| This study estimated the direct energy savings for homes as well as identified specific site differences using actual electric usage for homes. Four sites, ranging between thirty and forty houses per site, were selected at various canopy cover levels (15, 25, 39, and 54 percent). Tree characteristics were measured for each house at the parcel level. This included tree height, height to live crown, species, crown width, distance from house, tree direction, and percent shrub surrounding the house. Energy use for cooling months (June-September) was obtained for sample homes from Allegheny Power. Data indicate a declining energy use with increasing canopy cover per home. Sample comparisons within and across sites yielded no statistically significant differences between sites. Stepwise regression analysis was used to identify important variables contributing to energy use in homes, and energy use savings were predicted at increasing levels of canopy cover. Significant factors affecting the results were sample size, occupant behavior, site homogeneity, missing variables, and seasonal variation. |
