Effect of Gainesville’s Urban Trees on Energy Use of Residential Buildings

Abstract

Based on a 2007 average retail price of electricity in Florida, trees in Gainesville are estimated to provide about $1.9 million in savings each year due to reduced air conditioning and heating use. However, trees also increase energy costs in winter by approximately $367 thousand annually because their shade cools buildings and thus raises building heating costs. This revised 3-page fact sheet was written by Francisco Escobedo, Jennifer A. Seitz, and Wayne Zipperer, and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, February 2012. FOR 211/FR273: The Effect of Gainesville's Urban Trees on Energy Use of Residential Buildings (ufl.edu)