Hiding Your Outdoor A/C Unit

Whether you live in a densely populated neighborhood where noise carries, or whether you simply want to cover up what amounts to an eyesore, fencing off your central outdoor A/C unit can provide a number of benefits as well as some headaches.

Here’s what you need to know:

First, consult the instructions that came with your outdoor unit when it was installed outside your home. Check what the minimum clearance distances are from surrounding surfaces before getting any grand ideas about building a tight-fitting screen around the machine.

Machines with higher SEER numbers, for instance, often call for greater separation distances from objects, especially if several units are to be installed in close proximity to one another. Very often, a dealer will replace an old A/C unit with a much larger one – and install the new unit on the same concrete-based pad as the old. This can result in separation distances that are too small for the new unit to operate properly.

Second, consider what your local building codes say about the proximity of outdoor A/C units, as well as any other special considerations for installation.

Third, take a close look at nearby surrounding vegetation, which should be no closer to your outdoor unit than is called for by the manufacturer and/or building codes. While this may seem like a no-brainer, remember to factor in how quickly the surrounding vegetation might grow. A healthy shrub that was a good three feet away when the unit was installed could grow to within a foot or less away within a year’s time.

Also bear in mind the kind of material that you will be using to screen off you’re A/C unit. Simply choosing a lattice-type of material or planning on a low screen may not result in providing the needed clearance or airflow.

Before opting to fence in your A/C unit, it’s best to consult a professional who can take a closer look at your individual situation, assess your needs and suggest possible solutions: Is the masking more to cover an unsightly appliance, provide a design touch, eliminate noise -- or all three? Is addressing all three issues even possible?

Here at A/C World, we always want your cooling choices to have good results – both for you, the environment and those around you. Feel free to give us a call for all of your air conditioning needs!