Hiding an air conditioning unit is fine to do as long as you don't block air flow and leave it accessible. Here are some of our favorite outdoor AC cover ideas.
A central air conditioning system needs an outdoor compressor unit to move heat from indoors to outdoors—and let’s face it, it’s pretty ugly. It’s a big metal box that, despite your best efforts to keep it clean, gets coated with dirt and debris.
Eventually, the paint fades in the sun and the exposed metal becomes rusty. Your outdoor AC can detract from your home’s appearance and could even affect its resale value.
Your outdoor AC cover should never prevent air from circulating through the unit. Otherwise, you’ll make the compressor work too hard, which will shorten its life and prevent it from fulfilling your cooling needs.
Here are some ways to hide an AC unit to give your house an aesthetic upgrade without affecting its performance.
You can even go for naturally gorgeous ideas like adding flower boxes to create a living garden. This will not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your house, but it will also elevate its overall charm.
When it comes to natural covers like these, you have to keep a regular AC maintenance routine to make sure your AC doesn’t get clogged with moisture.
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Hide the AC Unit with a Modern Outdoor AC Cover
Here’s an idea for how to hide an outdoor air conditioner: Put it beneath a beautiful structure of clear or weathered redwood or cedar. This could turn into a unique cover with a statement-worthy texture.
Just make sure you construct the outdoor AC cover to be easily disassembled so you can have access to the unit for maintenance and repairs. Be sure to provide ample space between the slats for air to circulate.
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Tool Shed as Outdoor AC Cover
Make your outdoor AC cover do double duty by also providing storage space for your outdoor tools. A mini shed is perfect for covering up your AC unit and hiding miscellaneous outdoor items.
Just make sure the tools don’t get in the way of ventilation for the outdoor AC unit and that you have easy-to-remove access doors. Also, be careful while covering your air conditioner in winter.
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Hide the AC Unit with Tall Shrubs
Line the side of your house with beautiful, tall shrubs to not only hide your ugly outdoor AC unit, but also create more privacy for your outdoor space. This will also help you add to the overall aesthetic of your house, giving it a modern and minimalistic touch.
It can also help you add some oxygenated air to your atmosphere, creating a stress-free space for yourself and your family. Remember to regularly clean your air conditioner to ensure your design remains both functional and stylish.
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Judy Kennamer/Shutterstock
Hide AC Unit with Birdhouse Picket Fence
Start by building a fence with plenty of space between the pickets and an access door. Let your fence serve as a perch for birds to eat and chill. Line up birdhouses to create an attractive outdoor space.
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Via Merchant
6. Hide the AC Unit with a Shabby Chic Shutter Screen
Don’t throw your old wood shutters away because you can use them to beautify your house while creating an unexpectedly unique outdoor AC unit cover.
An old shutter is the perfect repurposed fence for hiding your AC unit. Paint an old screen a vibrant color and wrap it around the outdoor AC unit.
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Klem Mitch/Shutterstock
7. Elevate the AC Unit Cover with an Iron Trellis
If you’re one of the people with a green thumb who love to bask in the glorious lap of Mother Nature, we have just the idea for you, too.
Surround your outdoor AC unit with a beautiful iron trellis. Let vines grow up to create a backyard nature scene. This can also elevate the overall oxygen level in your home.
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Infinity Pools of Georgia
8. Hide the AC Unit with a Multi-Purpose Structure
Build a full-height equipment shed big enough to house your outdoor AC unit, along with pool stuff and garden tools. This can be a very useful way to utilize space in the right way.
Make sure the sides are low enough to allow air to circulate and keep miscellaneous items a few feet away from the AC unit.
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Suncast
9. Hide the AC Unit with an Outdoor Privacy Screen
Not really a DIYer? Simply purchase a pretty outdoor privacy screen and let vines grow up for an AC unit screen. You can also purchase decorative covers for AC units.
However, if you do want a DIY project, you can even build a patio privacy screen yourself to add a creative twist to your house’s backyard or patio.
What are the risks of enclosing an AC unit?
If you don’t make sure that your outdoor AC unit is properly covered with a slightly looser cover, this can cause several issues and ultimately risk the health of your unit. Here are the main risks:
Restricted Airflow: AC units require cross ventilation. If your creative outdoor AC cover happens to hinder this, it can cause overworking and overheating.
Reduced Efficiency: Without proper airflow, your AC will have to work harder and this will kill its efficiency and effectiveness.
Overheating and Damage: If the compressor has to overwork, it is bound to overheat. This can lead to permanent damage.
Obstructed Maintenance and Repair: If the outdoor AC cover takes effort to move, this will make maintenance difficult.
Moisture and Mold: An outdoor cover will trap any possible moisture in the AC unit, causing mold or rust.
FAQ
What should I avoid when hiding my outdoor AC unit?
When you hide an AC unit, you want to avoid dense materials that restrict air flow. These include:
heavy foliage
heavy fabrics and tarps
Wood, metal or plastic enclosure without proper ventilation
You also want to avoid restricting access to the unit for repairs and maintenance. Some units have overhead access doors and some have them on the side. You need to be able to easily remove the covering so you can get to these doors.
How do I choose the right AC cover size?
If you’re looking to purchase and choose just the right outdoor AC cover, then you can start by measuring the height, width and depth of your unit.
Pro Tip: Go for a slightly larger size to allow easy and active ventilation.
Sources:
Home Improvement: “Have I ruined my AC by running it with the outside cover on?”
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