Several design elements will allow you to let Mother Nature help you make your home more energy efficient, achieving long-term savings on utility bills. Passive solar designs are design elements that use nature to achieve greater energy efficiency. If you live in a colder climate, incorporate design elements that use the heat of the sun to warm your home and reduce the work required of your heating system. Install skylights, larger east-facing and west-facing windows, or solar windows to bring sunlight into the house to both brighten your home and provide some natural heating function. Alternatively, if you live in a warm climate, position trees (particularly deciduous trees) in your yard where they will block direct sunlight and shade your home. Trees also make excellent wind breaks in any climate.
If you found this tip helpful, you might also want to read this:
 Save energy (and your furnishings) by installing solar screens
Buy energy efficient windows, doors and skylights
Build your own ramps, benches and decks
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