Whether you have a heat pump or a traditional HVAC system, you likely have an outdoor condensing unit that plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable. These outdoor units are designed to be functional rather than look nice, and it’s for this reason that you may want to hide yours. Fortunately, there are several options to keep your outdoor HVAC unit from view.
Precautions When Hiding Your HVAC Unit
It’s important to note that outdoor HVAC units need clearance around them to function properly. If they don’t have enough clearance, they don’t operate efficiently and will have a shorter lifespan. Specifically, these units should have at least 5 feet of clearance above them and 1 to 2 feet of clearance around their sides.
Plant Shrubs
One of the easiest things you can do is plant shrubs to hide your outdoor HVAC unit. In addition to hiding the unit, shrubs are a great way to beautify your yard. Just make sure you keep them properly pruned so they don’t interfere with the airflow your outdoor unit needs.
Install a Picket Fence
This is a great choice if you already have a picket fence around your yard. While you can build the picket fence yourself, it’s easier to buy a pre-made one from a home improvement store. You can buy ones that are painted white or that are unpainted so that you can paint them yourself to match your home.
Large Planters
If planting shrubs is not an option, you can place large planters around your outdoor unit to hide it. This works best if your unit is close to your patio. For the planter, choose plants that are heat-tolerant so the hot air coming out of your unit doesn’t hurt them.
Iron Trellis
Another option is to use an iron trellis to remove your outdoor HVAC unit from view. You can let ivy grow on it to completely hide the unit. Just be aware that ivy grows fast, so you’ll need to trim it often.
Equipment Shed
Want to add something a little more functional? You can buy or build an equipment shed to hide your unit. Besides hiding the eyesore that is your unit, the shed can be used to store garden tools and other outdoor equipment.
Evans Mechanical in Eureka, CA installs, repairs, and maintains HVAC systems. This includes furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. We can also help you with water heaters and improving your home’s air quality. Please contact Evans Mechanical today to find out more.
