone gets hurt on your property and you get sued. Umbrella insurance offers liability protection beyond the limits of your homeowners policy. An extra $1 million in umbrella liability coverage, which extends to your cars, too, typically costs about $300.

If your liability insurance is sufficient, then consider flood insurance instead. Floods can affect homes in all 50 states, yet fewer than 1 in 5 homeowners have flood insurance. Typical homeowners policies exclude floods. The average flood policy costs $540, according to the National Flood Insurance Program; the average flood claim totals more than $33,000.

3. A model of energy efficiency
A typical homeowner spends an extra $350 a year on heating and cooling due to air leaks. Gaps, even small ones, around doors, windows, and recessed lights waste energy and raise utility bills. You can conduct your own energy audit and try to seal air leaks yourself, but the result will vary wildly depending on your DIY skills.

A better option might be a professional energy audit, which can cost between $400 and $600 for a full diagnostic inspection. Expect the use of sophisticated equipment like thermal or infrared scanners, blower door testers, and smoke puffers that can pinpoint energy leaks. A visual-only inspection by a pro costs less--about $150--but the findings won't be as accurate.

4. Lightning only needs to strike once
A power surge, whether caused by a lightning strike or some other fluctuation in your supply of electricity, can wreak havoc on home electronics. Thousands of dollars' worth of computers, appliances, and entertainment equipment can get fried in the blink of an eye. If you're lucky, perhaps some of your electronics are plugged in to surge protector power strips. Most probably aren't.

Although homeowners insurance offers peace of mind that your possessions will get replaced, a smart way to prevent damage in the first place--and avoid the hassle of filing claims and paying deductibles--is investing in a whole-house surge protector. For about $300, an electrician can install the device at your breaker box. It only takes an hour or two. Keep surge protector power strips in place for an added layer of safety.

5. Roll out the rain barrel
Why pay for water when nature supplies it free of charge? The typical homeowner spends about $140 annually on water used outdoors. Meanwhile, an inch of rain dumped on the roof of a 2,000-square-foot house produces 500 gallons of runoff. It makes sense to harvest that rainwater to nourish plants and rinse off patio furniture. Enter the rain barrel.

A rain barrel is much like it sounds: A large container hooked into a downspout that stores rainwater for later outdoor use. A basic commercial rain barrel can cost as little as $50; a more sophisticated system with multiple barrels, pumps, and spigots can run as much as $600. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that a rain barrel can save 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months, and that's a lot of showers or loads of laundry!

Using your $1000 tax refund for the biggest home bang

Consider these five great projects that cost around $1,000 if you decide to invest a tax refund in your home this year.

1. It all comes out in the wash
It might not sound sexy, but equipping your laundry room with a new washing machine will pay off immediately on your utility bills. Today's high-efficiency washers use less water per load than standard top-loaders, so you save on your water and water-heating bills. Replacing a washer made before 2000 with an Energy Star model can save a typical homeowner as much as $135 annually. We bought one last fall and there's a world of efficiency difference, and much lower water usage.

A high-efficiency top-loader costs between $700 and $900. A stylish and even more efficient alternative is a front-loading washer. Prices for front-loaders start at about $750. As a bonus, either high-efficiency option could net you an appliance rebate from the manufacturer, your local utility company, or your state government.

2. Make your mortgage disappear
A mortgage, especially one that spans three decades, can seem insurmountable. Yet it's possible to use small sums of money over time to make a big dent in the principal. The net result is saving thousands of dollars on interest and shortening the time you spend paying off the home loan.

Let's say you take out a $250,000 mortgage. The rate is fixed for 30 years at 6%. Your monthly payment would be $1,500. Over 30 years, you'd pay a total of $540,000. But if you pay an extra $100 per month--$1,200 per year--you'd pay off the mortgage four years early and save $52,000 in interest. Use a mortgage calculator to run your own numbers.

3. Where there's no smoke, there's fire
Do you dream of curling up in front of a roaring fire, yet your home lacks that one essential ingredient--namely, a fireplace? Don't fret. Your dream can become reality at a surprisingly affordable price. Ventless fireplaces offer the ambiance of the real thing without the need for a chimney or flue to vent smoke outdoors.

Ventless fireplaces, which exhaust small amounts of combustion gases inside the home, can run on natural gas, propane, electricity, or flammable gel. At between $2,000 and $6,000, including professional installation, gas units are pricey. More budget-friendly is an electric ventless fireplace that starts at $1,000. All you need to do is plug it in. Gel-fueled fireplaces are in the $300 to $700 range, with no professional installation required. A gel canister that'll burn for two-plus hours costs $3.

4. Don't knock it 'til you try it
A new entry door can do wonders for a home. Not only can it enhance curb appeal and security, but the right door can lower utility costs too. An energy-efficiency exterior door can shave as much as 10% off energy bills. Plus, if you install an eligible door in 2011, you can claim a federal tax credit worth up to $500, excluding installation charges.

Wood and fiberglass doors are usually the most expensive options, but you can get a steel entry door installed in a couple of hours (assuming no surprises) for about $1,200. The money you get back from the tax credit will reduce this cost. As a bonus, Remodeling Magazine estimates that a $1,200 steel entry door replacement project actually will add an incremental amount of value (102%) to your home.

5. You take the high road, I'll take the slow road
Don't let your property line limit your spending plans. Some small investments on your part can benefit an entire neighborhood, which not only improves livability but can also increase property values. Take, for example, the speed hump, a raised mound of pavement on a residential street designed to slow lead-footed drivers.

One traffic-calming study found that 12-foot speed humps reduced average speeds by 22% and the average number of traffic accidents by 11%. You'll need to work with your local government to have a speed hump installed, but offering to foot the bill can grease the wheels of bureaucracy. Basic speed humps start at about $1,000 apiece. Your share will be less if you convince neighbors to chip in.

