Office Vegetation & Shading

Spend $2,400 now and SAVE $238 each year... ROI = 9.9%

Before air conditioning, shade trees helped keep buildings cool and they still work today. Planting trees or other vegetation on the south and west side of your building will cut cooling costs—and add to the overall visual appeal as well. Deciduous trees work well because they lose their leaves during the winter, when sunlight is desired. Typically you want evergreens on the north to block the wind in the winter. Trees also help cool your community and make your work environment even more enjoyable. Green roofs or ‘Eco-roofs’ take this issue to a higher level by using vegetative material as actual roof surface. This technique, which is already widely used in Europe, lowers heat gain through the roof, reduces the roof’s storm water runoff, and survives the effects of sun and rain longer than other roofing materials.

For an all-around environmental boost, plant a tree. When properly sited, trees and other landscaping can save up to 10% in office cooling and heating. The average US cost per employee for heating and cooling is $238 per year. So, an average 2,500 sq. ft. office with ten employees spends about $2,380 per year on heating and cooling. The ROI Calculation is based on four 8 foot trees, two southern deciduous trees for shading and two northern evergreens for wind protection. Naturally, this approach works best on a small, one or two story office.

Please note that as the trees grow and mature the savings increase accordingly and may last over 100 years depending on the species of tree that you select. At a 10% heating and cooling bill savings, the trees may reduce your bills by $238 per year for an office of ten employees.

Payback Time in Years: Added Cost: Annual SAVINGS 5 Year SAVINGS Return on Investment (ROI):
10.1 $2,400 $238 $1,190 9.9%

 

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