Upgrade Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

Lots of homeowners want efficient central air conditioning for their homes, but the outdoor AC isn’t exactly the visual highlight people want in their backyard. Do you want a cool, comfortable interior without spoiling the backyard with a big metal box? Thoughtful landscaping should do the trick.

With the right visual barriers, you can hide your AC unit and enhance your yard’s curb appeal. Just be aware that there’s a right way and a wrong way to handle AC unit landscaping. Understanding the difference is crucial to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently.

1. Maintain Proper Plant Spacing

It’s a good start to maintain proper clearance from the unit itself. Keeping plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from the AC is especially worthwhile. Don’t forget, plants keep growing every year, so you should position shrubs to be 2 to 3 feet away when they reach maturity.

Spacing plants 2 to 3 feet away ensures your air conditioner has enough ventilation to function, a requirement for effective heat exhaust and steady cooling. Adequate spacing also avoids the risk of straining your system, which could lead to more failures and a shorter service life.

2. Create Shaded Areas

Even the scorching summer heat feels tolerable when you step into the shade. You’re not the only one who notices this difference—your air conditioner also benefits from shade.

When doable, position the unit on the north side of your home so it’s in perpetual shade. If that’s not an option, use tall trees to your advantage. Just avoid placing plants directly over the unit. Maintaining vertical clearance of 5 to 6 feet prevents restricting airflow. Then, remember to regularly trim branches to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

3. Using Windbreaks to Protect Your AC Unit

Incorporating windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy protects the air conditioner from severe weather. Evergreens are particularly effective because they stay green through the winter. A few popular species for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

If you take care to plant them a safe distance apart, your shrubs create a dense barrier that shields your AC unit from strong winds and blowing debris. Just make sure your windbreak sits far enough back to maintain the necessary 2 to 3 feet of clearance as the shrubs grow.

4. Provide Flexibility with Large Potted Plants

If you’re concerned about these bushes encroaching on the AC unit as they mature, try an alternative approach with large plants in containers. As long as they are big enough, the pots and plants should cover the AC while contributing to a cooler yard. These attractive, easily rearranged elements help you to modify the surroundings based on the time of year or as your aesthetic changes. It’s also easy to shift the pots slightly if the plants get too big or relocate them while maintenance is being done.

5. Employ a Trellis, Screen or Lattice for an Attractive Screen

Not all solutions for concealing your air conditioner need to be entirely from Mother Nature herself. If you lack space or are concerned about maintaining plants , try these other methods:

• Set up a movable screen to cover up your air conditioner while preserving necessary air circulation. Double check it has a hinged panel or detachable section for easy access.
• Install a trellis around the unit and grow vines for a natural screen that adds beauty and shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t restrict airflow.
• Put in a decorative lattice for a visually appealing cover that blends the aesthetics of a trellis with the functionality of a screen. Refrain from adding a top cover, or that will restrict circulation.

6. Try a Gravel Garden

For a more manageable landscape solution, a gravel garden is another great choice. This kind of garden involves leaving your AC unit on a concrete pad surrounded by gravel and gardens of , drought-{tolerant plants for additional color and life. The benefits are clear: less yard maintenance, fewer weeds to pull and an enhanced look that makes garden care easier all year.

7. Ensure Easy Access

No matter the landscaping choices you make, accessing your air conditioning unit must remain unobstructed. After all, regular maintenance and repairs encourage HVAC longevity and efficiency. Create the landscaping so technicians can easily access the AC, which means not planting anything on one or two sides. This thoughtful detail will help your air conditioner perform optimally for years longer.

Schedule Professional AC Services

With your landscaping plans sorted, you can focus on the air conditioner itself. If the unit is acting up or it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit, call Mark Allen. Our ACE-certified technicians provide prompt, effective and lasting results to all your HVAC issues. For Expert service that meets our high standards, please contact us today.