Landscaping
Clever landscaping can protect your home from the summer sun and cold winter winds.
On this page:
Take action
Add energy efficiency to your landscaping
Use the checklist of design tips below to help make the most of your environment and make energy savings.
Checklist for landscape planning
1. Make the most of winter sun
- Keep the area in front of north-facing windows clear of tall trees.
2. Protection from winter winds
- Plant dense wind breaks to the south and southwest to break up strong winter winds.
3. Keep cool in summer
- Avoid paving directly in front of north-facing windows. Use groundcovers to reduce reflected heat into windows during summer.
- Position low shrubs, lawn and ponds to the north to help cool hot summer winds.
- Plant deciduous trees and shrubs to shade walls and windows.
- Consider south-facing courtyards with moist cool ferneries or pools.
4. Choose amenity lighting
- Find out more about energy efficient options for your landscaping and amenity lighting at the section on Home lighting requirements.
More information
- Refer to the Department of Building and Housing’s comprehensive discussion: Planting and landscaping. [Smarter Homes website. ]
- To see the benefits of energy efficient landscaping, go to Landscaping the Waitakere NOW Home. [Beacon NOW Home website.]