Create Great Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

Most homeowners prefer central air conditioning for their homes, but the air conditioner isn’t exactly the decorative centerpiece people like having in their yard. Do you need a cool, comfortable interior without ruining your outdoor living space with a big metal box? Effective landscaping makes a big difference.

With the right visual barriers, you can conceal your AC unit and enhance your yard’s appeal. But try and remember that there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach AC unit landscaping. Understanding the difference is crucial to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and efficiently.

Using Windbreaks to Protect Your AC Unit

Adding windbreaks into the AC system landscaping strategy protects the air conditioner from severe weather. Evergreens work best since they retain their foliage through the winter. A few top species for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

If planted the right distance apart, the shrubs create a dense barrier that shields your AC unit from strong winds and blowing debris. Just double check that your windbreak sits far enough back to preserve that 2 to 3 feet of clearance as the hedgerow matures.

Ensure Shade

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

If you can, 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 rake leaves to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

Space Plants Properly

You’ll first want to maintain proper clearance from the unit itself. Clearing plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from the cabinet is particularly important. Don’t forget, plants keep growing every year, so you should position shrubs 2 to 3 feet away once they reach maturity.

Keeping plants 2 to 3 feet away ensures the AC has sufficient airflow to “breathe”, a requirement for efficient heat exchange and steady cooling. Ample clearance also avoids the risk of overworking your unit, which could lead to more breakdowns and a shorter life span.

Provide Flexibility with Large Potted Plants

If you’re concerned about these bushes encroaching on the AC unit as they mature, pivot to large container plants. As long as the pot is big enough, the pots and plants can easily hide your AC unit while still ensuring a cooler yard. These stylish, easily rearranged elements help you to adapt the landscaping around your AC unit seasonally or as your aesthetic changes. It’s equally convenient to shift the pots slightly if the plants are getting big or move them aside during maintenance visits.

Try a Gravel Garden

For a low-maintenance landscape solution, a gravel garden is another great choice. This kind of garden involves keeping the AC unit on a raised concrete platform surrounded by gravel and mulched beds of resilient, drought-tolerant plants for extra color and life. The rewards are clear: less lawn to mow, fewer weeds to manage and an attractive finished look that simplifies your gardening chores all year.

Remember to Maintain Access

Regardless of the landscaping choices you make, accessing your air conditioning unit must remain unobstructed. After all, routine maintenance and repairs encourage HVAC longevity and efficiency. Create the landscaping so maintenance 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 years longer.

Use a Trellis, Screen or Lattice Cover

Not all solutions for concealing your air conditioner need to be entirely made from nature itself. If you don’t have much room to work with or worry about plants dying, try these other options:

• Set up a freestanding screen to conceal it while preserving necessary ventilation. Double check it has a door or removable panel for quick access.

• Install a trellis around the unit and grow climbing plants for a ‘green’ screen that adds beauty and shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t overcrowd airflow.

• Add a lattice box for a decorative solution that blends the aesthetics of a trellis with the functionality of a screen. Refrain from adding a top cover, or that will impede airflow.

Schedule Professional AC Services

With your landscaping plans figured out, 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. Our certified technicians provide fast, effective and long-lasting solutions to all your comfort challenges. For Expert service that lives up to our name, please contact us today.