If you are receiving unsolicited phone calls from an entity pretending to be ACCC (a trusted non-profit credit counseling agency), please be assured that ACCC’s policy is NEVER to contact you unless you’ve explicitly requested us to call you. Also be cautious of emails from an unusual or unfamiliar domain. ACCC’s domain extension is @consumercredit.com, and any emails using a different extension should be treated with suspicion.

×

ACCC’s Client Login allows current clients to access their program information, including the due date, program benefits, and other documents.

Select a Client Login below based on the service that you are currently enrolled in:

Debt Management Program

Client Login

Bankruptcy

Pre-Bankruptcy Client

Post-Bankruptcy Client

Not yet a client, but looking to get started?

ACCC offers debt relief options to individuals and families that are suffering from stress related to credit card debt by providing effective credit counseling, helping to consolidate debt, and advising on debt management.

Get Started

Wait!

You are now leaving the Consumer Credit website and are going to a website that is not operated by ACCC. We are not responsible for the content or availability of linked sites.

Are you sure you want to leave?

No, return me to the previous page.

Yes

Arbor Day: Using Trees to Lower Your Energy Bills

Today is Arbor Day, a day that celebrates the trees and planting of trees. In celebration, many groups and individuals come together to plant and care for their trees. Trees have been a long-important natural resource for Americans. They’re a key part of our parks, forests, and agriculture. Did you know that the planting of trees can also save landscapes and economies? Quite an unexpected credit counseling fact. Besides providing lumber, which requires cutting down trees, the planting of trees helped reduce damage done during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

American Consumer Credit Counseling wishes you a happy Arbor Day!

American Consumer Credit Counseling wishes you a happy Arbor Day!

As part of the 1934 Great Plains Shelterbelt, the U.S. government came together to plant 220 million trees on the perimeter of farms, stretching 18,600 miles. The trees helped reduce wind velocity and lessen the evaporation of moisture from the soil. Carried out by FDR’s Works Progress Administration, the initiative saved the Great Plains farming community and provided jobs to those suffering in the Depression.

But for the modern American, the benefits of trees may not be so tangible, particularly to those trying to save money. However, planting trees in your yard is a great way to conserve energy and create curb appeal for the resale of your home. Shade trees, like maples and oaks, can be planted on the south and southwestern sides of your home to create shade and reducing air temperatures. Through evapotranspiration, a tree releases water vapor that lowers the ambient temperature in the area.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, this can cut the average household’s energy consumption by 25 percent! This can help you stay on track with your household budget. Besides saving you a bundle of money, they improve the air quality, reduce storm water runoff, and beautify your neighborhood. With a smaller carbon footprint and a reduced urban heat island effect, everyone benefits from the proper planting of trees.

The key is where you plant the trees, and what kind. Consider the size of your yard when choosing a location and size of tree. You will also want to identify power lines, sidewalks, and the overall layout of your yard. To get the maximum cooling benefit, plant the tree centrally and to the south of the house, or in the southwest corner. A deciduous tree placed here will shade out the hot afternoon sun in the summertime, while allowing light through in the winter.

For more recommendations and guidance, visit Energy-Saving Trees, an online mapping tool from the Arbor Day Foundation to help you maximize your energy-saving benefits when planting trees. Many utility companies sponsor the planting of trees, so use the address tool to see if you can receive the trees for free.

If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today. 

creditU

Your Ultimate Money Management App

Meet CreditU, the ultimate one-stop debt and financial management app! See your full financial overview, including debts, income, expenses, and savings.

CreditU Apple App Store
Dev Tool:

Request: blog/arbor-day-using-trees-to-lower-your-energy-bills
Matched Rewrite Rule: blog/([^/]+)/?$
Matched Rewrite Query: post_type=post&name=arbor-day-using-trees-to-lower-your-energy-bills
Loaded Template: single.php