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In Southwest Florida homes, approximately 47 percent of the energy used is for cooling, and 8 percent for heating. This could mean that more than half of your utility bill is spent to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

Landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home more comfortable and reduce your energy bills. According to the Department of Energy, just three trees properly placed around the house, can save an average household between $100 and $250 in heating and cooling.

Trees planted in your yard can help reduce the discomfort of summer in two ways:

1. Provide a canopy of shade. The tree's leaves absorb or reflect sunshine that would otherwise hit the home.
2. Cool the air around the home through evapotranspiration, a process where leaves absorb heat, cooling the surrounding air by as much as 9-degrees.

You should never attempt to trim a tree near electrical wires or remove branches that are touching power lines. If you touch a tree that is in contact with a power line, you could be seriously injured or killed. Also, be sure there are no power lines nearby if children are climbing your trees.

Call before you dig!

Homeowners are required by law to call Sunshine State One Call, at 1-800-432-4770, two full days before digging in any easement, right of way or permitted use area.

After you call, information about where you will be digging is entered into a computer that compares that area to the location of underground utilities in the area. The area will either be declared clear, or will be appropriately marked for any underground lines. Only after you make the call will you be safe to dig.

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