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Urban Cooling <br /> <br />77 <br />As natural screens, trees can insulate hornes and businesses from extreme temperatures, <br />keep properties cool, and reduce air conditioning utility bills. A deciduous tree covering 20% <br />of a house results in annual cooling savings of 8 to 78% and annual heating savings of 2 to <br />8'16. By planting shade trees on sunny exposures, residents and businesses can save up to <br />50% on hot-dcJy energy bills. <br />Broad canopy trees lower temperatures by shading buildings, asphalt, and concrete. <br />They deflect rudi;:ition from the sun und reb:ise moisture into the c1ir. The urb;:in hcc1t <br />island effect is the resulting higher temperature of areas dominated by buildings, <br />roads, and sidewalks. Cities are often 5° to l0°F hotter than undeveloped areas, <br />because hot pavement and buildings have replaced cool vegetated land. Shade <br />trees can reduce asphalt temperatures by as much as 36cF, which diminishes <br />fumes and improves air quality. Shaded streets last longer and require far less <br />pavement maintenance. reducing long-term costs.