The outside component of your home’s split-system central air conditioner is an essential element of the HVAC system. However, it isn’t exactly the most attractive looking thing in your backyard, and if you’ve spent a great deal of time, money and effort to make your outdoor area look good, the compressor/condenser might seem like a real eyesore. Luckily, there are some effective ways that you can hide the A/C from view, using different landscaping ideas.
- Plant ornamental grasses around the outside unit. Ornamental grasses usually only get about three to four feet tall, which means they won’t get out control, but will be tall enough to keep your air conditioner out of view. Try planting ornamental grasses on three sides of your A/C so there’s still room to access it for maintenance and regular cleaning.
- Consider erecting a fence around the condenser/compressor. A fence made of natural wood can look great on its own, but you can also add climbing vines or ivy to the fence to make it look a bit more natural. A lattice frame can accomplish the same goal of covering up your air conditioner in a way that will actually beautify your space. If you do choose to build a fence or lattice frame, make sure you don’t allow the climbing vines or ivy to take over the back of the material and damage your air conditioner.
- Plant flowers around your air conditioner. Shrubs that are easy to take care of can also obscure your A/C unit from view.
- With any of these strategies, make sure you leave at least three feet of empty space around the outdoor part of your A/C unit. If you put anything closer than that, you could obstruct airflow and force your A/C to work harder. Small items can also get stuck inside the A/C and cause it to overheat or malfunction.
Please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning for more information on how to hide the A/C from view in your back- or side yard. We have been servicing the Fresno area for almost 40 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about landscaping and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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