Trees and bushes can damage your HVAC system without proper care. Discover the best ways to landscape around your outdoor system.

 

 

Leave the proper clearance

When planning the landscaping around your air conditioning unit, you want to leave adequate space between the unit and your plants to avoid restricting airflow around the coils. Make sure plants are at least 2-3 feet from the unit on all sides, and plan the landscaping so that the air conditioner is easily accessible for maintenance and repairs. If you have trees or other plants growing above the unit, trim regularly to keep a 5-foot clearance between them and the air conditioner.

Make the most of the shade

In addition to making the area look more natural, landscaping around your air conditioner can actually help improve its efficiency. Shade cast on the air conditioner keeps the temperature down so the unit doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

Choose the right plants

There are a lot of plant options to choose from when planning landscaping around your air conditioner. If possible, look for plants that don’t lose their leaves during the colder months. This will reduce the amount of sweeping and raking you do to keep the area clear of debris. Hedges are a common choice, and can be trimmed to your desired shape and height. Building a lattice around the A/C unit and landscaping with climbing plants is also a relatively simple and attractive option. Whatever landscaping options you choose, make sure to trim plants, hedges and trees near the air conditioner regularly to maximize airflow and efficiency.