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Landscaping Tips for the Area Around Your Outdoor A/C Unit

If you’re like many homeowners, you’d prefer to conceal your home’s unattractive outdoor air conditioner component from view. Landscaping around the outdoor A/C unit with well-placed trees, shrubs or a hedge is a relatively easy way to conceal it. You can also improve A/C efficiency and reduce yearly cooling costs by following these landscaping tips.

Factor in Enough Clearance

family-footerMake sure you consider the expected size of your chosen plants at maturity to avoid future airflow restrictions around the condenser. You’ll need 2 to 3 feet on each side of the unit, 5 feet and easy access for necessary maintenance.

Create Some Shade

If the A/C sits in a sunny location, adding plants with enough height to provide a shade canopy can curb its energy usage by as much as 10 percent. Keeping the unit out of direct sunlight also reduces its workload, which can help prolong the air conditioner’s life span.

Pick the Most Beneficial Plants

Evergreen shrubs are a low-maintenance choice since they don’t drop leaves in the fall. Keep in mind the most evergreens are slow-growing, so they won’t provide a quick solution. If you’re looking to create shade as soon as possible, consider adding a fast-growing deciduous tree or bush. You’ll have to sweep and rake up leaves every autumn, but installing an air conditioner shield can keep the unit debris-free.

Landscape Down to the Ground

If you leave raw earth around the outdoor component of the air conditioner, dust and mud can quickly collect on the condenser’s fan blades and coil. Installing decorative stones or bark mulch on the ground surrounding the unit will keep it cleaner and let the A/C operate at optimal efficiency. Be sure to hose off your chosen material well to remove any fine dust before putting it in place.

Learn about Air Experts’ solutions for improving cooling efficiency, such as landscaping around the outdoor A/C unit, or give us a call at 919-480-2727.

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