When an outdoor system starts to vibrate, make unusual noises, or lose performance, it's never "just a minor issue." In Brossard, our AirGreen team intervened to repair a Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pump installed on the front of a house, mounted on wall brackets , above a wooden patio , and near a fence . A very common residential situation in Greater Montreal… and one that can directly affect its operation.
Type of machine and context observed on site
From the photo, it is clearly a wall-mounted heat pump (mini-split) : a compact outdoor unit, fixed to the wall, designed to power one or more indoor wall-mounted units.
Regarding the installation, several important visual details:
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Fujitsu outdoor unit fixed to the wall on brackets , above the patio (good practice to limit snow accumulation and facilitate drainage during defrosting).
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Proximity to a wooden fence : if the clearances are not sufficient, the expelled air can recirculate and reduce efficiency (and sometimes accentuate frost in winter).
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Brick wall + rainwater downpipe : we always check that the water (rain/defrost) does not flow towards the unit and that the environment remains “breathable”.
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Relatively tight access : patio + fence = technical access to be planned, and more crucial maintenance (leaves, dust, pollen, etc.).
Fujitsu model chosen (consistent and realistic)
The exact model is not visible in this photo. To remain consistent with the Fujitsu range used in residential applications in our market, we are presenting here a service on a Fujitsu Orion XLTH (R-32) , a very logical choice for high-performance heating in Quebec's climate.
Symptoms reported by the customer
The client contacted us about two problems that appeared gradually:
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Abnormal noise/vibration at start-up and during sustained cycles.
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Less stable heating (temperature that varies, sensation of "pushes" of hot air inside rather than constant comfort).
This combination (noise + uneven performance) often points to a mechanical issue (ventilation/fasteners) and/or degraded heat exchange (clogged coil, air recirculation, insufficient clearances).
AirGreen Diagnostic: our on-site approach
With a Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pump, you don't "guess" it: you confirm it.
Here are the checks we carried out on site:
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Complete visual inspection : condition of the cabinet, coil fins, grid, signs of friction, vibration points, stability of wall supports.
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Control of clearances : distance from the fence and air intake/exhaust zones.
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Functional test : start-up, ramp-up, listening for harmonics (metallic vibration vs structural vibration), observation of cycles.
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Technical measurements :
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air temperatures (inlet/outlet),
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electrical intensity and power supply stability,
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reading parameters/errors (when accessible),
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check of the heat exchanger (level of fouling, partial obstruction).
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What we found
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Vibrations amplified by the mounting : the wall brackets were functional, but slightly "transmissive" (minor play + rigidity on the wall). Result: more noticeable noise, especially at startup and high RPM.
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Less efficient heat exchange : the outdoor coil was full of dust/pollen (common near patios and fences), which reduces heat transfer and forces the machine to work harder… resulting in more noise, more cycles, and less consistent comfort.
Repair completed (clear, clean, durable)
We carried out a complete overhaul, targeting the real cause of the symptoms:
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Professional cleaning of the outdoor unit
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Controlled cleaning of the coil (fins) to restore airflow and heat exchange.
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Clearing of critical areas (grille and air passages), without damaging the fins.
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Mechanical stabilization / vibration reduction
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Resumption of the leveling process and tightening of the anchors.
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Adding/optimizing anti-vibration elements at relevant points (the objective: to break the structural transmission to the wall and the patio).
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Fan check: no friction, stable rotation, no "loose" parts rattling under load.
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Final verification and testing
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Heating cycle: stability, reduced noise, more regular temperature rise.
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Monitoring of unit temperatures and behavior after stabilization.
Result: restored comfort and quieter operation
After the procedure:
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The noise at startup has been significantly reduced (less resonance in the structure).
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The heat pump has regained a more stable performance , with more constant heating.
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The customer noticed one concrete change in particular: fewer variations , therefore a feeling of “continuous” comfort, and a renewed confidence in the machine.
What we recommend to prevent it from happening again
In configurations like this (unit on wall brackets, patio, nearby fence), we recommend:
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Regular maintenance of the outdoor coil (at least once a year).
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Ensure that the clearances around the unit remain sufficient (do not place containers, furniture, plants, etc. right next to it).
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Watch for early signs: new noise, more frequent cycles, irregular performance.
At AirGreen, the goal is "repair that lasts": not just to make a symptom disappear, but to put the system back in optimal conditions for the climate of Greater Montreal.