Author: Brian Ashworth February 2, 2012

A microclimate is a local atmospheric zone where the climate differs from the surrounding area.

The term may refer to areas as small as a few square feet (for example a garden bed) or as large as many square miles.

When we are talking about providing a microclimate for a house the things we are looking for are things like:

• Providing shade trees to keep the summer sun out of the house, particularly on the west side where eaves don’t work as well.
• Overhanging eaves, and verandas to keep the walls dry. Once brick walls get wet winter winds cause evaporation which chills the brickwork speeding the loss of heat through the wall.
• Providing shrubs and plants close to the walls to retain a layer of still air which stops heat loss in winter. The plants also help shade the walls in summer.
• Green plants can cool the summer heat due to evaporation from their leaves.
• Fences, bushes or trees to deflect or break up winter winds.

 

Have you provided a microclimate around your house?

For More post about the garden and finishing off a house see Settling In