Landscaping and Your Microclimate
Mature deciduous trees provide shade in the summer and sunlight filtration in the winter.
Photo credit: John Krigger, Saturn Resource.
The climate immediately surrounding your home is called its microclimate. When landscaping for energy efficiency, it's important to consider your microclimate along with your regional climate.
Your home's microclimate may receive more sun, shade, wind, rain, snow, moisture, and/or dryness than average local conditions. If your home is located on a sunny southern slope, it may have a warm microclimate, even if you live in a cool region. Or, even though you live in a hot-humid region, your home may be situated in a comfortable microclimate because of abundant shade and dry breezes. Nearby bodies of water may increase your site's humidity or decrease its air temperature.
Microclimatic factors also help determine what plants may or may not grow in your landscape.