Upgrade Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

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

With the right plants or hardscaping, you can conceal your AC unit and enhance your yard’s aesthetic. But try and remember that there’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle AC unit landscaping. Knowing the distinction is crucial to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently.

Shield Your AC with Windbreaks

Incorporating windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy protects the air conditioner from severe weather. Evergreens are ideal since they keep their leaves through the winter. A few popular choices for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

When planted the proper distance apart, your shrubs combine into 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 2 to 3 feet of clearance as the hedgerow matures.

Create Shaded Areas

Even the hottest summer weather feels manageable when you step into the shade. You’re not the only one who feels the change—your air conditioner also appreciates being out of the sun.

If you can, situate the air conditioner on the north side of your home so it’s in constant shadow. If that’s not an option, use privacy hedges 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 rake leaves to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

Arrange Plants Correctly

The first rule is to maintain proper clearance from the unit itself. Clearing plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from the cabinet is especially worthwhile. Don’t forget, plants keep growing each year, so you should place shrubs 2 to 3 feet away as soon as they mature.

This spacing ensures your AC system has enough airflow to “breathe”, a requirement for proper exhaust of heat and steady cooling. Adequate spacing also limits straining your system, which could lead to more breakdowns and a shorter life span.

Use Large Potted Plants for Adaptability

If you’re worried about shrubs getting too close to the AC as they mature, opt for large container plants. As long as they are big enough, the pots and plants will easily hide your AC unit while contributing to a cooler yard. These stylish, modular elements enable you to adapt the landscaping around your AC unit seasonally or as you try new looks. It’s also easy to adjust the placement if the plants get too big or keep them out of the way during servicing.

Create a Gravel Garden

For a more manageable landscape solution, a gravel garden could be ideal. This kind of garden involves leaving your AC unit on a concrete pad surrounded by gravel and gardens of resilient, drought-tolerant plants for even more color and life. The rewards are clear: less grass to cut, fewer weeds and plants to control and an attractive finished look that simplifies your gardening chores all year.

Keep Access Unobstructed

No matter the landscaping choices you make, easy access to your air conditioning unit must remain unobstructed. After all, routine maintenance and repairs are vital for HVAC longevity and efficiency. Create the landscaping so technicians can easily reach the unit, which means not planting anything on one or two sides. Taking this care will help your air conditioner function at its peak for as long as possible.

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 don’t have much room to work with or don’t want to deal with plant upkeep, try these other methods:

• Install a portable screen to cover up your air conditioner while maintaining necessary air circulation. Make sure it has a door or detachable section for easy access.

• Install a trellis around your AC unit and grow climbing or vining plants for a natural screen that offers visual appeal and natural shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t restrict airflow.

• Install a decorative lattice for a stylish cover that can blend the aesthetics of a trellis with the functionality of a screen. Refrain from adding a top cover, or that will block ventilation.

Request Fast, Expert AC Services

With your landscaping plans in place, you can prioritize the air conditioner itself. If the unit is not performing well or it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Our ACE-certified technicians provide quick, efficient and durable fixes to all your climate control problems. For Expert service that matches our reputation, please contact us today.