How to Camouflage a Mini Split Unit | 5 Easy Steps to Follow

Camouflaging the mini split units is usually an excellent option to give them a touch of outstanding elegance and better logistics for maintenance. To achieve this, you must choose where you will place it and the suitable materials and colors based on the steps you will see in the following lines. This is a growing trend since split air conditioners represent a significant saving between 30 and 40% of electricity bills. Let’s learn how to camouflage a mini split unit.

They also represent a compact and economical option when it comes to maintenance. However, many must learn how to camouflage this air conditioning system correctly.

Therefore, we will review from home affluence all aspects you must consider to have a compact and practical design. Likewise, use this procedure thinking about the logistics of maintaining and preserving the durability and performance of your air Mini Split unit.

What you Need to Camouflage a Mini Split

Needs vary. However, let’s consider all the options Home Affluence recommends to camouflage your mini split successfully. It would be best if you had this:

Installation location: You must first decide where to install your mini split. Think well about this place, and remember that the less piping you use, the better the performance of your mini-split will be. Experts say these units avoid air loss (20-30%) caused by duct air systems. That is why you must have your strategic location in the first place.

Camouflaging materials: Some people use wooden furniture, metal grilles, and drywall to place them on the ceiling.

Essential tools: From a hammer, pliers, Teflon, screws, and screwdrivers. From stucco or any other material for professional finishes.

Materials to cover pipes and wiring: You can have wood or plastic gaskets to cover the installation and even opt for doors or boxes to camouflage the structure. It all depends on what you need. However, let’s consider this step-by-step process to camouflage a mini split unit properly.

How to Camouflage a Mini Split Unit (Follow These 5 Steps)

Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to achieve this and give your home or office an elegant touch:

• Select your color(s) and base coat
• Add darker shades to the crevices and corners
• Outline the shape of your object with broad strokes
• Highlight the top and bottom edges of your object
• Add the final touches to blend in your camo job

Step 1: Select your color(s) and base coat

The first thing you should do is that the materials that will camouflage your mini split unit are the same color as the room or area where you will install it.

To do this, you must select your colors and base coat and thus give uniformity to your spaces. The choice of colors significantly impacts the decoration of your spaces. Also, the base coat has to do with the cost-effectiveness and durability of the camouflage. It is essential to have more information about the types of materials and their quality.

Step 2: Add darker shades to the crevices and corners

The idea is to have a uniform color distinct from your decor. Many recommend using special paints for the mini split unit’s metal parts and giving the corners a darker shade. 

This is when your mini split unit is near a corner to further camouflage your air conditioning system.

Step 3: Outline the shape of your object with broad strokes

You can use broad strokes of wood or plaster to cover your mini-split unit. However, you must keep in mind that you must remember that your unit will need maintenance at least every 3-6 months.

Therefore, when considering these traces that help camouflage your split unit, you must assume that it may get wet during maintenance. Thus, the installation should be practical and innovative.

Step 4: Highlight the top and bottom edges of your object

The idea of highlighting these parts of your split unit is because you will need them to match the paint on the walls. The idea is to reach these colors so that no one will notice that the unit is there. 

The human eye can miss objects if we use these camouflage techniques. In addition, it will give harmony to your spaces.

Step 5: Add the final touches to blend in your camo job

As we have said before, the final finishes are essential for the work to be impeccable. For this, it is crucial to consider using adhesive tape, silicone, Teflon, wood or plastic gaskets, and anything else you think to give it the final touches.

You can also finish decorating using stones, sticks, plants, and other objects that suit your environment. Camouflaging a mini split unit can be a complex process, but at the same time, very rewarding. Seeing your spaces decorated with a perfect temperature is integral to our comfort.

However, remember that color selection and consideration of the maintenance process play a vital role in this process.

When is Camouflaging a Mini Split worth your time?

Camouflaging a mini split offers many advantages. The first is that you can preserve the aesthetic appearance of your home. Also, you can save time when you camouflage your mini split if you do the installation with preventive maintenance in mind.

If you hide your outdoor unit from the impact of the sun, its performance improves by 10% of the normal average. In other words, you not only save time, but you can also save money.

It is also imperative to camouflage a mini split when you have no space in your house. That is, there is no specific space to install it. Therefore, many people use these camouflaging techniques and, thus, save space and gain elegance.

Nothing is more harmonious than nice decoration and a pleasant temperature in your home or office. But you must remember that camouflaging your mini split should be smart because if you cover it with wood, it could get all wet during maintenance.

Expert Opinion

Camouflaging a mini split unit can be a great option if you consider all the steps described above. It would help if you considered all aspects of unit maintenance and interior decoration details.

It is recommended to maintain your split units every six months. That is why you should wisely select where to install your air conditioner and consider the maintenance process to avoid damaging the camouflage work. 

It is also important to keep your outdoor air conditioning unit away from the sun’s reach to improve its performance over time. 

The selection of materials is also crucial because it could affect the performance of the main turbine. That is why we recommend the steps we saw above and thus ensure ideal temperatures and durability of your air conditioner.

Sources:

• Inc, A. (2018, August 13). How to hide a ductless mini split. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://actionac.net/2018/08/13/how-to-hide-ductless-mini-split/ 
• Inc, C. (2022, January 20). How to hide air conditioner unit outside: Maintaining home aesthetics with your air conditioning. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://cielowigle.com/blog/how-to-hide-air-conditioner-unit-outside/ 
• Morrison, D. (2019, December 20). 9 ways to hide a mini-split. Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://www.protradecraft.com/photos/9-ways-hide-minisplit 
• Wattson Jul 18, P., & Wattson. (2022, July 18). How to camouflage a mini-split unit. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
• What is a mini-split? Pros and cons explained. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://carbonswitch.com/what-is-a-mini-split/#Benefits-of-mini-splits 
• Williams, C. (2021, June 02). How to use glaze on furniture? Retrieved November 2, 2022, from https://nottooshabbybycharlotte.co.uk/blogs/furniture-paintingtutorials/how-do-i-use-glaze