3 ways to hide your AC Unit

Here is the Top 3 ways to hide your AC Unit. Few homeowners would be willing to part with their (air conditioning) AC unit and the comfort these systems bring to their homes. Unfortunately, few people appreciate the eyesores that are outdoor air conditioning units. These machines tend to be bulky and take the form of large boxes on the side of the house. To prevent your guests’ eyes from going straight to the HVAC unit when they see your house, use the following three tips to keep hide your AC unit.

Paint Your Unit to Match the Color of Your Home

Split Air Conditioner Systems

Image via Flickr by d00d

Few homeowners pick out industrialized gray when they make their home’s color selection, but that color is often the default cover color for outdoor air conditioning units. If you’re unable to hide your unit and don’t want to install fencing (see ideas below), consider saving some of the paint from your home and spreading a coat of paint over the outdoor box. Painting is often the best option, allowing you to keep your unit easily accessible to maintenance techs and the area clear for air flow.

Buy paint made specifically for home appliances; otherwise, the paint could flake off after a few weeks. After painting, turn off your unit for a day or two. After wiping off any dirt or bird droppings and covering any parts of the air conditioning unit that you don’t want to spray, you’re ready to paint. When you’re done, let the paint dry for 24 hours before applying a second coat or turning on the unit.

Strategically Plant Trees and Shrubs Around Your Home

One of the most common methods for hide your AC unit is planting shrubs along the home. These shrubs can surround the unit, while leafy ferns and trees can hide the top from sight.

You need only a few plants to create a disguise for your air conditioning system, which is why many homeowners choose this method. However, these plants need to be well-maintained plantings; otherwise, your yard will quickly become overgrown. Out-of-control shrubbery will also block air flow and inhibit any maintenance person from easily servicing your air conditioning unit.

Build a Fence Around Your Unit

Some homeowners who already have fencing around their yards continue the pattern by fencing off their air conditioning unit. These homeowners tend to build a small box with a latch and enough room for someone to enter and inspect the machinery. This arrangement is ideal for HVAC maintenance specialists who need to reach specific areas of your system for routine HVAC system maintenance and cleanings and troubleshooting.

Since this idea is a nonpermanent solution, you can always remove the boxed fence if you need a change in your landscape.

Few homes lose property value because of an ugly outdoor HVAC unit, but many people prefer to hide it or build an enclosure around it to match their aesthetic. You have the free rein to make any changes you want around the unit, as long as an HVAC technician can still get to your unit if it breaks and proper air circulation exists around the fan.