If you’re lucky enough to have usable outdoor space around your NYC residence, you’ll certainly want to make the most of its curb appeal. Whether you’re dining alfresco, playing outside with the kids, or hosting an outdoor cocktail party, who wants to be staring at an ugly outside air conditioner?While that outside air conditioner is essential to your indoor comfort, air conditioner manufacturers have yet to come out with a unit that’s particularly attractive looking. So that leaves it up to you to come up with a way to camouflage it in your outdoor space.Luckily, lots of creative people out there have dreamed up some ingenious ways to hide an outside air conditioner. Here are some of our favorites.Using lattice to create a screen around your outside air conditioner works well, since the holes prevent the hot air blowing out of the unit from becoming trapped. When air flow to the unit is impeded, your outside air conditioner can overheat. Dress it up with some fancy post caps and greenery.

Beautiful pottery with tall grasses, flowers or other greens are a lovely way to hide that outside air conditioner. Be sure to choose hardy plants that won’t be wilted by the hot air blowing from the unit. best home ac units 2013And keep them far enough away so there’s enough room to service the equipment.ac unit red lightWhy not paint an old shipping pallet to match your color scheme, and dress it up with some solar lights and hanging plants?cover for window ac unitIf you’re not really a DIYer, you can purchase a privacy screen made out outdoor-friendly resin. They are available in different colors to match your patio decor.This lovely shabby-chic mosaic screen is made from bits of broken plates, mirror and stained glass, framed by fence posts.Since this will be exposed to the outdoor elements, make sure the grout is sealed.

Also, make sure it’s moveable so your HVAC technician can get at your outside air conditioner when it’s time for service.This one reminds us of a stack of blocks like Jenga or Lincoln logs! You can stain it to match your outdoor furniture. Again, the holes are a great idea since they allow heat to escape.How about an iron trellis surrounded by flowering trees or vines? This look works well if your brownstone has a brick exterior. If you like to spend time outdoors in the morning, we recommend planting morning glories in shades of heavenly blue, purple or white.Here’s another shabby chic idea: paint a set of old shutters to match your flowers or outdoor fabrics. (Also serves as a perfect cat perch.)These are two examples of different ways to create a vertical garden to hide that outside air conditioner. Remember, make sure it’s far enough away from the unit to allow for service.Related article: Air Conditioning Maintenance Doesn’t Cost, It Pays.This idea kills two birds with one stone (not literally!).

You can store small garden tools and hide your outside air conditioner with this quaint garden structure. Just make sure it’s designed to allow enough air flow to your unit.If you love Asian decor, try this simple bamboo screen. You could even try growing your own bamboo plants, but that takes a bit more time.12. Laser cut wood panelsThese laser cut wood veneer panels from Lightwave Laser come in a wide variety of patterns to match any decor. Make sure you have them sealed for outdoor use.If you love modern art, this is the idea for you. Sculpted metal panels conceal the outside air conditioner while serving as a piece of art for you and your visitors to enjoy.We’ll refrain from using the “killing two birds” metaphor here for obvious reasons, but you can use this idea to conceal your outdoor air conditioner and attract some lovely aviary creatures to your outdoor space. (Just don’t pick this one if you have cats.)Combine the tall grasses idea with an ornamental windmill to create a conversation piece for your outdoor space.

Nobody will ever suspect that you did it to hide your outside air conditioner!Don’t block the air flow.If your outside air conditioner doesn’t have access to enough air, it can overheat and break down.Make sure the equipment is accessible for serviceLeave enough space around the outside air conditioner, and/or make your screen easily moveable. If you’re putting plants in the ground, you don’t want them stepped on!And you don’t want to neglect servicing your outside air conditioner; it’s not worth the risk.Related article: Top 6 Air Conditioner Improvements NYC Homeowners Want.If that outside air conditioner is not as effective as it used to be, it may be time to think about a new one. And if you do need a new one, replace it first before designing a way to conceal it, since your new unit may not be the same size.Maybe you’ve been putting off shopping for a new air conditioner because it’s just too overwhelming to pour over all the options and make a decision. Well, now you’re in luck, because we’ve put together a handy guide to help you understand the air conditioning options for New York City residential spaces, and how to choose to right one for you.

