As any owner of a Maine heat pump can tell you, a mini-split heat pump is a great alternative to a traditional HVAC system. They are highly energy-efficient, using less electricity and keeping your utility bills low, and they don’t require expensive ductwork to be installed in your home.
Best of all, heat pumps do an excellent job of keeping your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer, even in extreme temperatures. And they even provide precise zone control, allowing you to have different temperatures in each room of your home.
The complaint that some heat pump owners have is that the outdoor unit can be an eyesore. The solution is the strategic use of landscaping to conceal the heat pump without interfering with its operation or posing a hazard to the unit. Here are some pro tips for planting around a heat pump the correct way.
Outdoor HVAC Landscaping Plants To Consider
- Evergreen Shrubs
Low-growing evergreens like dwarf boxwood, yucca, holly, laurel or juniper don’t shed a large amount of needles or leaves that can clog the air vents on your unit. - Low-Maintenance Perennials
Perennials like daylilies, hostas, ferns, coral bells or ornamental grasses that won’t grow too tall or dense, allowing for access and air flow. - Ground Covers
Ground covering plants like creeping phlox and sweet woodruff are great for filling in the ground between the unit and the larger plants.
Plants To Avoid
- Fast-Growing Plants
Plants that grow and spread quickly like forsythia or privet will try to cover your unit and require frequent trimming. Opt for slower-growing varieties like euonymus or hydrangeas. - Pollinating Plants
Plants that draw bees and wasps are also an invitation for them to build nests inside the unit. - Thorny Plants
Both you and your heat pump service technician will need to access your unit to perform heat pump cleaning and maintenance. Having to navigate thorny plants makes the job much harder.
Covering and Shading
- While covering the heat pump can protect it from snow, falling limbs and debris, it’s not usually a good idea because it can restrict the airflow. That reduces the efficiency of your heat pump, causing it to work harder and use more energy, raising your bills and causing more wear and tear to the unit.
- Shading the outdoor heat pump unit from the hot sun can increase its efficiency, but again, it’s important not to use anything for shade that will potentially block the airflow.
Clearance and Access
- Make sure to leave at least 2-3 feet of clearance on all sides of the unit to ensure proper airflow and maintenance access.
- Leave an opening in the landscaping on one side for cleaning and maintenance access.
- Put down gravel, mulch, or decorative stones around the unit to prevent grass and weeds from growing too close.
Other Tips for Landscaping Around Heat Pump
- Consider using a decorative fence or trellis with vines to surround the unit.
- Use potted or artificial plants or a gravel garden for a low-maintenance concealment option.
The most important takeaway is to always keep your unit free of leaves and debris. For even more ideas for blending your external heat pump unit with your decor, contact Valley Home Services.
