Air conditioning! Do we need it? Can we afford it? It’s starting to seem less important now the days are getting shorter, but I bet next summer will bump it back up the list of priorities. I’m here to tell you that you can plant some air conditioning right now. It will cool your house in summer, keep it warm in winter, and provide homes and food for wildlife too. And that’s before we even discuss how nice it looks.
How do plants cool houses?
Researchers from the University of Sheffield found that climbers and shrubs planted close to a house can cool a south-facing wall by up to 25°C. Some plants cool houses by providing shade from the sun. Some cool houses by transpiration, which keeps themselves and their surrounding environment cool. And some bounce back solar radiation before it can be converted to heat. But they all provide beautiful, effective cooling, without expensive installation or maintenance.
What plants are best to cool houses?
Of course, you don’t want to just stick something in the ground and hope for the best. As with every planting decision, first work out what conditions the plant needs to thrive – how much light and moisture, what kind of soil, and what kind of maintenance it needs. If you hate pruning, don’t plant a wisteria!
The team at Sheffield University found ivy is the best all rounder for cooling your house in summer and insulating it in winter. Ivy is also one of the best things you can plant for wildlife, as it provides crucial late nectar for pollinators, protein-packed berries for birds, and homes for both. Ivy is self-clinging, which makes it very easy to get going, but can cause problems when it comes to maintaining your house.
How to choose a climbing plant
Twining plants like clematis and honeysuckle will wind their way up supports that can be easily removed from the house, but supports require installation in the first place. If you want your climbers or wall shrubs to keep the house warm in winter, you need to choose evergreens. If your climbers and shrubs are going into planters rather than the ground, choose something that can cope with these difficult conditions – Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) would be an excellent choice. And make sure you’re happy with the maintenance that pots require, since their occupants rely on you for food and probably water, if they’re tucked close to a wall where rain won’t reach them.
Don’t let these considerations put you off – plants are massively cheaper and more self-sustaining than air conditioning. Plus, they will look better and work better the older they get, which is not something you can say of mechanical solutions. A little thought now could deliver the perfect green solution to help your home cope with extreme weather. If you need help picking the right plants to beat the heat next summer, get in touch now.