Upgrade Landscaping Around Your AC System with These Seven Tips

Lots of homeowners prefer central air conditioning these days, but the air conditioner isn’t exactly the aesthetic feature people enjoy having in their backyard. Are you looking for a cool, comfortable interior without ruining the yard’s look with a big metal box? Effective landscaping makes a big difference.

With the right screening options, 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. Understanding the difference is crucial to maintain optimal AC performance.

Implement Windbreaks for AC Protection

Placing windbreaks into your AC unit landscaping strategy protects the AC against harsh weather and storms. Evergreens are ideal because they keep their leaves even in winter. A few top choices for evergreen windbreaks include boxwood, junipers and Arborvitae.

When planted the proper distance apart, your shrubs form 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 shrubs grow.

Ensure Shade

Even the high summer temperatures feel manageable 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 impeding ventilation. Then, remember to regularly rake leaves to keep debris from clogging the condenser.

Maintain Proper Plant Spacing

It’s a good start to maintain proper clearance from the unit itself. Clearing plants at least 2 to 3 feet away from your unit is essential. Don’t forget, plants continue to grow every year, so you should arrange shrubs to be 2 to 3 feet away when they reach maturity.

This spacing ensures your air conditioner has sufficient airflow to “breathe”, a requirement for efficient heat exchange and steady cooling. Ample clearance also limits 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 overgrowing around the air conditioner as the years go by, pivot to large container plants. As long as the pot is big enough, the pots and plants can easily conceal the air conditioner while still ensuring a cooler yard. These stylish, movable elements allow you to change the landscaping according to the season or as you try new looks. It’s also easy to move the pots a bit if the plants get too big or relocate them while maintenance is being done.

Implement a Gravel Garden

For a low-maintenance landscape solution, a gravel garden could be ideal. A gravel garden involves leaving your AC unit on a raised concrete platform surrounded by gravel interspersed with plant beds of resilient, drought-tolerant plants for extra color and life. The benefits are clear: less grass to cut, fewer weeds to pull and a stylish look that makes garden care easier all year.

Keep Access Unobstructed

No matter the landscaping choices you make, accessing your air conditioning unit must remain unobstructed. After all, preventive maintenance and repairs encourage HVAC longevity and efficiency. Create the landscaping so maintenance technicians can easily access the AC, which means not planting anything on one or two sides. This thoughtful detail will help your air conditioner function at its peak for as long as possible.

Use a Trellis, Screen or Lattice Cover

Not all solutions for hiding your AC unit need to be entirely made from nature itself. If you don’t have much room to work with or don’t want to deal with plant upkeep, try these other methods:

• Set up a freestanding screen to cover up your air conditioner while maintaining necessary airflow. Check it has a door or easily removed part for convenient access.

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

• Put in a lattice box for a stylish cover 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 Rob's Albertan Service Experts. Our certified technicians provide prompt, effective and lasting results to all your climate control problems. For Expert service that matches our reputation, please contact us today.