Where do you install mini split? On the window?
On a wall. These are not window ACs. They are super quiet, too, compared to window boxes.
Forgot to mention that we also raised up the countertops (technically the base cabinets) in the master bath and kitchen so I can use them comfortably (I’m 6’1”) without all the bending over I have to do for “normal” height sinks. W is 5’4” but had hers raised to the same height as mine and also loves it. I forget exactly how much we raised them, but probably in the 4-6” range.
In the kitchen both perimeter and island are also raised, but the island is raised 2” higher. Very subtle difference and not noticeable unless you know it’s there. But for standard prep work I can use the island, and for times when I need to bring more pressure to bear when cutting/chopping/rolling, I use the lower perimeter counters. The cooktop is in the perimeter as well, so the lower height makes it easier to use tall pots on the back burners.
I’ve built two houses. In our smaller house 1700 sq ft (3 BR/2B) I loved having an over sized garage and plenty of attic space with easy pull down stair access. Total lifesaver in the storage department. The attic space was outfitted with plywood floor so it was easy to walk around. Fit two cars plus cabinetry down one side… We put an extra refrigerator in the garage.
We had a built in pantry cabinet (deep, lots of adjustable shelves, simple spice racks on the door) in the kitchen which I couldn’t have done without. If I did it again I’d install some pull out shelving to reach the back.
The kitchen was very small but was built as a square (open to small dining room on one side) with double level (bar seating) counters. I don’t ever remember lacking for room even with two cooks in it. No island.
We made the bedrooms a decent size and we had the closets made a bit deeper and run along a whole wall to get the storage. The master had a small walk-in closet which I really think affords more efficient storage room for the space.
The mud room (small room at garage entrance) was the laundry room. (used pocket door into living area for cleaner line).
Figure out where the AC units, electrical boxes are going–in my present house two of my closets were commandeered for AC and electrical (including internet, phone stuff, fuse boxes) and I’m still mad that I hadn’t realized that sooner.
Also “easy attic access” with a stair system is dependent on how high the ceiling is. I have a pull down ladder now but it’s much more of a pain since the ceiling is higher.
And I know everyone is moving away from carpet except maybe us. We have mainly tile and hardwood presently but the living room (not used much) and our bedroom are carpet–it’s so much nicer on the feet.
@gouf78 - you describe our “new” garage minus the fridge. Instead, it has a half bath and a tiny glass-lined electric water heater in it. 
Mr. swears that he will keep the attic clutter-free.
We also put carpet in the bedrooms upstairs. It was a non-negotiable for Mr.
We presently have built in dresser drawers in our closet–love those. Some built in book shelves–love that too.
If you have anything of size that you will take with you make sure you create the space for it–music equipment for example–a piano, keyboard or a big TV, a big couch.
And in the bathroom I’d look at handicap hardware being put in at construction. It’s looking really fancy these days and just blends into the decor. Consider some of the design they have now like a shower with no lip etc. Some of it requires extra room but not all of it.
You wouldn’t even know our mini split was running it’s so quiet.
I think that building a vacation home is very different than building your everyday house.
I’m all for downsizing my everyday house, I don’t need all that space. But if I had the means, my vacation house would be able to sleep more and built more for entertaining. A house in the mountains is different than a condo at the beach.
And a vacation home would be built for resale and/or rentability. Because if you are building a vacation house for resale, potential buyers want a place that is easily rented.
We have a fireplace insert by Jotul. For those not familiar, the “wood stove” unit goes in the fireplace, has a fan, and is capable of heating the house.
https://jotul.com/us/products/wood-fireplace-inserts
It’s one of the best purchases we have ever made – the living room is so cozy in the winter. We get a lot of joy out of that thing.
Our 1924 home also has a clothes chute on both floors. One door in the main bathroom on the second floor, another door in the mud room off the kitchen on the first floor. LOVE it. Not sure how many new homes include this feature.
But if you want to live in a house 6 months a year is that your vacation home or the other way around? I’d rent some other vacation spot if I wasn’t planning on making it my home in some way. That would let me go to other vacation spots without the hassle of ownership. It ain’t cheap to build.
I was recently in an AirBNB that had mini-split units. It was a small house so they didn’t put units in every room. For the upstairs (600 sq ft?), they only had 1 unit and it really didn’t do the job. It worked OK for cooling down 2 of the bedrooms that were opposite the unit, but a third bedroom was to the side and the air never seemed to get into that room; it was stifling hot. Also, I was in a 4th bedroom that had its own unit, and didn’t like how it blew cold air on me. Obviously it could be where the bed was placed in the room, but I still feel like it cooled differently than central AC (more concentrated and higher fan speed, like a window unit but significantly quieter). This could all just be due to a poor installation job, but just sharing my experiences.
I just had my HVAC system services and the tech said he’s building a new house with a hot water radiator system so he can run coils under his driveway so he doesn’t have to shovel!
What would be the incentive to put mini-splits into a newly constructed house over central A/C? I’ve always thought of them as a solution to retrofit A/C into an already existing house.
I’d never go for a bath without a bathtub. The idea of a steam shower wouldn’t thrill me either. Though a large shower would be fine. I’d add heated floors ( depends on where you live but radiant heat is great). Pella windows and sliding doors with huge glass panels ( not the 1970s style). For me, an open layout. Has to have a kitchen/family room. Has to have high ceilings and be light filled. No views of neighbors. Also, only hardwood floors. No bedroom carpeting. No carpeting at all. anywhere. Big organized pantry off the kitchen with room for bowls, food and paper towels. A two car attached garage. Has to have a working wood fireplace (no gas), Viessman heater ( gas and/or oil). Good closet space. NO dining room but a large table in the family/kitchen area. Kitchen has to be spacious and well designed. I like having a cook top in the island. I like having a sink in the island. We cook a lot. I dislike having a stove top that is against a wall. No foyer. Yes to a well designed mudroom off the garage. First floor laundry room. Also, a simple decor. I would not buy a house with weird customized tile, grey kitchen cabinets ( a recent thing) or very personalized things which are not my taste. Keeping the design simple and classic would be my choice. Painting is one thing, but taking out a kitchen or bath isn’t easy.
Lots of new construction built here with minisplits. LEED Green.
wider driveway so the concrete pad is wider than the garage door. So if you don’t park in the garage, when you get out the car, you place your foot on concrete and not on your landscaping.
I think the mini-splits are kind of ugly, IMO. I’d have to think pretty hard about using those for a whole house that would require multiple heads. It’s more expensive, too, I think.
They are more energy efficient though.
I’m not sure they work well for heat in places where it gets really cold, since they are essentially heat pumps.
Yes, they are heat pumps, so work great in my neck of the woods. And I agree that they are not decorative at all! We (unsuccessfully) bid on a builder’s own house with minisplits hidden in the attic so the air was coming out of what looked like a round register in the ceiling. Very cool.
Lol. The internet is buzzing with talk about how to hide these ugly contraptions.
Amazon has some cool spice configurations things. I also ended up using a drawer.
Friends have a mini split that is mounted near the top of a cathedral ceiling in their family room. You never notice it…at all.
We have thought of this…and if we do it, it will go above the windows in our family room on the first floor, and another in the cathedral ceiling in our bedroom.
And for us…it would be a LOT less costly than central air ducting. We have hot water baseboard heat.