How to Hide Your AC Unit In Plain Sight

It’s no secret that air conditioning units are an essential part of our homes, especially during sweltering weather.

However, some homeowners are hesitant to install or purchase AC units that might spoil the look and feel of their houses. They are essential to keeping your home comfortable to live in, however, they can also be an eyesore for your home’s décor. Nobody wants an ugly window air conditioning unit or bulky outdoor HVAC unit that spoils the ambiance of their well-decorated interior. Fortunately, there are many ways to hide an AC unit while still keeping it accessible.

In this blog post, we’ll share some great ideas and easy-to-follow techniques on how to conceal your AC unit and blend it into your home decor without going through a major renovation. Whether your AC unit is outdoors or indoors, we’ve got you covered!

Landscaping Around Your AC Unit
One of the easiest and most effective ways to hide your AC unit is to blend it into your surrounding landscape. You can hide it naturally amidst shrubs, and flowers, or even create a garden around it. You can plant trees like alder, maple, or fir that can grow tall enough to mask the AC unit. For shrubs, you can use boxwoods, holly, or euonymus. However, it's essential to make sure you leave enough clearance space between the plants and the unit for proper airflow. Add rocks or stones around the AC unit and you’ll have a visually appealing and functional feature.

Fencing
Depending on where the unit is situated, another great way to hide your AC unit is by installing a fence around it. You could use a lattice, wood, or wrought-iron fence, depending on the style of your house. To create a more stylish look, you can paint or stain the fence to match the exterior of your home. You can also plant ivy or vines around the fence to make it look like a natural part of your landscape.

Build a Screen or Enclosure
If you want complete coverage, consider building a custom screen or enclosure for your air conditioning unit. You can use wood panels or cinder blocks to construct a wall around the unit that can double as a seating area. You could even have a contractor build an attractive seating area or enclosure that perfectly hides the AC unit.

Make it Blend
If your AC unit is on the inside, there are some great and creative ways to make it blend into the overall look of your home. You can use wallpapers and decals to decorate the walls around the unit or get creative with furniture pieces. Using accessories like wooden boxes, decorative baskets, or ornamental shelves helps camouflage your air conditioning system in plain sight!

Cover When Not In Use
Another great option is to build a custom cabinet that surrounds the unit or even hang an art piece in front of it. This way, you’ll still have access to your AC, but nobody will notice it’s there. Alternatively, you can use removable panels or curtains to cover up the unit when not in use. If space allows, you might even install a sliding door so that you can open and shut it whenever needed.

The beauty of hiding your AC unit is that there are so many unique ways to do it. These ideas range from the exotic and artistic to the traditional and natural. No matter which idea meets your needs best, concealing your AC unit and blending it into your home décor not only makes for great aesthetics but also provides functional protection. Also, it’s important to remember that despite its attractiveness, the system should always have plenty of clearance for proper airflow and easy maintenance. You might want some extra help when it comes to air conditioner installation as professionals will be able to provide guidance and assistance with selecting the best AC unit for your home and ensure that it is securely installed and functioning optimally. This way, you can enjoy all the benefits of air conditioning without compromising on style or décor!

Read on.

Related Links

• U.S. Housing Starts Fall 8% in June, Biggest Drop in a Year

• The 8 Mortgage Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

• Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now.

But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.

Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level

You may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount. Data from First American helps illustrate this point (see graph below):

What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent article from Realtor.com says:

“Homeownership has long been tied to building wealth—and for good reason. Instead of throwing rent money out the window each month, owning a home allows you to build home equity. And over time, equity can turn your mortgage debt into a sizeable asset.”

Basically, the wealth you accumulate when you own a home has a lot to do with equity. As a homeowner, equity is built up as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate over time. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains how this same benefit isn’t true for renters in a recent podcast:

“Renters as non-homeowners gain no wealth benefit as home prices rise. That wealth actually accrues to the landlord.”

