7 Ways Landscaping Impacts Your AC System in Valdosta, GA

Landscaping adds that special touch to your backyard and helps your home stand out from all others on the block. The downside is that landscaping can impact your AC system in several ways, especially the unit that sits outside. Let’s look at how your lawn, backyard, garden and overall landscaping can affect your air conditioner in Valdosta, GA.

Concrete Damage Can Require Repair

The outdoor unit of your AC system typically sits on top of a poured concrete slab. The slab keeps it from sinking into the grass and helps keep moisture out. While you can reuse an existing slab for a new air conditioner, both old and new slabs are susceptible to damage as the concrete moves.

Slab issues are often a result of moisture damage. The slab can shift to one side because the surrounding ground has too much moisture, and rain can cause it to expand and contract frequently until it breaks. It’s common to experience concrete slab issues because of poor drainage due to the wrong placement of new plants and trees.

Shade Trees Can Save You Money

If you’re thinking about investing in new landscaping and want to cut down on air conditioning repairs and services, consider planting shade trees. Chinese dogwoods, weeping willows and silver maples are all trees that do well in the Georgia climate. They provide more shade as they grow, covering the unit and keeping it cool.

This reduces the repairs you might need and helps the AC system last longer. You may even notice significant savings in your monthly cooling bills.

Trees Damage AC Systems

While having shade trees is handy, keep in mind that they can drop branches, twigs, leaves and flowers that damage the fan blades. You can see these large blades through the ventilation holes on the side of the unit. It’s easy to keep an eye out for the debris and remove any you see when working outside.

Though flowers won’t damage the fan blades the way branches and twigs do, they produce pollen that builds up inside the unit. Avoid planting any trees that produce flowers or fruits within 5 feet of your AC equipment. Use the same tip when planting trees that bear nuts.

Debris Clogs the Condenser

Whether you hire a landscaping crew or do the work yourself, watch the debris that you produce. Clippings produced when you mow can get inside the unit and clog the condenser, causing it to run hot and potentially overheat. It’ll help to use a bag when you mow and clean up after you finish the job.

Tree Roots Will Spread

Before you plant any trees too close to the unit, know that the roots will spread as the trees grow. The roots will seek out forms of nourishment, which can come from a sewer line, broken pipe or moisture leaking from the AC. They can then break the coils, blades and anything else they encounter.

Plants Can Obstruct the Air Intake Vents

Air conditioners need good ventilation to regulate their temperatures and keep them from overheating, which is why they have air intake vents that add ventilation. Your landscaping can obstruct those vents when you have weeds or planned plants that become unruly. Weeding your lawn, removing plants that grow too close to the unit and adding pavers around the concrete slab can keep obstructions from forming.

Gravel Has a Positive Impact

Limit the impact that landscaping has on your AC system by adding some gravel. Use a combination of gravel and plants that require less water to create a gorgeous garden surrounding the slab. Some top plants that won’t affect the unit because they don’t need the water it leaks include lavender, Russian sage, blanket flower and rosemary.

Your lawn and garden can impact your cooling system by damaging the slab, breaking the fan blades and causing other problems. Get help before you landscape your yard or fix the damage your old landscaping did. Contact Waller Heating & Air Conditioning to set up a maintenance plan that protects your entire HVAC system.

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