There are many reasons why homeowners decide to add landscaping around their HVAC systems outdoor unit, the most common being, to boost your home’s curb appeal or to simply spruce up your backyard. However, did you know that if done right adding landscaping around you’re A/C or Heat Pump unit can improve your system efficiency and longevity? Read on to learn more from the experts at Andy Lewis Heating & Air Conditioning, who have been serving the Charlotte, NC area for over 25 years.
Reasons why you should add landscaping around your HVAC unit
During the hot spring and summer days we are very thankful that our homes have air conditioning, but, the fact of the matter is that your unit can be an eyesore. For this reason, many homeowners want to hide their unit, and, if done properly not only will your system’s outdoor unit be camouflaged into its surroundings, but it will also be better protected and able to cool your home more efficiently.
In addition to making the area blend in and look more natural, adding the correct type of landscaping around your outdoor air conditioning system can provide shade to the area helping your unit stay cooler, which in turn means your unit won’t have to work as hard to cool the inside of your home.
Landscaping can also provide much-needed protection to your air conditioner. Your outdoor unit was built to be outside and endure the elements to a degree. Lawn mowers, heavy winds and storms can blow tiny rocks, bark, dirt, and other materials into your system potentially harming your heating and air conditioning system. Small trees, plants, or fencing, when used properly, can shield your unit helping to reduce the possibilities of damage, and increase its longevity.
Leave adequate space for proper airflow
There are many options when it comes to landscaping and no matter what direction you decide to go in one of the most important things to remember is to leave space for sufficient air flow, as well as room for your service technician to easily perform maintenance and work on your system. We recommend leaving 2-3 feet from your unit on all sides clear. This barrier will allow air to freely flow around and through your unit to help prevent overheating issues, while at the same time making it easily accessible for your Andyman Preventative Maintenance and repairs.
Selecting the right plants
When choosing what to plant around your HVAC system consider plants that don’t lose their foliage as these plant types will help reduce the amount of debris that can form around your A/C or Heat Pump. Another thing to consider when picking your plant type is size, you will want to ensure that your plants are not going to get too big as this could lead to restricting the airflow to your unit which could lead to overheating problems. Taking both of these suggestions into account it is easy to see why hedges are a very common choice when it comes to heating and air landscaping as there are many varieties that keep their leaves all year long and are easy to shape and trim.
Tips for using fencing around your HVAC outdoor unit
Fencing is another good landscaping option to have around your outdoor system as fencing can add protection by blocking rocks, bark, dirt, and other debris that may be blown towards your unit during mowing, edging, windy days, and storms. If you move forward with installing a fence around your A/C we recommend using either a lattice or a screen type of fencing to help ensure your system can easily get the airflow it needs. Another tip is to include a gate or removable area to keep your system reachable for your regular system maintenance as well as HVAC repairs when needed.
Ask the experts at Andy Lewis Heating & Air
If you have questions regarding your heating and air conditioning system or would like more tips on how to protect and improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, contact Andy Lewis Heating & Air today at 704-391-9191.