The Proper Landscaping Techniques Around Your Outdoor AC Units
It may not seem like an issue while installing an HVAC unit in your garden, but it may cause some problems in a few months. Some of the debris from the plants, like dead leaves, dirt, and even live twigs, may get stuck within the system and force you to do significant repairs you had not anticipated. And that is why it is imperative to be deliberate when installing your outdoor units next to plants or a garden.
Below is how you do it:
Leave enough space between your outdoor HVAC unit and your plants
Sure, the grass or garden with your succulents and the HVAC might look fantastic side by side or integrated, but that is not the wisest decision. You should leave some bare space, mainly if the plants are trailing or climbing plants. You do not want your crops to grow all over the HVAC system blocking the vents, thus leaves some clearance space. Suppose they overgrow and reach the HVAC unit, trim them to maintain that clearance space.
Utilize the shade
Placing the HVAC unit in your garden is not such a bad idea if you have long trees that do not interfere with it. As a matter of fact, the shade of these trees is pretty helpful to help the HVAC unit stay cool. When it is cool, it is more efficient.
Plant the right plants around your unit
As aforementioned, some plants are pretty invasive, such as climbing and trailing plants. In such cases, they will keep invading the unit as long as they are in the garden. So the long-term solution is to select genres of planets that are non-invasive and solitary crops that do not have an aggressive growing nature.
Also, another tip when selecting plants is to go with the kinds that do not shed leaves during the colder season. Go with large succulents that are solitary plants or trees like bamboos that do not shed a lot during the colder season.
Build a protective unit for your HVAC unit
If you had already planted your garden of trailing plants and installed the unit, you do not have to uproot them later but go with the option of building a protective shade or structure around your HVAC unit. This will keep the invasive plants tamed and help you keep the HVAC unit undisturbed. Just ensure that the shade allows free air circulation, so the best material to use is wire mesh.
It is also advisable that you build a raised platform for the unit to avoid it getting into the path of flowing water.
Take away
Plants and your HVAC units can live in harmony, and both thrive. But it would be best if you did things the right way by landscaping around outdoor units because one can cause harm to the other without control. If you feel the landscaping tasks are a bit overwhelming to you, you can always hire a specialist landscaper to help you trim the plants and control themes so that they do not ruin your HVAC system.
Rice Heating and Air are a full-service Local AC Contractor headquartered in Alma, AR. The company specializes in air conditioning repair, AC installations, indoor air quality systems, heating repair, and furnace installations. Rice Heating and Air are focused on helping homeowners and businesses staying comfortable year-round. We are your comfort experts.
Call us today for any of your heating and cooling needs.