Before you decide to sign another rental agreement, now is a good time to think about whether it would be better for you to buy a home instead. The best way to figure out what makes sense for you is to have a conversation with a real estate expert you trust. That professional can talk you through the benefits that come with owning to determine if that’s the right next step for you. 

Bottom Line

If you're not sure whether to keep renting or to buy a home, know that owning a home, no matter how much money you make, can help build your wealth. Connect with a local real estate agent to get started on the path to homeownership.

Related Links

• U.S. Housing Starts Fall 8% in June, Biggest Drop in a Year

• The 8 Mortgage Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

• Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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The 8 Mortgage Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

Picking out the perfect home can be a challenging task. But that’s only the first step. You still need to be an attractive loan candidate, navigate the mortgage process and plan well for the future.

Since all that can get a little tricky, many home buyers made mortgage mistakes that cost them dearly.

In order to avoid some of the biggest missteps, you should first know what they are.

1. Picking any old mortgage

You don’t want to be saddled for even a short period of time with the wrong mortgage.

Investigate all of your options, and then you need to lay your choices side-by-side and do the math—making sure you have an emergency savings for worst-case scenarios.

Loan shop with several different lenders and use a mortgage calculator to fine-tune your estimates.

2. Confusing pre-approval or pre-qualification with commitment

When you’re pre-qualified, the lender is simply giving you an estimate about how much you can borrow based on information you’ve provided.

When you’re pre-approved, the lender has verified everything you’ve provided and is offering to lend you up to a given amount at current interest rates—under certain conditions.

It’s much better to be pre-approved when shopping for a home, but it’s still not a guarantee: the lender’s final clearance and a loan commitment are subject to an appraisal satisfactory to the lender, good title, a last-minute credit check and other verifications.

3. Having too much debt

Even if you pay your bills on time, lenders tend to focus just as much on how much credit you have available to you—that is, your debt-to-income ratio—as they do on timeliness.

Being up to your ears in debt is a sure way to be turned down for a mortgage. Postpone any big-ticket purchases until after you buy your house.

4. Forgetting about your credit

Before you apply for a loan, you should know your credit score and credit report inside and out.

Thoroughly check your credit report for any possible mistakes. You can order a free credit report from each of the big three credit report agencies—Equifax, TransUnion and Experian—once a year.

If you see a mistake, dispute it. If your credit is bad, that’s okay: just work on repairing it before you apply for a mortgage.

5. Lying on your loan application

Exaggerating your income on a mortgage application or putting down other untruths can be a federal offense.

If a lender finds out, they can make your loan due and payable. And while bad loan officers may stretch the truth to get a client approved, it’s the borrowers who end up paying the price.

6. Hiding from payments

The worst thing you can do is ignore phone calls and letters from your lender when you are behind on your payments.

Lenders have many options at their disposal to help keep borrowers from losing their homes to foreclosure, but they can’t do anything for you unless they can talk to you about your difficulties.

7. Skipping a home inspection

Failing to make your purchase contingent on a satisfactory home inspection could be a costly mistake.

Good home inspectors examine houses from stem to stern. They’ll be able to tell you whether the roof or basement leaks, whether the mechanical systems are in good shape and how long the appliances should last.

Don’t get caught off guard by needed repairs, or it will mean more money for your mortgage payments.

If you’re unsure of where to find a good home inspector, ask your agent for a referral. 

8. Making big life changes

Lenders like stability.

It’s a good idea to have kept your job for at least a year or two before applying for a mortgage, and it’s even more important to keep your job throughout the mortgage process.

If you’re looking to switch jobs, wait until after you’ve closed the deal.

Get more like this on Realtor.com

Related Links

• U.S. Housing Starts Fall 8% in June, Biggest Drop in a Year

• 4 Tips for Air Conditioning Care to Keep in Mind Over the Summer

• Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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U.S. Housing Starts Fall 8% in June, Biggest Drop in a Year

The numbers: Construction on new homes fell 8% in June, as U.S. homebuilders sharply slowed down starting on new single-family homes and focusing on finishing existing projects.

