Things that help
- Keep shrubs, fences and stored items well back from all sides
- Clear leaves, grass clippings and cottonwood from the top and sides
- Point dryer vents and lawn mower discharge away from it
- Check that it sits level on its pad
- Keep the refrigerant line insulation intact where it enters the house
Why airflow matters
The outdoor unit sheds the heat taken out of the house. Its fan pulls air through the coil on the sides and pushes it out the top. When plants, debris or a dirty coil block that air, the unit runs hotter and harder, cools less and wears faster.
Things to leave alone
Opening the service panels, straightening coil fins, spraying electrical parts or adding refrigerant are all technician work. If the coil itself looks packed with dirt, cleaning it properly is part of a tune-up.
Winter
A heat pump runs all year and must not be covered. For a cooling-only unit, a cover over the top can keep debris out, but wrapping it tightly can trap moisture and invite pests.