Hi, I like the efficiency of ductless mini-splits, but they sure do ruin the interior look of a rustic cabin. Any ideas/tips on concealing the mini-splits inside timbers or cabinets? They all seem to be designed for the modern looking home.....and why are they only available in white! I want mine out of sight, or at least to blend in a little better. Any ideas out there?

Do you have existing Ducts?

No. New construction. Architect working on drawings. Timber frame construction.

I agree with you. But then I think of the ugly hot water baseboards, square hot air heat holes in the floor that get in the way of furniture placement and carpeting, the oil smell in my basement, the time an oil line was accedentally cut in a client's basement, and the several homes in the area that have blown up from propane explosions, and it starts to look a lot better.

you can buy ducted units that you can hide out of sight; they are more expensive. Or you can install it and realize that in two weeks you'll hardly notice it any more.

Or you can build to Passive House levels and use a small heater inside your HRV ductwork.

Need full description of new build ....

This is the one of the problems with mini split systems .... ugly air handlers hanging on your wall, refrigerant lines running all throughout your home which is a Major problem when they start to leak. Not to mention having multiple air handlers just compound the maintenance issues when they arise. They where original marketed and sold in third world county's where homes are very very small, now they are marketed and sold in developed nations where homes typically are larger and require more air handlers. Some architects think they are applicable in ever situation, which they are Not. If the home is to be a large one, you might want to consider a common variable speed zoned ducted air handler as they can be just as efficient if not better, and lower maintenance.

I can verify they work great in homes up to 3000 SF; how big are you talking about and why do you think they'll not work?

Sure they will work ..... How many air handlers are in a typical 3000 SF American home?

Are the mini's concealed and ducted? If they are concealed and ducted how far can you run a duct with such a low output mini blowers?

First, I'm not talking about "typical" homes; I'm talking about High Performance which, when you consider the mechanicals are close the same cost as "typical".
We're looking at 3-4 wall units in 3000 SF, depending on room layout.
the key is that in a superinsulated home, the temps remain constant throughout the house, with virtually no cold spots or rooms, so ducting is unnecessary.

Super insulated is assumed... How do you deal with media room, kitchen and bathrooms heat in the summer months? What if you want privacy and you shut a door how will that affect the comfort level?

I have seen post here that never take into consideration appliances which generate heat and closing of doors and they think 2 or 3 wall units will maintain constant temps throughout the home. What they will find is they where ill advised.

I haven't seen much difference in shutting doors, but builders who've measured it report about a 2-3o difference. As far as removing heat, these units cool also, so I can't imagine that would be a proiblem. I noticed the consistent temperatures in the SIPS homes I built 30 years ago; these new homes are tighter and better insulated so they work even better. the consistency is directly related to air tightness and all the rest, so it needs to be done to a high quality.

but they sure do ruin the interior look of a rustic cabin.

If you go to the website Houzz and do a search on ductless minisplits you will get a number of images in which people have very cleverly concealed the indoor units. Some manufacturers also have cassettes designed to be embedded in the ceiling so all that is seen is a grill.

refrigerant lines running all throughout your home which is a Major problem when they start to leak.

Refrigerant lines can be run in the ceiling or even in dedicated chases in which they are accessible for inspection or easy replacement. I'm sure it happens, but I know an increasing number of people who use ductless minis and none of them have ever experienced a leak. I doubt very much that it is inevitable as you have implied.

I can verify they work great in homes up to 3000 SF; how big are you talking about and why do you think they'll not work?

Exactly. I have more than 6,000 sf and have heated entirely with ductless minis. In fact, we only ever ran 3 out of the 4 units during the winter in a home that was under construction with openings to the weather.

they think 2 or 3 wall units will maintain constant temps throughout the home

Yup. I know people who retrofitted old farmhouses with 2 heads. They didn't even put any upstairs, just one at the foot of the stairs and one in the common area. What's even better is they also got air conditioning out of the deal where they never had it before.

Your acceptance of these poor design standards are unacceptable with true quality professionals. Maybe some folks here might accept them, but not quality professionals.

Maybe some folks here might accept them, but not quality professionals.

My home was designed by an award-winning architect and the heating and cooling by one of the world's premier green engineering groups. Most of the things you have said so far indicate that you are substantially unversed in newer, more efficient building methods.

Post some pics, we all would like to see how it was laid out...

It was laid out with a grade laser.  You can see it in the first image. The layout is in the second image.

.

No no, we want to see the HVAC layout ......

No no, we want to see the HVAC layout ......

Who's this "we" you keep referring to? I've been here for years along with a lot of other regulars. You are a recent arrival of a few weeks who has spurned normal protocol and friendly suggestions to brush up on a few bits of past history before making obnoxious posts.