Create Great Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

Most homeowners prefer central air conditioning these days, but the outdoor AC isn’t exactly the decorative centerpiece people enjoy having in their backyard. Do you want a more comfortable home without ruining your outdoor living space with a big metal box? Effective landscaping has an immediate impact.

With the right plants or hardscaping, you can hide your AC unit and boost your yard’s aesthetic. Just be aware that there’s a right way and a wrong way to tackle AC unit landscaping. Understanding the difference is crucial to maintain optimal AC performance.

Shield Your AC with Windbreaks

Placing windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy protects the air conditioner from severe weather. Evergreens work best because they stay green all year-round. A few top shrubs for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

If you take care to plant them a safe distance apart, these plants form a dense barrier that protects the AC from high winds and flying debris. Just double check that your windbreak is planted far enough away to preserve that 2 to 3 feet of clearance as the hedgerow matures.

Create Shaded Areas

Even the high summer temperatures feel bearable when you step into the shade. You’re not the only one who appreciates the relief—your air conditioner also appreciates being out of the sun.

When doable, position the unit on the north side of your home so it’s in consistent shade. 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 clear debris to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

Maintain Proper Plant Spacing

You’ll first want to keep enough distance from the unit itself. Keeping plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from the AC is particularly important. As you know, plants grow larger each year, so you should place shrubs 2 to 3 feet away as soon as they are fully grown.

Keeping plants 2 to 3 feet away ensures your AC system has sufficient clearance for air circulation, a requirement for effective heat exhaust and optimal climate control. Sufficient spacing also prevents stressing your AC, which could lead to more failures and a shorter life span.

Use Large Potted Plants for Adaptability

If you don’t want the bushes and shrubs encroaching on the AC unit as the years go by, pivot to large container plants. As long as they’re large enough, the pots and plants will easily conceal the air conditioner while contributing to a cooler yard. These decorative, easily rearranged elements help you to modify the surroundings based on the time of year or as your preferences change. It’s equally convenient to shift the pots slightly if the plants get too big or relocate them while maintenance is being done.

Create a Gravel Garden

For a simple, easy-care landscape solution, a gravel garden might be perfect. This approach involves leaving your AC unit on a raised concrete platform surrounded by gravel interspersed with mulched beds of tough, drought-resistant plants for added color and life. The benefits are clear: less grass to cut, fewer weeds to manage and a stylish look that reduces maintenance all year.

Remember to Maintain Access

Regardless of the landscaping choices you make, access to your AC unit must remain unblocked. After all, regular maintenance and repairs are vital for HVAC longevity and efficiency. Design your landscaping so technicians can easily reach the unit, which means not planting anything on either side. Taking this care will help your air conditioner function at its peak for years longer.

Employ a Trellis, Screen or Lattice for an Attractive Screen

Not all solutions for concealing your air conditioner need to be entirely green. If you are short on space or are concerned about maintaining plants, try these other options:

• Place a freestanding screen to cover up your air conditioner while maintaining necessary ventilation. Check it has a gate or removable panel for easy access.

• Set up a trellis around the outdoor cabinet and grow climbing or vining plants for a natural screen that adds beauty and shade. Just make sure the vegetation doesn’t overcrowd airflow.

• Put in a lattice box 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 block ventilation.

Request Fast, Expert AC Services

With your landscaping plans figured out, you can get back 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 certified technicians provide prompt, effective and lasting results to all your comfort challenges. For Expert service that lives up to our name, please contact us today.