How Landscaping Can Affect Your Home HVAC System
Every home needs a functional HVAC system. This equipment keeps residents comfortable and safe when the outside weather grows extreme. The performance of your HVAC system, however, is probably assumed, right up until it stops doing its job.
One thing that can impact your HVAC system’s functionality? The negligence when you are doing your landscaping. It’s vital to maintain proper landscaping around your system. If this part of your equipment’s care goes overlooked, performance will invariably decline. Following are a few Do’s and Don’ts concerning the landscaping around your home HVAC equipment.
HVAC Service Georgetown MA: Effective Techniques For HVAC System Landscaping
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In general, landscaping a yard can be easy and straightforward in certain areas, but far more challenging in others.
This task isn’t as simple as passing by your HVAC system on a riding mower and hoping for the best. Following is a list of four things that you shouldn’t do and four things that you should do around your HVAC system.
Landscaping Tips For Your Home HVAC
Build a barrier of some type around your HVAC systems, such as concrete or gravel. For some homes, the HVAC system is built directly on a platform. However, this may not be a realistic choice for your home. You need something there to provide a small amount of protection. All of your vegetation should grow away from your HVAC system. Anything that starts creeping towards this unit should be cut back. The area of space around the unit should be about 3-feet if possible. Not only will vegetation block and clog your home HVAC system, but it can also cause damage to your plants. Both will benefit if each feature has space to itself.
Prevent exposure to direct sunlight. This aspect may not always be a possibility depending upon how your home is laid out. Generally, new construction accounts for this need and frequently builds accordingly. Sunlight, even when the temperatures are low, can diminish the efficiency of an HVAC system over time. If you’re unable to alter or move the location of this equipment, planting a nearby tree will provide some much-needed shade.
Prepare for storms and always clean up after them. In addition to causing damages when they hit, storms can also cause harm if the resulting debris is not removed quickly. Twigs and branches are some of the most significant problems for HVAC equipment since they can get trapped in the vents, and they may even smack up against these units and cause dents. Before a storm hits, bring in any outside items that are light enough to get carried off by the wind.
Landscaping That Can Cause Damage To Your HVAC System
- Don’t mow the lawn when the fan is on. Lots of loose clippings get blown up by mowers. When the fan is running, the fan makes the HVAC equipment far more vulnerable to damages from this debris. Pick a good time of day and things should work out. For instance, the fan isn’t likely to run early in the morning or late in the evening. Luckily, this is also a great time to be outside doing yard work.
- Don’t lay mulch down. There are plenty of bright ideas for building barriers around HVAC systems, but laying down mulch isn’t one of them. These small-sized pieces can get into the system on occasion, and when they do, they’ll cause far more damage than grass or any other objects.
- Don’t get too fancy with your landscape designs. HVAC systems aren’t all that attractive so you may be tempted to spruce yours up a bit. Shrubs and plants have to be kept a sufficient distance away from this equipment, so be sure to remember that. Never attempt to cover your HVAC equipment entirely, because this will only result in more repairs and tech visits.
- Don’t take shortcuts with your lawn maintenance. Before you mow, make sure to inspect the area around your HVAC system. You should check the entire lawn if you can, but this area can take a particular beating if nearby twigs or rocks get kicked up.
Conclusion
Get in touch with Townsend Energy now for trusted heating and cooling services for your home.
Our technicians have the knowledge and experience to identify your system needs for increased efficiency and comfort. We provide superior HVAC solutions at reasonable prices including repairs, installations, and system tune-ups. Contact Townsend Energy today to set up an appointment for your home.
Some of the areas that we service include Boxford, Byfield, Georgetown, Groveland, Rowley, and these zip codes 01921, 01922, 01833, 01834, 01969 as well as all surrounding areas in Essex County, Massachusetts.
Click here to contact us now or you can call us at (800) 888-2888 to find out more!