Housing starts fell to a 1.43 million annual pace last month from 1.56 million in May, the government said Wednesday. The data measures how many houses would be built over an entire year if construction took place at the same rate in every month as it did in June.

The pace of construction in June slowed from a jump of nearly 16% the previous month. The jump in housing starts in May this year was only eclipsed by a surge in construction in March 2021.

Economists on Wall Street were expecting a sharper drop of 9.2%. All numbers are seasonally adjusted. The last time housing starts fell by this much was in July 2022.

Both single and multi-family construction fell in June, as home builders pulled back on new construction to focus on finishing and selling existing inventory.

But keen interest from would-be home buyers is creating strong demand for new homes. These buyers continue to face a lack of options in the resale market for existing homes.

The drop in construction this summer was led by the Midwest, which saw housing starts drop by 33%.

Building permits, a sign of future construction, fell 3.7% to a 1.44 million rate.

Key details: The construction pace of single-family homes fell by 7% in June, and apartment building fell by 11.6%.

Home builders pulled back the most in the Midwest, where housing starts fell by 33%. That comes after a surge in building in May of 67%.

The only part of the U.S. where housing starts rose in June was in the West, where housing starts rose by 4.6% for single-family homes.

Permits for single-family homes rose by 2.2% in June, while permits for buildings with at least five units or more dropped by 13.5%.

Big picture: At the end of spring, builders revved up construction on single-family homes as the weather warmed up. Housing starts jumped nearly 16% in June, according to the government’s data.

But this summer, they’re not pulling back due to weak demand. They appear to be focusing on finishing those projects. 1.68 million homes were under construction as of June, which is the highest level since February.

Demand for new homes continues to be strong, and builders continue to pull back on sales incentives such as price cuts, the National Association of Home Builders reported on Tuesday.

What are they saying? Single-family housing starts have been strong in May and June, Stephen Stanley, chief U.S. economist at Santander U.S. Capital Markets, wrote in a note.

Given that single-family home-building is still elevated this spring and summer, “this adds to the evidence that housing activity is, at a minimum, bottoming out after a rough second half of 2022,” he added.

“Overall, the cooling in building and permit issuance is a good sign for the Fed that is looking to limit housing market activity in an effort to contain inflation,” Katherine Judge at CIBC Economics, wrote in a note.

Keep reading.

Related Links

• 8 Colors Interior Designers Say Their Clients Can’t Get Enough Of

• 4 Tips for Air Conditioning Care to Keep in Mind Over the Summer

• Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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8 Things Sneakily Making Your Home Feel Hot in the Summer

With summer temperatures really ramping up, it can feel like you’re getting hit with a double-whammy.

Not only does it feel like you can’t get cool, but it can also feel like you’re emptying your wallet while trying to do so. So what gives? Why are you spending a fortune on your electric bill and still not feeling comfortable and chilled in your own home?

There might be some hidden culprits at play here that are keeping your house from cooling off, say pros. Life’s too short to not enjoy your home in the summertime, or any season throughout the year — so read on for HVAC professionals’ takes on the most common causes of a hot house (and how you can fix it).

Poor Insulation

Bundling up your home isn’t just important in winter. “The number of windows and doors, the thickness of your exterior walls, and the measure of your insulation’s ability to resist heat in your walls all drive how hard your AC will need to work,” says Kirk Newton, service manager at Reliable Heating & Air.

Your home will struggle to maintain a cool temperature as the cold air your AC produces escapes through leaky walls, windows, doors, and even the roof, adds Josh Mitchell, an HVAC technician and founder of Air Conditioner Lab.

“​​This situation increases your energy costs and can potentially shorten the lifespan of your AC unit,” Mitchell says. There is hope, however. Mitchell suggests considering upgrading your home’s insulation, focusing on the attic, external walls, doors, and windows. “Weatherstripping and sealing windows and doors can also prevent cool air from escaping,” he says. 

