Overhangs on south facing windows are an easy way to reduce unwanted heat gains in the summer and allow full sun in the winter to heat the home. Overhangs are designed so that winter sunrays, which are at a lower angle, can enter the home, but summer rays, which are higher, hit the overhang or the wall beneath the window and are unable to enter the home. Unlike interior shades, which block light and still allow heat into the building, exterior-shading techniques can block heat and allow light. Another way to shade the home is through proper landscaping. Placing trees or vines in front of southern windows can create a microclimate around the home and shade unwanted sun. Mature trees “reduce the average temperature in suburban areas by about three degrees,” according to Mother Earth News. Deciduous trees (those that loose their leaves during the winter), are perfect for blocking unwanted heat gains during summer months, but should be carefully placed so that bare branches don’t block the sun’s warmth in winter. For example, maple trees are effective passive solar landscape additions because they grow relatively rapidly and do not produce as much debris as other alternatives such as pines or aspen. Well-placed trees can deflect winter winds and allow warmth into the home, while deflecting summer heat and allowing wind to cool the home. Another less common landscape element is the use of arbors or lattice and vines. Vines can be grown relatively close to windows and block a fair amount of heat in summer while allowing diffused light to enter the home. In winter, the vines can be trimmed to allow heat and light into the home. Grapevines are a productive option to solar shading, as during summer they shade the home and ripen quicker because of the homes radiant heat; in winter the vines are bare and allow maximum heat and light into the home.