How To Landscape Around My AC Unit

Air conditioners don’t add much to your backyard.

Okay, we’ll just say it: they’re ugly!

The ACs of today may be more efficient than ever, but everyone wants to make them as invisible as possible. Particularly in the summer months when you’re spending time in your backyard with family and friends.

Landscaping around your AC unit is the best way to hide it from view. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do this. Here are some tips for you to follow when you do.

Your air conditioning unit needs a tune-up at the beginning of each season (another great reason to keep your unit easily accessible). The team at Husky knows their way around an air conditioner and can help your AC work without worry to keep you cool when the heat hits.

1. Keep Plants 2-3 Feet Away

There should always be 2-3 feet of clear space when you landscape around your AC unit.

Any closer than this, and airflow will be obstructed. This could result in:

• Less energy efficiency
• A shorter system lifespan
• More repairs

What do all of these things have in common? They’ll cost you more money – and we know you’d rather be spending that money on fun summer activities and gardening, not your air conditioner.

Your air conditioner maintenance company will thank you, too: with all that space, it’ll be easy to make AC repairs.

2. Make Sure There’s Plenty of Shade

You always feel cooler when you’re under a plant that will hide you from the sun. So does your air conditioner.

Shading the condensing unit itself is largely ineffective. And if there isn’t at least 5-6 feet of clearance above the unit, air flow will become restricted. That’s not good for you or your air conditioning unit.

What you need is cool shade for your whole yard. This will create a micro-climate that is cooler than a yard bathed in direct sunlight.

The slightly cooler micro-climate will help your air conditioner perform more efficiently.

We recommend using select plants that provide shade such as tall trees, shrubs and hedges to achieve this level of shade. Since leaves, dirt, and grasses can clog up the condenser, you’ll have to be on top of raking and trimming. But even that won’t be so bad in the shade.

Tip: This might sound counterproductive, but a tree that sheds its leaves in the fall might be the best option for your house. In the summer, it provides tons of shade. In the winter, it will allow sunlight to reach your house, which will help warm it up. That means using your furnace less during peak daytime hours. Thanks to one or two trees, you could get savings all year round!

3. Create a Windbreak with Evergreen Plants

A windbreak is a great way to protect your air conditioner from severe weather conditions – as long as they’re firmly planted.

When landscaping around your AC unit, we recommend you make your windbreak out of evergreen plants. Examples include:

• Boxwood
• Cypress
• Cedar
• Spruce

These types of hedges will never lose their leaves and, when properly trimmed, will make an excellent windbreak.

Remember: 2-3 feet away at all times – and make sure your AC is accessible from at least one side.

4. Stay Mobile with Large Potted Plants

If you want something a little less permanent than a hedge, large potted plants are an excellent alternative.

They’ll elegantly tuck the condenser out of sight, and can be moved as needed. It also allows you to plant different things each year: the choice is yours! Plants always add to your yard’s appeal as well as help reduce the heat when relaxing on your lawn.

5. Use a Trellis, Screen, or Lattice Cover

You don’t have to go all plants in your landscaping plan. You have a couple more options to consider.

Trellis: A trellis is an attractive way to cover your condenser. You can dress them up with vines, or some other type of ornamentation. Just remember: keep anything you grow on your trellis well-tended.

Screens: If you do choose to screen in your air conditioner, you need to make sure that there’s plenty of room for your condenser unit, and that it can be easily accessed through either a door or an open side.

Lattice Box: If screens are a little too utilitarian for you, a lattice box may be the right option to hide your unit. It’s like a combination of a trellis and screen – visually pleasing but with no plants to maintain. The important thing to remember is that there shouldn’t be a lid, as that would really interfere with airflow. Again, make sure all space requirements are met and there’s a way to access it.

6. Try a Gravel Garden

Want to go completely low (or no) maintenance? A gravel garden is something you’ve got to try.

Your air conditioner will be raised on a level cement platform. Everything else can be gravel. You can even incorporate some mulched plant beds to make it even more attractive.

It may take a good weekend or two to set up, but trust us: it’s worth it.

The end result is less grass to mow, fewer weeds to pull, and overall less work to do when it comes to landscaping around your AC unit.

Keep Both Your Yard and Your Air Conditioner in Top Shape

We can’t help you cut the grass or trim the trees, but we can keep your air conditioner in tip-top shape.

Before you start landscaping, have us come to perform your annual maintenance and inspection – and sign up for our premium protection plan while you’re at it! This way you can hide your unit out of sight with plants, without questioning the effectiveness of your air conditioner.

We’ll catch issues before they become problems. Best of all, it’ll help make your air conditioner as efficient as possible.

Request a quote for your AC unit mainteance- We’ll leave the gardening to you!

Don’t wait until the Toronto summer hits its stride: make your appointment today.