The Mistake You Should Avoid Making When Landscaping Around Your HVAC

A well-maintained and beautifully landscaped outdoor space isn't just about curb appeal. Some of those gorgeous landscaping ideas also play a role in the performance of your HVAC system. Many people like to plant ornamental grasses, shrubs, and even flower beds around their exterior AC units. This helps to hide the eyesore of the bulky unit and even shield it from the hot sun and harsh wind storms. The right landscaping can even maintain your home's energy efficiency since it can provide shade, preventing the unit from having to work so hard on hot, sunny days. While most people have the best intentions when landscaping around HVAC units, some unknowingly make mistakes that end up doing more harm than good.

The biggest mistake? Planting too close to the sides of the unit. A cramped unit could mean limited airflow to your HVAC system, and it could also restrict accessibility to the unit. This is a common mistake since people generally want to have good visual coverage, but crowding the unit makes it more difficult for the system to cool your home effectively. It's also a major headache when a service technician needs to access the unit to perform maintenance on it. It's a simple mistake, but it has big consequences. So, how close is too close when it comes to landscaping around your HVAC?

A good rule of thumb for planting around your outdoor AC unit is to maintain a clearance of two or three feet around the sides as well as five feet of space above it. The clearance on the sides allows easy access for servicing and ensures that air can flow freely around the coils. The space above the unit is just as important for performance since hot air is often released upward from the unit, and if there are obstructions, the system may start recycling heated air and not cool your home as efficiently. Restricted airflow can mean more work for your HVAC, which leads to more repairs, a shorter unit lifespan, and increased energy bills.

So, what should you plant around your HVAC unit? There are a few things to consider before making any choice. For example, keep the direction your unit faces in mind. If it faces south or west, shade-giving plant varieties can help shield your unit from the sun and keep the heat load low. However, avoid plants that will have overhanging branches or lose their leaves in the fall. These choices can result in excess debris and blocked airflow. Instead, opt for slow-growing evergreen plant varieties that grow upward instead of outward, leading to optimal shade while maintaining efficiency. Also, ensure none of your choices are among the plants that shouldn't be grown next to your house, as that could lead to even bigger problems. At the end of the day, a smart landscaping plan and thoughtful planting choices will help to blend your unit into its surroundings, improve the unit's performance, and prolong the life of your HVAC system.