Enhance Landscaping Around the AC with These Seven Tips

Lots of homeowners prefer central air conditioning these days, but the AC’s outdoor cabinet isn’t exactly the aesthetic feature people want in their yard. Are you looking for a more comfortable home without spoiling the backyard with a big metal box? Effective landscaping should do the trick.

With the right visual barriers, you can cover your AC unit and boost your yard’s curb appeal. Just be aware that there’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle AC unit landscaping. Knowing the distinction is crucial to ensure efficient AC operation.

Using Windbreaks to Protect Your AC Unit

Placing windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy shields the unit from thunderstorms and other extreme weather. Evergreens work best because they keep their leaves even in winter. A few top species for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

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

Create Shaded Areas

Even the scorching summer heat feels tolerable when you step into the shade. You’re not the only one who feels the change—your air conditioner also performs better in the shade.

Whenever possible, 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 impeding ventilation. Then, remember to regularly clear debris to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

Maintain Proper Plant Spacing

The first rule is to maintain proper clearance from the unit itself. Moving the plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from the cabinet is particularly important. Remember, plants continue to grow every year, so you should position shrubs to be 2 to 3 feet away when they are fully grown.

Spacing plants 2 to 3 feet away ensures your air conditioner has adequate ventilation to function, a requirement for proper exhaust of heat and efficient operation. Adequate spacing also prevents overworking your unit, which could lead to more failures and a shorter service life.

Enhance Flexibility with Movable Potted Plants

If you don’t want the bushes and shrubs overgrowing around the air conditioner as get bigger, pivot to large plants in containers. As long as they are big enough, the pots and plants can easily hide your AC unit while still ensuring a cooler yard. These attractive, movable elements allow 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 are getting especially full or move them aside during maintenance visits.

Try a Gravel Garden

For a simple, easy-care 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 interspersed with gardens of hardy, drought-resistant plants for additional color and life. The benefits for your yard are clear: less lawn to mow, fewer weeds to manage and an enhanced look that makes garden care easier all year.

Ensure Easy Access

Regardless of the landscaping choices you make, easy access to your AC unit must remain unobstructed. After all, routine maintenance and repairs encourage HVAC longevity and efficiency. Build up your home’s landscaping so technicians can easily access the AC, which means not planting anything on a couple of sides. This thoughtful detail will help your air conditioner perform optimally for years longer.

Employ a Trellis, Screen or Lattice for an Attractive Screen

Not all solutions for hiding your AC unit need to be entirely green. If you don’t have much room to work with or are concerned about maintaining plants, try these alternatives:

• Set up a portable screen to conceal it while ensuring the necessary air circulation. Make sure it has a hinged panel or removable panel for easy access.

• Install a trellis around the unit and grow vines for a natural screen that offers visual appeal and natural shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t restrict airflow.

• Install a lattice box for a decorative solution that combines the aesthetics of a trellis with the functionality of a screen. Refrain from adding a top cover, or that will restrict circulation.

Request Fast, Expert AC Services

With your landscaping plans sorted, you can prioritize the air conditioner itself. If the unit is malfunctioning or it’s been a while since your last maintenance visit, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. Our ACE-certified technicians provide prompt, effective and lasting results to all your climate control problems. For Expert service that meets our high standards, please contact us today.