Your central air conditioning system works hard to keep you cool and comfortable during the hot and humid Newtown, PA, summers, and your landscaping decisions can make its job easier or more difficult. You can help your air conditioning system run efficiently all summer long by avoiding common mistakes and placing the right kind of plants in strategic locations. Let’s take a look at a couple of helpful hints for landscaping around your AC equipment.
Leave Enough Space Around Your Outdoor AC Unit
Outdoor units that contain the cooling system’s condenser and compressor are extremely efficient and capable, but they’re not very attractive. One common mistake homeowners make is impeding the flow of air to the outdoor unit by planting shrubs or bushes too close to it. You can use plants near your outdoor unit, but make sure to leave at least 3 feet of space around it in every direction, and don’t let branches from nearby trees hang over it.
Create a Microclimate That Provides Shade
Outdoor units that aren’t in the hot sun don’t need to work as hard and may require fewer HVAC repairs. You could purchase a shade cover to protect the unit from direct sunlight or use tall plants to create a slightly cooler microclimate in your yard. You’ll need to do more raking each fall if you use deciduous trees or bushes to create shade, but plants that lose their leaves every year will allow more sunlight to reach your house in winter.
Stay Cool and Comfortable All Summer Long
If you have questions about landscaping around your AC, our friendly and experienced professionals can answer them. Our roots in the HVAC industry go back three generations, and that helps us to provide outstanding air conditioning maintenance and repair services to you in Newtown, PA. If you want your air conditioning system to run efficiently for years, call Service First Heating & Air Conditioning for professional AC services.
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