Everyone knows that big, metal, eyesore of a box that sits outside of your home and is probably hidden behind or between some bushes. It's also known as your AC condenser. Do you ever have trouble personalizing the space that your outdoor unit takes up? Landscaping around your condenser is possible as long as it is taken care of. Below, we will discuss some tips about how you can strategically plan your landscaping to keep your unit concealed and still run efficiently.
Things To Keep In Mind While Landscaping Around Your Outdoor Unit
Clearance
Allow at least two to three feet of space between your unit and any plants or any other structures that may be around your system. Your compressor needs at least five feet of clearance above it as well. This space will allow your system to get the adequate airflow that it needs to work correctly. Just remember, your system needs to breathe!
Shade
Keeping the system out of the sun will help your AC unit from heating up, which will help keep your system running more efficiently.
Choose the right plants
If you choose to place plants around your unit, keep in mind how tall and wide they will get when they mature. You'll have to remember to trim the plants year-round, too. Hedges, shrubs, and perennial plants are examples of some plants that have minimal maintenance but still look aesthetically pleasing around your home.
Keep it clean
Keep the coil condenser clean! You can have a service technician from ECI Comfort Solutions come out to service your system or you can do it yourself, but keeping your condenser clean will help your system run smoothly.
Other considerations
If you want to hide your air conditioning unit, consider placing a solid fence or a low wall at the same distance as plants. This will require less maintenance and you won't have to worry about having to trim your plants year-round.
The photo to the left shows the debris and branches our homeowner had around her outdoor unit. This unit became dirty and was not running very efficiently.
Also, keep in mind that service technicians need to be able to gain access to your outdoor unit without the problem of trying to crawl under overgrown plants. This will make the job much easier for the technician.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with one of our technicians at ECI Comfort, please give us a call! We would love to help keep you cool and comfortable all summer long, while also helping you lower those cooling bills!
If you live in the Delaware Valley/Greater Philadelphia area and would like to find comfort within your home, visit our website or give us a call at 215 - 245 - 3200 to learn more.