Dirty or Clogged Air Filters

This is one of those things that many first-time homeowners don’t think about — out of sight, out of mind. But having clogged air filters definitely affects how efficient your AC will work in your home. “Over time, your AC’s filters can become clogged with dust and debris, causing your unit to work harder, reducing efficiency and potentially wearing out system components prematurely,” Mitchell says. “This can be addressed by cleaning or replacing your filters regularly, typically every one to three months, depending on usage and the local environment.”

Inadequate AC Unit Size

In this case, size really does matter. If your AC unit isn’t properly sized for the size of your home, then it won’t be able to cool it efficiently, says Mitchell. “If it’s too small, it may run continuously, and if it’s too large, it might cool too quickly without effectively dehumidifying,” he says. “To rectify this, consult with an HVAC professional who can perform a load calculation to determine the appropriate size unit for your home.”

Blocked Vents or Ductwork

If your air vents are located on the floor, it’s easy to accidentally block them with furniture. Check to make sure there’s nothing obstructing airflow for these vents, as it will “greatly hamper the AC’s ability to cool your home effectively,” Mitchell says.

Another thing to consider: If your ductwork is heavily soiled or blocked — say, by critter nests — that could also affect airflow. “Consider hiring a professional to clean it. Regular maintenance can help prevent such blockages,” Mitchell says.

A Thermostat That’s Set Too Low

While this reason might not make sense at first glance, it really can be preventing your home from cooling off. Setting your thermostat too low really impacts the way your unit works for your living space, Mitchells says. The too-low temp makes your unit work harder and uses way more energy — hence the high electricity bill at the end of the month. So how do you make the temperature comfortable and just “low enough?”

“The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a setting of 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 degrees Celsius) when you’re at home during the summer months,” Mitchell says. If you’re not home and don’t have pets, consider setting it even higher than that — there’s little need to cool an empty space. 

Bare Windows

Direct sunlight is remarkably effective at raising the indoor temperature of your home, especially if your windows face south. Simply hanging thermal curtains that block out the sun during the day can make a big difference.

Up for a slightly bigger project? The U.S. Department of Energy says that installing awnings can decrease heat gain caused by the sun by 65 percent for south-facing windows and 77 percent for west-facing ones. 

An Outdated or Malfunctioning Unit

Much like anything in a home, the longer an air conditioner has been used, the less optimal the output. Your AC unit loses efficiency over time, which means it will have to work even harder to cool your space, resulting in higher energy costs and less comfort, says Mitchell. “Regular maintenance can help prolong your unit’s life, but eventually you’ll likely need to replace it with a newer, more efficient model,” he says. Your unit should be updated after 10 and 15 years of use.

Lack of Regular Maintenance

“Just like a car, AC units need regular tune-ups to operate efficiently,” Mitchell says. And Greg Donahue, product manager at Reliance Home Comfort, recommends having your AC unit serviced at least once a year. In fact, Donahue says, that step is actually required by most manufacturers in order to maintain their product warranty.

Simple maintenance tasks that should be performed more frequently include checking your air filters and your outdoor unit, says Mitchell. “Depending on the type of filter your AC unit uses and the air quality in your home, you may need to clean or replace your filters every one-to-three months,” he says. He adds that this helps maintain optimal airflow and efficiency and improves indoor air quality, too.

You should also regularly check your outdoor unit to ensure it’s free of debris like leaves or grass that could interfere with your system’s airflow. In the end, even if you have the best air conditioning unit money can buy, it will struggle to keep your home cool if you’re not giving it a little help along the way.

Keep reading on Apartment Therapy.

Related Links

• 8 Colors Interior Designers Say Their Clients Can’t Get Enough Of

• 4 Tips for Air Conditioning Care to Keep in Mind Over the Summer

• Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Search homes in Minnesota