| Abstract: | Conventional wisdom indicates that shade trees reduce air-conditioning energy demands in U.S. southern-tier states. Existing studies of shade effects on dwellings generally do not consider that contemporary home structures are inhabited and well insulated. Through a statistical analysis of weather, vegetative, and energy consumption data for 38 inhabited, modern homes in the eastern suburbs of Atlanta, we establish that existing tree plantings play only a small role in energy conservation for individual homes vis-à-vis insulation and heat gain from external walls and windows. |
