Trying to convince someone to save energy requires a bit of due diligence — we’ll show you how to win that argument every time.

If you’re trying to convince your partner to save energy, you may be facing an uphill battle.

That’s because debating it is about as much fun as watching your electric meter spin. In addition, your other half probably thinks adding energy-saving features costs too much and isn’t worth the effort.

So how do you make a dent in that ironclad reluctance?

Step #1: Do Your Homework

“The best way to minimize disagreements is with research and proof,” says Sandy Arons. She should know. As a financial counselor, it’s her job to assess the nuances of everyday costs, including home maintenance and repair.

Knowing her spouse wasn’t keen on spending for energy upgrades on their relatively new 17-year-old house, Arons gathered data to prove they could save money.

The heart and soul of her data crunch was an energy audit provided free by her local utility company. An audit shows:

• Where you’re wasting energy

• How you can remedy problems

• Your probable cost savings if you upgrade

Many utility companies offer a free home energy profile as an online service at their website or via an in-person visit from an energy expert.

You can also use calculators at government-supported websites, such as Home Energy Saver and Energy Star.

Better yet, hire an independent pro to do an energy evaluation for about $150. Just don’t forget to factor that money into the costs of your energy upgrades.

Related:

• Professional Energy Audits: Costs and Benefits

• DIY Home Energy Audit in 6 Easy Steps

Step #2: Gathering Cost Info

Gather estimated costs for the upgrades suggested by your audit. You can get estimates at an online home improvement cost site, such as CostHelper and DIYorNot, or contact local contractors to get bids for the work.

Step #3: Figuring Payback

Compare those proposed annual energy savings against the cost of the upgrades. Your goal is to figure out payback — how long it’ll take for the energy savings to pay off the cost of the improvements.

For the Arons house, an energy audit recommended increasing the depth of attic insulation, insulating attic knee walls, and adding roof vents to get rid of hot, trapped air.

Those improvements totaled about $1,000. With her audit showing a potential annual energy saving of $300, Arons figured a payback of about three years.

She put everything in a spreadsheet and showed her husband.

“Once I did that, it was easy for my husband to agree to the upgrades,” says Arons. “And once we’re through the payback period, all the savings are gravy.”

Related: Best ways to take back your energy bills

Want an Even Stronger Argument?

Don’t forget to research federal, state, local, and utility rebates for energy upgrades and apply those to your cost savings.

For example, if you upgrade your insulation in 2013, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $500.

With a Little Help from Some Friends

“When you’re trying to convince people to try something new to save money, it’s important to go straight to the numbers,” says Andrew Schrage, co-owner of Money Crashers Personal Finance.

When Schrage tried to get his neighbors to join the energy-savings movement, he called upon a friend who had recently gotten an energy audit and installed a programmable thermostat. The friend had tracked his utility bills for several months and discovered he was getting about a 25% savings.

Armed with his friend’s paperwork and a copy of the energy audit, Schrage was able to convince his neighbors to get their own audits and see what savings they could muster.

“They didn’t even know an energy audit was available,” notes Schrage. Now, he says, those neighbors are enjoying annual energy savings of 20%.

Plant trees at the right time and they’re more likely to thrive. Here’s when to plant so you get the most value from your landscaping investment.

Trees are big-ticket landscape items that not only cost a lot, but add a lot of value to your home, too — by some estimates a mature tree adds nearly $10,000 in value to your property.

So it’s important to plant trees when they’re most likely to survive.

When’s the Best Time to Plant Trees?

Here’s the short answer: Plant trees when they have enough time to establish roots before they’re exposed to stressors like high heat, low temperatures, or not enough water.

Nicholas Staddon of Monrovia, a plant seller, says late summer/early fall is the best time to plant in most parts of the U.S. — zones 4 to 8.

“During the winter months in many parts of the U.S., roots are still active,” Staddon says. “The tree starts to acclimatize itself to your soil. So in the spring, it bursts forth with leaves and flowers.”

Of course, trees have different needs, and areas have different climates. So, we’re breaking down best planting times according to climates and types of trees.

When to Plant Trees in Cold Climates

The window of opportunity to plant trees in colder climates — zones 1 to 3 — is relatively short. You can’t dig until the ground has warmed, and you’ve got only a few months to plant before the ground freezes again.

Early spring, just as the ground thaws, is the best time plant. Fall can be too late, because trees won’t be able to survive the freezing temperatures that can damage roots and stop moisture from reaching the tree.

When to Plant Trees in Warm Climates

Fall’s the best time to plant in the deep South — zones 9 and 10.

• After the first frosts, trees become dormant and require less food through young roots.

• Tree carbohydrates can go directly toward root growth, rather than canopy growth.

• Mild winters give trees enough growing time to establish root systems that will survive in hot summers.

Make sure you keep young trees well-watered through dry winters.

Types of Trees and When to Plant Them

Bare root trees: These trees are dug from the ground when they are dormant, stored in some moist medium, then shipped bare of soil. Because these roots are naked, plant these trees in spring when they won’t suffer winter injuries. But more important, plant these trees when you get them; the trick is to order correctly so they’ll arrive when they have the best chance to survive.

Container trees: These trees have been grown in pots or burlap wrapping, and have roots covered in soil. They’re not as delicate as bare root trees, so timing is not quite as important. Plant whenever your tree will have a couple of months to establish roots before extreme temperatures — hot or cold — will stress it.

Deciduous trees: Deciduous trees make the decision easy, because they tell you when they’re going dormant by dropping their leaves. Plant in fall, and keep them well-watered even through winter.

Evergreens: Plant these early fall or late spring — just about any time that doesn’t see extreme heat.

Conifers: These cone-bearing trees are particularly susceptible to cold weather because their needles lose moisture all winter even though the tree is sleeping. If you live in a climate where frozen soil prevents water from getting to conifer roots, plant in spring.

Transplants: Transplant trees in spring after the ground has warmed and before the tree sets buds, or in fall after leaves have fallen and before the ground freezes. Younger trees will endure transplanting better than mature trees, which don’t like the shock.

Related: Best Trees To Grow Curb Appeal