Grab a copy: The Ultimate Guide to Air Conditioning for NYC Luxury Residential Spaces.Broken-down dishwashers, refrigerators and water heaters—oh my! As in, “Oh my, how these ‘little surprises’ can wipe out your checking account!” All it takes is one unexpected breakdown to run up hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars. And if two or more things break down at the same time? That’s why you should evaluate the pros and cons of a home-warranty purchase before problems arise. (If you wait until something breaks, it’s too late. More about that later...) What does a home warranty cover? Home warranty policies vary, but in general, most cover major appliances, as well as heating/cooling, plumbing and electrical systems. This can include ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, garbage disposals, microwaves, washer/dryers, indoor pipes, faucets, electrical panels, wiring, furnaces, AC/heating units and ductwork. The typical price of a home warranty policy is about $250 to $500 a year, plus you’ll be required to pay a deductible fee per service incident of about $50 to $100.

Annual fees can increase to $800 to $1,200 a year if you get a “Cadillac” plan that covers a lot of specialized items such as swimming pools, hot tubs, garage door openers, ceiling fans—and even your doorbell. You may be tempted to get a cheap, bare-bones plan, but you risk paying for it later in terms of uncovered repairs/replacements. “The extra $25 to $50 you save by going with a less expensive company can cost you several thousands of dollars,” says Daniel Montez, team leader of the Daniel Montez Real Estate Group in Gilbert, Ariz. Knowing you’re covered by a warranty can help you when you find yourself in a sticky situation. “Imagine if you just moved in, and suddenly your air conditioning goes out on a hot summer day,” says Lisa Treu, founder of Delray Beach, Fla.-based Treu Group Real Estate. “You make one call and either they’ll fix it or replace it. This makes what could be a bad day all that much better.” Ultimately, you’re paying for peace of mind, and kicking in some extra bucks upfront will seem like a bargain when you’re in a jam.

“I’ve found it only takes one repair to cover the annual fee,” Treu says. “It provides substantial relief in case of big-ticket surprises.” Three reasons you should you get a home warranty To decide whether a home warranty policy is right for you, consider these essential qualifiers: 1. You’re strapped for time and cash. The perfect candidate would be an educator who’s too busy with classroom work, after-school activities and/or family responsibilities to deal with every single household item that breaks down. Saving money every pay period is enough of a challenge: You certainly can’t afford to take a financial hit when a big-ticket item—like a water heater, refrigerator or HVAC system—breaks down.“With a warranty plan, you get a single contact for repairs so you don’t have to make a lot of calls. You won’t need to spend a lot of time online researching for a good repair company, either.” 2. Your appliances and other items are old. To factor the age and projected lifetime of your household systems, conduct an inventory of all eligible items.

Identify the brand, model number, estimated age and any print and/or online material you can find in order to estimate how long each is projected to last. You also may want to keep a photo of each item in its current condition. Then, create a calendar so you can realistically predict what may break down and when—and how much you’d have to pay to replace it. “With this information, you’ll be in better position to determine the value of a home warranty,” says John Bodrozic, co-founder of HomeZada, a website where homeowners can input this kind of data. “Even if you end up not buying a home warranty, it’s good to know about this for the purposes of homeowner’s insurance and the resale.” 3. You’re planning to sell your home. A home warranty adds value, thus increasing your ability to find a buyer. Also, you’ll get coverage for the entire time your home is listed. “Depending on how long this takes, it can amount to 18 months of coverage for 12 months’ worth of cost,” says Damian Gerard, a Realtor and team lead for St. Louis-based Gerard Realty Group.

“It’s obviously a good deal, which is why we encourage sellers to purchase this.” Two reasons you shouldn’t get a home warranty If you can identify with at least one of these scenarios, then you probably should avoid getting a home warranty: 1. You want to use your favorite repairman. If you have a go-to handyman or repair company, you may not want to get a home warranty. The warranty company typically determines which service provider will come to your home. Local service companies contract with the warranty company, and you’ll be told which contractor will provide the repair or replacement. 2. You want to fix stuff that’s already broken. If you were hoping to cover a long list of items that have been on the fritz for a while, you’ll be disappointed. Home warranties operate like health care: “Pre-existing conditions,” as in items that are in existing disrepair, are not included. Warranty companies typically don’t require inspections before issuing a policy.

However, items and systems must be in good working order to qualify. Don’t test your luck: If a technician is called for a repair and concludes that the problem predates the coverage, then the warranty company won’t pay. “This includes items that came up during a (pre-closing) inspection but were not addressed beforehand,” Gerard says. “Carriers will request those reports before deciding whether to make repairs. And there are some out there who will do anything possible to avoid paying claims. Overall, however, a general rule of thumb is, the older the household systems, the smarter the policy.” If you decide to get a home warranty Make sure you thoroughly read the terms of the agreement. Not all policies are created equal. Typically, you’re best served by one that comes with a “repair or replace” policy, meaning that if a system or appliance can’t be repaired, they automatically replace it. You’ll want to avoid policies with an “obsolete parts” clause.