The idea that HVAC efficiency through landscaping can significantly affect your heating and cooling system’s performance may seem crazy, but it’s true! There are seven ways that landscaping impacts your HVAC system, including:

Provide Shade for Outdoor Units

Air conditioning systems work by pulling outside air into the unit. When you place shrubs, small trees, or a lattice close to your climate control unit, it creates shade and keeps the air cooler. Your system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool the air to the temperature you want. It can also help with the unit’s lifespan. You must make sure that there’s plenty of clearance for maintenance access and airflow.

Ensure Proper Airflow Around the Unit

Adequate airflow enhances HVAC efficiency through landscaping. When the airflow around the outdoor unit is restricted, the compressor must work harder and run hotter to draw air into the system. This increased effort consumes more energy and leads to higher utility bills for you. You want to ensure that there isn’t any tall grass, wild vines, or overgrown shrubs stopping proper airflow.

Keep Debris Away

The fins and filters of your outdoor unit can get clogged, stopping airflow into your unit from a variety of sources. This debris can include leaves, grass clippings, mulch, and pollen. You need to regularly clean the area around your outdoor unit to get rid of this and other debris. You don’t want a build-up of debris that can cause the unit to stop or become damaged.

Avoid Planting Too Close

When you’re adding greenery to your yard, you want it everywhere. However, planting too close can hinder HVAC efficiency through landscaping by disrupting the unit’s operations. Roots can grow under it and damage the air conditioning system. Branches over the unit can drop leaves and other debris. You might consider placing a lattice around the unit to keep greenery, vines, and branches from encroaching on your heating and cooling unit.

Direct Drainage Away from the Unit

Rainwater doesn’t always soak into the ground in minutes. In many cases, it drains to different points of your yard and soaks into the ground there. You don’t want your climate control unit in the path of direct drainage. If water pools around your unit, it can cause rust and corrosion or even damage electrical components. The addition of stones or gravel around the pad can encourage proper drainage.

Use Mulch Strategically

You use mulch in your yard to keep your plants healthy and growing. However, the moisture in the mulch can be catastrophic for your outdoor HVAC unit. It’s not enough to limit the use of mulch because the wind can blow it into the unit. You want to use stone or other low-float alternatives around the base of your outdoor HVAC unit to create a barrier.

Create a Barrier for Pets and Kids

Kids and pets can destroy more than you can fix in a day. From accidental bumps and items left on an outdoor HVAC unit to teeth and paws digging into the unit, you need to encourage pets and children to keep their distance. To keep them away, you can use landscaping features, including hedges, low fencing, or decorative rocks.

Ensure HVAC Efficiency Through Landscaping With Capital City Comfort Solutions

From the coldest days of winter to the hottest of the summer, you rely on your heating and cooling system to keep you and your family comfortable. Landscaping can help you make a great first impression while improving your system’s performance. Our team can partner with you to determine if your landscaping is hurting or helping. We can also provide expert tips and give a tune-up to keep your HVAC system in tip-top shape. Schedule your appointment now.