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How to Disguise Your HVAC Unit in Style

Author: Don Viviano

Last updated: July 16, 2026

hvac units

Outdated HVAC system? We know that not all systems can look as good or be as unstoppable as a Trane, so it may make sense to cleverly disguise your existing unit until you can purchase a new one.

Trane.com offers smart ideas on their website on ways to hide your HVAC unit until a new one is on the way! Keep in mind, when using a wall or decorative border to hide your system, it’s important to make sure they are placed far enough away from your unit. You never want to compromise the airflow and efficiency of your system.

Faux planting

Did you know they make faux ivy leaf netting that actually looks like a tall hedge? You don’t even have to hone your landscaping skills to have a professional disguise for your HVAC unit! It’s easy to clean and maintain. All that’s needed is an occasional spray with the garden hose. It attaches to a fence for ease!

Get shady

Shade will help your unit perform better, so landscaping around the unit is a nice touch aesthetically as well as for functionality. When there’s shade, the A/C unit will run at a lower temperature and won’t have to work as hard to cool your home this summer. Look for plants that don’t lose their leaves during the cold winter months. Plants like hedges work well and can be trimmed to your liking.

Another option? Build a lattice around your HVAC unit and pick climbing plants for the area. This is a relatively simple and attractive option! Just be sure to keep things trimmed and tidy around the unit so airflow isn’t compromised.

Wicker screens work

Surrounding your HVAC unit with a decorative screen works great! Target, among other traditional retailers, offers free-standing, decorative screens in different styles that can be used to conceal your HVAC unit. A more traditional option, it offers the sturdiness of steel or resin, powder-coated to resist rust and mildew. What many homeowners love is its flexibility! The screens can be arranged in different ways to fit your area and your needs. Screens come in various heights, too.

Some retailers offer pre-assembled panels that typically come in cedar, but can be painted to reflect your personal style. When sold as individual panels, you can create as many as you need to hide the outdoor unit.

Green thumb tip

CritterGuard has a garden fence that can be used by gardeners wanting to keep deer, rabbits, and others away from their gardens. It offers a great design for homeowners who also want to hide their HVAC system from the neighbors. Transfer your gardening green thumb over to your HVAC project, disguising the unit while also planting flowering vines around it.

If you’re not sure how to conceal your HVAC unit, give one of the experts at Viviano HVAC a call. It may even be time to replace that old, outdated unit with a brand-new shiny one! We provide heating and cooling services for all types of systems in Collinsville, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Troy, Alton, and beyond. Let us help you and your family stay cool and comfortable all summer long! Call us today at 618-345-7498 so we can help you find a reliable, cost-effective solution for all of your HVAC needs.

Don Viviano

Don Viviano is the founder and CEO of Viviano Home Services. Since starting the family-owned company with his wife, Cindy, in 1989, Don has helped homeowners throughout the Metro East make informed decisions about their heating, cooling, and indoor comfort needs. With decades of hands-on HVAC experience, he remains committed to honest service, quality workmanship, and treating every customer like a neighbor.

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