Energy Saving Tip: Shade Your Air Conditioner For Up To A 10% Efficiency Improvement
by John Laumer, Philadelphia 
on 07.29.08
Another Reason To Love Trees: Energy Efficiency
Planting a shade tree with just the right height and "habit" to keep the mid-day sun away from your air conditioner's out door compressor unit is an energy saver.
If you have an air conditioner, shading the unit can increase its efficiency by as much as 10%.Via::USDOE, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Lab, Consumers Guide, Landscape Shading.
Multiply The Benefits Here's how to make it a triple win. Plant a native nut tree or shrub - in all of the eastern US states and Canadian provinces, American Hazel Nut is a good candidate [species range map viewable at this link] - for food, shade, and even a little carbon sequestration.
Note: if you are interested in hazel nuts or "filberts" and happen not to live where native American varieties are found you may still be able buy the locally adapted young plants for bare-root mail delivery in the fall or spring - under $20/each.
European/American hybrids are available: some are bushes; and some varieties are more tree-like.
Position carefully with respect to the air conditioner and mid-day sun: hazel bushes are generally 10–12 feet tall and can be up to 6–8 feet across at maturity.
Every nation has native shrubs and small trees that could be suitable. What are you waiting for? Get your 10%.
Image credit::Biosurvey OU, Corylus americana, American Hazelnut, fruit.
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Good idea, but be sure the shading mechanisms do not impede airflow to the unit, or else it will run even less efficient than if it were not shaded at all.
For more info, check out this Florida Solar Energy Center study, http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/publications/html/FSEC-PF-302-96/
Use a little bit of water spray and save a whole lot more electricity. See at
http://www.mistecology.com
Personally, I've found that putting ivy or some other kind of vine in front of my south-facing windows does a remarkable job of making it much cooler in the summer. I'm sure that it could also apply to your air conditioner. (Heck, if you made some kind of arbour over your central air cooling tower, it would even make it look nice) It's also an excellent way to get the benefits you seek right now, while your fruit or nut tree(s) grows to maturity.
Better yet, shade your whole house.
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-rimrock17-2008jul17,0,3502226.story
What about artificial shade? Like a canopy or something?
Air Flow Dryer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqBtnAI1KR0
Its an invention to save energy by not using your clothes dryer so much. You stick the Air Flow Dryer into your central heating duct (100 million homes in north america have central forced air heating). You can dry all of your towels and wet clothes, use your shower towels for 7-10 days, then wash them. If everyone uses their heating more efficiently, it saves your money and energy. Its made of recyclable plastic and will pay for itself in a few months.