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New Look: Rural Montana going to all FEC members Beginning this month, the Rural Montana magazine published by the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association will be included as part of the Watts Happening newsletter mailed to all Flathead Electric members. In addition to news about Flathead Electric, members will have access to information about the electrical industry, legislative reports, and other cooperative issues. The Flathead Electric Board of Trustees voted to provide Rural Montana to all Co-op members on a six-month trial basis. We hope you’ll enjoy the articles in Rural Montana, as well as the latest news from your local Co-op in Watts Happening. The board is interested in your comments about this change in our communications program. Please take a moment to let the board know what you think about Rural Montana. |
Trees and shrubs can act as insulators and save energy when planted next to your home or in the yard. Pictured above at Hooper’s Nursery are some of the flowers, shrubs and trees that help with energy conservation. In the foreground are marguerite daisies and burgundy carousel barbary. Trees pictured are thunder child flowering crab and spring snow flowering crab. Plants are beautiful energy savers Greenery near buildings helps cut heating, cooling costs It’s spring planting time, and when you’re planning your landscaping, energy conservation is a factor you may not have considered. Planting greenery around your house not only adds color, those pretty plants can also reduce your heating and cooling costs. Planting vines, shrubs and other small plants next to your house can create a dead air space that helps insulate the building, slowing the escape of heat in the winter and the entrance of heat in the summer. They also help stop air infiltration. Dense foliage planted as close to the house as possible is the most effective. Building small earth berms and topping them with plants also helps with insulation. Place rigid board insulation against the outside of the foundation and place soil against it to produce a slope away from the house. Then plant dense-foliage plants that will not grow large enough to cause trouble by being too close to the house or damaging water pipes with roots. Consult with professionals at your favorite nursery to determine what plants will work best close to the house. Landscaping is not an alternative to weatherizing your house, but is just one more way to help lower energy costs. The amount of money you save depends on the location, type and condition of your home and weather conditions. |