Now if your tax refund is around $500.00 or less stay check back for our next posting...

Using your $2500 tax refund for the biggest home bang

If you want to invest a tax refund in your home this year, consider these Five great projects that cost around $2,500.

1. A tankless task
If you're like most homeowners, you probably don't care how your water gets heated, so long as it's hot when you turn on the shower. Fair enough. But your water heater deserves closer attention, especially if it's more than a decade old. That's when conventional storage-tank water heaters tend to fail, leaving you with a wet mess.

You can replace your water heater with another storage-tank model for between $500 and $1,500 installed. Better yet, spend between $1,500 and $2,500, including installation, on a gas tankless water heater. It takes up half the space, lasts twice as long, and will save the typical homeowner about $115 a year on water-heating costs. Buy certain approved water heaters in 2011 to take advantage of a federal energy tax credit that'll reimburse you up to $500.

2. Think pink
A few rolls of that familiar pink fiberglass insulation could save you a lot of green. In cold climates like the Northeast, getting an attic up to recommended insulation levels could lower energy bills by $600 a year. Blown-in cellulose or fiberglass insulation can work equally well, depending on your attic. Consult a qualified contractor.

Figure you'll pay a contractor between $1,000 and $2,500 to insulate your attic. Costs vary based on square footage, attic accessibility, where you live, and insulation type. Add insulation in 2011 and qualify for a federal energy tax credit worth up to $500. The tax credit excludes installation, so ask your contractor to separate materials cost and labor cost on your invoice.

3. No pane, no gain
Replacement windows offer a lot to homeowners: energy efficiency, aesthetic appeal, low maintenance, and high resale value. Unfortunately, those benefits come with a steep price tag. High-efficiency replacement windows that qualify for a federal energy tax credit cost between $500 and $1,000 apiece installed, so you're looking at spending $10,000 or more to outfit a typical home.

Budget-minded homeowners can get similar energy savings--15% to 40% off heating and cooling bills--at a much lower price by opting instead for tax-credit-eligible storm windows. Storm windows, which work in conjunction with existing windows to lower energy consumption, cost between $100 and $300 each installed. Adding storm windows to a typical house takes a day or two, vs. two to three days for replacement windows.

4. Give your garage a facelift
Homes with prominent garages can benefit greatly from a curb-appeal standpoint from the addition of new garage doors. Standard doors usually come in wood or steel. It costs between $550 and $1,650, including installation, for a single door. A double door runs between $800 and $2,500. Custom garage doors cost more, as do heavy-duty aluminum doors.

5. Emergency power to the people
A blizzard sweeps in, the lights go out, and you're left with no heat until the utility company can fix downed power lines. Estimated wait time for repairs: two days. What's a resourceful homeowner to do? Crank up the portable generator, that's what.

Portable generators cost between $500 for a 3-kilowatt model to $2,000 for a 10-kilowatt model. Larger units should be able to power a heater, some lights, the refrigerator, and a few other essentials for as long as you can keep the generator supplied with gasoline. A pricier alternative is a permanent standby generator that's hard-wired to your home's electric grid. Standby generators start at around $4,000 to $5,000, though prices can escalate quickly.

Say you got a refund and it's something less...stay tuned for other ideas costing less.

Four great, summery ways to invest your $3,000 tax refund in your house.

Let's just assume you're getting a refund this year and looking for ways to improve the resale and personal value of your home. Well, if it's a substantial refund like $3k, here are some ideas to put the money to good (and wise) use. Upgrading and maintaining your home preserves its value, giving you a nice return on your investment. Plus, you’ll enjoy the fruits of your labors every day. With summer on the horizon, these are four outdoorsy ideas for spending your refund. Add outdoor lighting Show your house in its best light, even in the evening, with an outdoor lighting scheme. You’ll enhance your home’s architectural features and play up landscaping details, plus you’ll be adding safety and security to your property. Here’s a quick price check on a professionally installed system: 7 LED outdoor lighting fixtures to illuminate 100 feet of walkway: $2,275. A transformer to convert household current into low-voltage: $400. Two motion-detector security lighting fixtures: $300. Total: $2,975 Install a patio A backyard patio is an inexpensive way to add some sweet living area to your home. For a professionally installed brick or concrete paver patio that’s 12 by 16 feet--plenty of space for a table, chairs, and barbecue equipment—you’ll pay about $15 per square foot, or $3,000 total. Expect a payback of 30% to 60% on your investment (plus many hours of great outdoor living). Other paving materials include limestone, slate, and granite. Concrete is a less expensive option that costs $6 to $12 per square foot, installed. Upgrade your deck Make your deck more livable with upgrades that add shade, increase privacy, and provide convenience. Shade sails provide soft, diffuse shade for areas not covered by trees and building overhangs. They’re made of weatherproof materials that never need maintenance, and come in various shapes. Professional installation of a 12-foot triangular sail costs about $3,000, including the sail and support posts. Cable railings are thin stainless steel cables stretched between posts. They open up views and add a contemporary feel. Expect to pay $70 per lineal foot for the railings plus pro installation. Built-in planters add visual texture and help define separate areas of your deck. Integrate their construction with built-in benches to add seating. You’ll spend $150 to $250 per lineal foot for cedar or redwood planters and benches, including materials and installation. Replace your air conditioning Hoping the old unit holds on for another year? New central air conditioning units require 30% less electricity and lower energy bills by 30% more than AC units made just a few years ago. You also may qualify for a $300 energy tax credit. Prices for a new energy-efficient central air conditioner start around $3,000. Our next postings will look at the good use of lesser sized tax refunds. See you soon.