Create Great Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

Most homeowners are looking for the best central air conditioning for their homes, but the air conditioner isn’t exactly the visual highlight people want in their backyard. Do you want a more comfortable home without spoiling the backyard with a big metal eyesore? Proper landscaping should do the trick.

With the right visual barriers, you can cover your AC unit and enhance your yard’s aesthetic. Just be aware that there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach AC unit landscaping. Recognizing the special considerations is crucial to ensure efficient AC operation.

Implement Windbreaks for AC Protection

Placing windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy shields the unit from thunderstorms and other extreme weather. Evergreens are particularly effective as they keep their leaves through the winter. A few popular choices for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

If planted the right distance apart, your shrubs form a dense barrier that protects the AC from high winds and flying debris. Just double check that your windbreak sits far enough back to maintain the 2 to 3 feet of clearance as the shrubs grow.

Create Shaded Areas

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.

When doable, situate the air conditioner 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.

Maintain Proper Plant Spacing

The first rule is to ensure adequate spacing from the unit itself. Keeping plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from your unit is essential. Remember, plants keep growing every summer, so you should place shrubs 2 to 3 feet away as soon as they mature.

Keeping plants 2 to 3 feet away ensures your AC system has enough clearance for air circulation, a requirement for effective heat exhaust and efficient operation. Ample clearance also avoids the risk of stressing your AC, which could lead to more failures and a shorter service life.

Provide Flexibility with Large Potted Plants

If you’re concerned about these bushes encroaching on the AC unit as get bigger, opt for large plants in containers. As long as the pot is big enough, the pots and plants should hide your AC unit while contributing to a cooler yard. These decorative, easily rearranged elements enable you to change the landscaping according to the season or as your aesthetic changes. It’s equally convenient to shift the pots slightly if the plants get too big or relocate them while maintenance is being done.

Implement a Gravel Garden

For a more manageable landscape solution, a gravel garden is another great choice. This kind of garden involves placing your AC unit on a concrete base that’s elevated surrounded by gravel and mulched beds of tough, drought-resistant plants for extra color and life. The benefits are clear: less grass to cut, fewer weeds to manage and an enhanced look that simplifies your gardening chores all year.

Remember to Maintain Access

Regardless of the landscaping choices you make, easy access to your outdoor AC cabinet must remain unblocked. After all, preventive maintenance and repairs foster HVAC longevity and efficiency. Create the landscaping so technicians can easily get to the air conditioner, which means not planting anything on one or two sides. Keeping this in mind will help your air conditioner perform optimally for years to come.

Use a Trellis, Screen or Lattice Cover

Not all solutions for covering your AC system need to be entirely made from nature itself. If you are short on space or are concerned about maintaining plants, try these other options:

• Install a freestanding screen to cover up your air conditioner while ensuring the necessary ventilation. Double check it has a door or removable panel for easy access.

• Set up a trellis around your AC unit and grow climbing or vining plants for a ‘green’ screen that adds beauty and shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t block airflow.

• Add a lattice enclosure for a stylish 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.

Schedule Professional AC Services

With your landscaping plans in place, you can turn your attention to 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 HVAC issues. For Expert service that lives up to our name, please contact us today.