Your air conditioner plays a crucial role in keeping your home comfortable, but it’s no looker. In a carefully landscaped yard, the typical A/C system tends to stand out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, a little xeriscaping can go a long way towards hiding your A/C while helping it run more efficiently.

Using Plants to Your Advantage

You can use xeriscaping to keep your A/C system out of sight without putting it out of mind. For instance, bushes and hedges can be used to block the A/C from being seen directly. Climbing vines attached to trellises also make for an effective screen for your A/C unit.

Just remember that your A/C unit also needs room for adequate airflow. Not only should there be at least 2 to 3 feet of open space between your plants and the A/C unit, but there should also be at least 5 feet of air clearance between the A/C unit and any trees found above.

Made in the Shade

Proper xeriscaping can help take the heat off of your A/C by shielding it from direct sunlight. Keeping your unit out of the sun’s way through the strategic use of shade trees can help it operate more efficiently, which not only helps keep temperatures down in your home, but it also lowers your A/C system’s energy consumption.

Ensuring Rock-Solid Performance

When dirt, grass clippings and debris accumulates on the A/C condenser coil, the resulting blockage can cause your A/C system’s performance to dwindle and its energy consumption to skyrocket. Having your A/C unit’s pad surrounded by crushed rock can keep dirt, mud and other debris at bay. The surrounding rock also helps direct rainwater away from the unit while keeping grass growth around the unit to a minimum.

Learn more about how xeriscaping can benefit your A/C system by contacting Powers Heating & Air, proudly serving Peachtree City homeowners with top-notch HVAC service.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about xeriscaping and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Scott E. Feuer/Shutterstock”