The chief executive officer of Starkey Construction for more than 35 years, William “Bill” Starkey has overseen the construction of numerous homes in the Montgomery, Texas, area. William Starkey led the company in energy-efficient strategies such as green landscaping.
Landscaping can play an important role in energy conservation, particularly in suburban settings. For example, to prevent south- and west-facing building walls from becoming heat islands, and to avoid non-reflective surfaces where heat builds, builders can cover walls with green screens. These metal lattices planted with vines or other climbing flowers not only improve appearance, but also significantly reduce interior heat gain. Planting mature trees that provide shade can further reduce energy costs.
In urban areas such as New York City and Chicago, green roofs hold ecological, practical, and aesthetic advantages. Green roofs are energy-friendly, as they filter the air and lower ambient temperature, requiring less energy to cool homes. This translates to a lower temperature throughout the surrounding vicinity. Green roofs can be effective in lowering citywide average temperatures as much as 3 degrees Celsius. Green roofs also increase the life span of a roof by protecting it from environmental forces such as rain and sun, in addition to cleaning the air and providing a habitat for wildlife.
Landscaping can play an important role in energy conservation, particularly in suburban settings. For example, to prevent south- and west-facing building walls from becoming heat islands, and to avoid non-reflective surfaces where heat builds, builders can cover walls with green screens. These metal lattices planted with vines or other climbing flowers not only improve appearance, but also significantly reduce interior heat gain. Planting mature trees that provide shade can further reduce energy costs.
In urban areas such as New York City and Chicago, green roofs hold ecological, practical, and aesthetic advantages. Green roofs are energy-friendly, as they filter the air and lower ambient temperature, requiring less energy to cool homes. This translates to a lower temperature throughout the surrounding vicinity. Green roofs can be effective in lowering citywide average temperatures as much as 3 degrees Celsius. Green roofs also increase the life span of a roof by protecting it from environmental forces such as rain and sun, in addition to cleaning the air and providing a habitat for wildlife.
