These Four Landscape Improvements

Increased AC costs could eventually be the outcome of these Four landscape improvements

Did you realize that some landscaping elements could affect the performance of your air conditioner? You won't see the results of landscaping adjustments made in the early spring when you are still running your air conditioner much later. The four landscaping improvements listed below might raise your air conditioning costs.

One: Removing Trees

Trees that are not correctly spaced may send roots into your pipes or septic system, cause your foundation to sink unevenly, or do both. However, you should be aware that a falling tree could impact your air conditioner.

Trees with shade are typically planted to shield a west-facing wall or window from the sweltering summer afternoon sun. Such trees may increase your home's summer heat by enabling the sun to beam directly on them. As a result, your AC will have to operate harder, increasing your AC expenses.

If a tree that provides shade for your home is cut down, think about placing shutters or awnings on the windows to decrease the impact or trellising a vine that swiftly climbs a wall to provide shade immediately.

2: Including cement or asphalt

Both concrete and asphalt are particularly adept at generating heat in their immediate vicinity and reflecting it onto the home's walls and windows. If you're planning to build a patio or driveway next to your home, consider the extra solar heat generated there and how that will affect your AC costs.

You can design and build the driveway or patio with a lighter-colored material, shade its surface, and add a hedge, a vine, or even thermal reflecting paint to keep the wall cooler to limit or lessen the effects of new asphalt or concrete near your home.

3: Trellises or Moving Trees

Moving bushes and vines could increase your AC costs in several different ways. A lack of a shadow causes the first. If your sunny walls or windows are successfully shaded by trellised vines or a hedge of bushes, removing or moving them could result in your home retaining more heat in the summer.

Moving bushes may also harm your air conditioner by positioning them too close to the actual AC unit, which is the second way. When shrubs have large, leafy branches that significantly obstruct airflow close to the ground, it is not beneficial for an AC unit. Keep all plants and vegetation at least a few feet away from the AC unit on each side.

Think about how broad it will get in the future rather than how much room there is today surrounding it while growing a shrub or hedge near an air conditioner.

4. Install sprinklers. 

Basement moisture levels can rise due to any situation that raises water tables near the foundation or prevents water from draining away from the building. If your foundation wall is wholly waterproofed, your home's indoor air quality may improve.

Your basement becomes more humid due to the moisture penetrating the area, which subsequently permeates the rest of the house. When there isn't a dehumidifier, you frequently lower the thermostat and use more air conditioning since the high humidity makes the air feel warmer than it is.

Improved outside drainage and basement waterproofing may be helpful if you already have a humidity issue. Keep this in mind to prevent continuously introducing moisture close to your foundation wall when you plan your landscaping projects. Choose gardening tools instead that need little to no water.

The effectiveness or efficiency of your AC may be significantly impacted by these four landscape changes, increasing your AC costs. Additionally, more expert maintenance could be needed to lower AC efficiency. Therefore, contact the HVAC Installation and Repair Guide as soon as you discover your unit needs maintenance or repairs.