Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are important parts of the home, especially those situated in temperate climates. Throughout much of the year, temperatures will fluctuate depending on the season. That said, HVAC systems are an excellent way of maintaining a stable temperature while keeping living spaces comfortable with the right amount of humidity.
However, HVAC systems can also be a bit sore on the eyes. Let’s face it: air conditioning units, big fans, and heaters are bulky and generally not visually appealing. They don’t really add much to your garden, and they’re far from the natural and “organic” feel of your garden. Although many homeowners and gardeners can “conceal” their HVAC system that’s close to their garden by adding even more appeal to the surroundings, this process can be a bit tricky. Normally, HVAC equipment like air conditioning units will blow hot air out through some outlets, which might cause some complications in the gardening process.
But even though gardening close to HVAC systems might seem a bit complicated at first, it can still be done. Landscaping and designing your garden is a great way of hiding it in plain sight. So what’s the right way of doing it? Here are some important tips that you can follow.
Maintaining Your Equipment
First and foremost, you’ll need to keep in mind the “lifespan” of your equipment. Like any construction and building material out there, most heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment have their own lifespans. On average, an air conditioning unit will last around 15 to 20 years, right before it needs to be replaced.
One of the best ways of extending the lifespan of your HVAC equipment is by doing regular maintenance. Most housing experts would suggest having your HVAC systems checked and maintained at least once a year.
Heating and air conditioning equipment will need to be checked by professionals. In most cases, the filters will have to be replaced.
When it comes to maintaining your ventilation system situated close to your garden, you might want to consider commissioning the services of professionals. Fortunately, there are dryer vent cleaning services with the manpower and equipment to clean your ventilation system quickly and efficiently. Air quality should always be a concern in the household as most air-borne diseases can travel through air circulation. Having clean vents are a great way of keeping your home clean and the inhabitants healthy.
But what are some ways of beautifying your garden without directly affecting the integrity of your HVAC systems? Here’s what you can do.
Place Them on the Shade
Your air conditioning unit and ventilation systems will feel cooler when they’re placed under the shade. Although this will only lower the temperature by a couple of degrees, it’s still way better than exposing your systems to direct sunlight. Can you imagine dead leaves and foliage being close to an HVAC system that has a hot surface close to boiling temperatures? This can be a potential fire hazard. Strategically placing your HVAC system in the shade is a great way of decreasing the likelihood of fires.
Making It Part of the Garden
There are different ways of making your AC unit part of the garden. Even though a lot of people will use plants as a way of concealing their AC units and heaters, you can always use screens, lattice boxes, and trellises as a means of making your HVAC system part of your landscape.
If you’re looking for a great way of getting that “wooden” look going, lattice boxes are a great option. Not only are these visually pleasing, but you won’t have to invest or maintain any plants. It’s important not to enclose your AC units since this could trap the flow of air.
Make Things Mobile
If you’re having a hard time deciding where you’ll be placing your plants or how you’ll be decorating your garden, you don’t have to commit. Instead of rooting your plants on the ground, you can always go “mobile” by placing your plants on pots. Not only is this a good way of having a no-commitment-yet kind of garden going, but large potted plants are a great way of tucking air conditioning outlets and vents out of sight. Potted plants also make for great indoor plants. Some tropical plants will only need a minimum amount of water and sunlight.
While most HVAC pieces of equipment are getting smaller and more compact as the years pass, it can still be an eyesore in some situations. You don’t necessarily need to spend much on your garden to cover up the bulky and industrial-looking HVAC systems close to your garden: all you need is a bit of creativity and imagination!
