When you think about saving energy in your home, you look indoors at things like sealing windows, adjusting thermostats, or upgrading insulation. Doing these things can improve energy efficiency, but you can also lower your energy bills and help your HVAC system last longer by taking specific steps outdoors.
Your landscaping choices can have a direct impact on the workload your heating and cooling system has to endure and how much energy it uses along the way. Thoughtful landscaping involves more than curb appeal because you can create a yard that’s harmonious with your home HVAC system. Learn about things you can do with strategic landscaping, grading, planting, and maintenance that can reduce your household’s energy usage while improving its comfort inside.
Use Mulch or Decorative Stones Around Your Outdoor Unit
The big boxy unit sitting outside your home is the HVAC condenser. While it helps maintain a consistent internal environment in your home, it’s vulnerable to the whims of Mother Nature and the elements outside. Rain can splash mud onto the coils, and sprinkler systems can also cause this; in either case, the result is the buildup of grime and reduced airflow. Over time, system efficiency decreases while wear and tear start to take a toll.
Prevent this by surrounding the area around and underneath your unit with decorative stones or mulch. Both help absorb water, minimize splashback, and prevent weeds from growing. Small stones and rubber mulch are the best choices because organic mulches can decompose quickly and start clogging the fins. This fundamental step creates a clean buffer zone around your unit, offering protection and enhancing the landscape design.
Keep HVAC Units Away From Deciduous Trees
Many homeowners think it’s a good idea to put their HVAC unit under the shade of a tree, but not every tree is helpful, particularly trees that lose their leaves every autumn. A deciduous tree can dump piles of not just leaves but also twigs, sap, and seed pods right on the unit. All this can clog the condenser fins, restrict or block airflow, cause the unit to overheat, or lead to premature failure.
The better move is to install your AC or other outdoor unit away from trees that drop leaves. Alternatively, you can plant evergreens known for year-round foliage. If you have a nearby deciduous tree you want to preserve, keep your outdoor unit operating smoothly with seasonal clean-ups and regular raking.
Clear Yard Waste Regularly Around HVAC Units
Regular yard maintenance keeps your landscape looking good, but it can also inadvertently hurt your HVAC system. Leaves, grass clippings, and small twigs from trimming, mowing, and raking often collect at the base of the unit. Over time, debris accumulates, blocking airflow and reducing efficiency.
When you mow or use a leaf blower, be mindful of the direction you blow clippings. Direct debris away from your HVAC unit, or temporarily shield it with a tarp when you do yard work. A narrow border of pavers or gravel can also act as a buffer against debris.
Use Shrubs or Fencing to Shade and Shield the Unit
Crowding your outdoor unit isn’t wise, but utilizing landscaping elements for partial shade can be helpful. Shrubs and lattice fencing are potential barriers that keep an HVAC unit protected from windblown trash, leaves, and falling branches. A shaded unit might operate 10% more efficiently when it’s hot outside.
The best shrubs for this application are compact and don’t shed heavily. Always keep a minimum of 24 to 36-in. of clearance around the unit to ensure technician access and good airflow. Trellises and fencing should allow for air movement; avoid solid walls unless the unit has ample space for ventilation.
Ensure the Outdoor Unit Is Level and Well-Drained
Your HVAC system will work best if it’s installed on properly leveled ground. A composite or concrete slab can provide a stable surface for your unit if your property is graded for erosion control and water drainage. Proper drainage is crucial because water pooling around the unit base can result in unsafe electrical conditions and corrode components.
Retaining borders, slab extensions, and compacted gravel beneath the unit help stabilize the unit and direct water away from the system. An uneven base puts stress on refrigerant lines, causes vibrations, or leads to inefficient operations and unit damage.
Use Trees Strategically to Shade Your Home
As stated already, trees closest to your outdoor unit should ideally be evergreens instead of deciduous, but you can compensate with regular cleaning and care. However, strategically placed trees around the rest of your property can be a very effective way to reduce heat gain inside your house. Large deciduous trees placed on the west and south sides of your property can use their foliage to block intense afternoon sunlight in the summer months, providing your home with natural cooling.
During the winter months, when they lose their leaves, these same trees let sunlight through to warm your home. Both of these situations reduce the workload on your HVAC system, significantly reducing energy costs. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to select trees that can provide reliable coverage and thrive in your specific location. Pick native trees that grow fast and are well-suited to the climate in your region.
Choose Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Near the Unit
Grass close to your HVAC unit means frequent edging, trimming, and debris removal. All of these heighten the risk of system damage or clogs. Opt for low-maintenance ground covers, such as sedum, creeping thyme, or ornamental gravel. You don’t have to mow these, and they’re unlikely to spread into the base of the unit. Use them to create a clean, breathable area that looks intentional and polished. If you have or want to practice water conservation, drought-resistant varieties can reduce irrigation needs.
Avoid Overwatering Near HVAC Systems
Excessive water can do just as much damage as debris or dust. Overwatering near your condenser unit can result in saturated soil, mold, rust, and, in extreme cases, even short circuits. Lots of irrigation systems can accidentally spray the physical unit, resulting in a buildup or corrosion inside the housing. Keep sprinkler heads aimed away from your system, or switch to drip irrigation in that part of your landscape.
Help Your Hardworking HVAC System Outside
Your HVAC system works hard year-round to keep everyone inside comfortable, but you can support it with just a bit of attention to your landscaping. From access and airflow to shading and protection, every design choice and plant can make a difference. When you align your landscape design with proven HVAC efficiency principles, you can create a gorgeous outdoor space that contributes to lower utility bills, longer system life, and enhanced energy performance.
Let Us Help You Make a Difference
Woodward Heating Air Plumbing provides residents in Salem and the surrounding areas of Oregon with HVAC and plumbing services. We offer heating and air conditioning repairs, installation, and maintenance. Count on us for thermostats, ductless AC systems, heat pumps, and indoor air quality services.
Contact Woodward Heating Air Plumbing for all your HVAC questions and needs.
