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Planting trees and shrubs around the AC’s outdoor condenser unit is a great way to increase its efficiency and lower your monthly cooling costs.  Shading the air conditioner helps to cool the air around the unit so that it doesn’t have to work as hard.

Planting shrubs around the outdoor unit is also a great way to hide the unit and provide a bit more outdoor appeal to your home.

However, there are a 4  things to consider when you are planning out your Spring landscaping this year.

1.    Make Space Around the Unit

When planting shrubs, trees or flowers or building a wall around the outdoor unit keep in mind the need for space around the unit.  Placing anything too close to the unit will restrict airflow and prevent the unit’s ability to release heat.  The condenser needs to room to breathe, without the ability to breathe the system will operate less efficiently.  It can also produce more strain on the consider, requiring more repairs and shortening its lifespan.

Additionally, think of the HVAC technician who needs to access the unit for maintenance and repairs. An adequate amount of space around the unit needs to be provided for the technician to reach and work on the unit.

2.    Keep the Area Above Clear

Condensers require more vertical breathing room than horizontal.  Never install the AC under a deck or under shrubbery that will grow over the unit.  Obstructing the vertical space over the unit could cause the unit to overheat.  Provide at least 5 feet of unobstructed space over the unit.

3.    Ensure Adequate Drainage

The air conditioner should never sit in a puddle of water.  Too much water on the unit will cause the condenser coil to rust and the unit will become less efficient.  If you notice any drainage issues around the unit it is wise to consider elevating the unit on a pad.

4.    Don’t Water the Condenser

When watering your yard or flowers be sure that sprinklers are not spraying directly onto the condenser.  You may think the water is “cleaning” the equipment, but over time the mineral deposits in the water will build-up on the condenser unit and can cause it to disperse heat less efficiently.

For reliable AC repairs, maintenance or installations call TR Miller Heating and Cooling in the Plainfield area, award winning service you can count on!  Request service on our website or call us at 1-815-265-6650.

Author

  • brian sloan headshot

    Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

    TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

    Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

    That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

    Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

    That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
    Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

    Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

    Credentials & Affiliations:
    - President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
    - Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
    - Board Member, Nexstar Network
    - Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
    - Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
    - Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller
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