VIEWER QUESTION: ARE THESE PLANTED TOO CLOSE TO THE AC UNIT?
THE ANSWER
Absolutely! If I’m seeing these right, I believe they’re some sort of yew pine, which can grow up to 60 feet tall and spread 20+ feet. I know you may think that they will never get big enough in your lifetime, but trust me, they will. According to Aborrelli Mechanical Planting bushes, flowers, or shrubs near the A/C unit can obstruct airflow to the evaporator coil, diminishing its capacity to cool your home effectively. Since the evaporator coil functions by extracting heat from indoors and necessitates airflow to release that heat, obstructing it with greenery will not only raise indoor temperatures during summer but also strain the A/C unit, leading to escalated energy consumption and soaring electric bills.
I would recommend moving these shrubs while they’re young, and purchasing something smaller, giving your ac unit at least 4 feet of free space to do its job. Just make sure to measure from the planting area to the ac unit. Remember, always measure from the center of the shrub and not where the leaves start as this is the improper way to measure when planting.
If your aim is to conceal the AC unit, a practical suggestion would be to consider constructing or purchasing a breathable fence around it. Alternatively, you might opt for smaller shrubs. Evergreens like Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitaes are a favorable choice. These shrubs stay compact, growing only 3 feet tall and wide, making them ideal for lining walkways. Arranging them in a staggered pattern creates a natural appearance. Space them accordingly. I recommend planting them 3.5 feet apart so it allows for ample airflow to dissipate heat. Groundcovers are also a viable option, most being drought-tolerant, which is crucial given the heat generated by the AC unit.
