Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioners’

People plant around their air conditioning units for different reasons. Some think the units are ugly and try to hide them with plants; others want to cool the air surrounding the unit to increase energy efficiency. Either way, there are some important guidelines to consider when planting around air conditioners.

Do not block air emitted from the condenser. This can cause the unit to overheat and malfunction. To avoid this, leave about 2’ between plantings and the unit. There are some exceptions where plants can be closer to the units. Annabelle Hydrangea, for example, is a great plant for screening air conditioners because it allows for effective ventilation and tolerates the hot air emitted.

A shaded air conditioning unit requires 10% less energy to operate than an unshaded unit. The most effective way to shade the unit is by planting a shade tree that blocks light from above during the hottest portion of the day when the unit is most likely running. Shade trees can be 80’ tall, but a 20’ tall ornamental tree can be just as effective if placed properly. Be sure to leave at least 5’ clearance between any part of the tree and the top of the air conditioning unit.

If you are building a new home or placing a new air conditioning unit, you may want to consider where the unit will be located. Placing the unit on the north side of the building will utilize the shade created by building to help cool the air around unit.