Installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 electric furnace in Laval, Quebec: vertical configuration with Air Care Cube filtration

In Laval, a central installation where accessibility, filtration, and drainage were considered from the outset

This MIDEA EVOX G3 electric furnace installation in Laval clearly shows what distinguishes equipment replacement from true HVAC integration. The equipment is not located in a large mechanical room where each component can be placed without constraints. It is installed in a narrow residential space, immediately next to a passageway, with very little side clearance. Each connection therefore had to be positioned to preserve access to the panels and allow for future maintenance.

The job-site photograph provides us with several particularly interesting details. The unit MIDEA EVOX G3 is installed vertically. An “Air Flow” label with an upward-pointing arrow confirms an upflow configuration. The refrigerant lines enter from the left side, run down along the cabinet, and then connect to the coil. At the base of the unit, we installed an Air Care Cube filtration module, while the condensate drain is arranged in front of the unit with a transparent trap and access points intended for cleaning.

These are precisely the elements we examine when carrying out an HVAC installation in Laval, Montreal, Longueuil, on the North Shore or the South Shore : not only how the equipment will operate today, but how it can be adjusted, maintained, and repaired several years from now.

An “electric furnace” that is actually a much more comprehensive central platform

In everyday language in Quebec, we often refer to a MIDEA EVOX G3 electric furnaceTechnically, the component visible in the photo is a modular central air handler designed to work with a heat pump and, depending on the configuration, to accommodate an auxiliary electric heating kit.

This distinction is important.

An older electric furnace could essentially operate with resistive elements and a fan. With a platform like theEVOX G3, the primary heating may instead come from a variable-speed central heat pump, while the electric elements take over or add capacity when conditions require it.

MIDEA also presents the EVOX G3 as a range of ducted central systems that can be configured in several capacities, from 18,000 to 54,000 BTU/h, with performance reaching up to 19 SEER2, 12.5 EER2, 10.8 HSPF2, and a COP of 2.14 at 5°F, depending on the combination.

The technical table on page 11 of the documentation lists, among others, combinations of 18,000, 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, 48,000, and 54,000 BTU/h.

In this particular photo of our installation at Laval, but the complete model number is not legible enough to honestly confirm the unit’s tonnage. We therefore do not invent it. To establish the exact performance of a central system, the complete numbers of the indoor and outdoor units and their certified combination must be used.

The upflow configuration is clearly visible

A particularly useful feature of this photo is the handwritten indication “Air Flow” with an arrow pointing upward.

We therefore have an installation here upflow, or upflow.

In this configuration, return air enters the lower part of the system, passes through the filtration, then moves through the air-treatment components and is finally distributed to the duct network located above.

This orientation is very well suited to many residential installations where the return air is located at the lower level of the cabinet and the supply ducts run toward the ceiling and the various rooms.

The EVOX G3 is particularly interesting in this regard because MIDEA does not limit its unit to this single orientation. The modular design allows six configurations, including upflow, downflow, right horizontal, left horizontal, and compact low-boy.

In an existing property in Laval, this adaptability can avoid major modifications to the ductwork.

A modular design that simplifies access to difficult spaces

In the photograph, the separation between the two main sections of the EVOX G3 is clearly visible.

This detail matches the design Block N Lock from MIDEA. The manufacturer developed the unit so that the modules can be separated and reconfigured more easily when the equipment has to be moved through a staircase, basement, attic, or difficult-to-access mechanical room.

The manufacturer’s documentation specifically emphasizes that the design is intended to make the unit easier to move through difficult spaces and simplify changes in orientation.

On a residential job site, this advantage is tangible. It is much easier to transport two separate sections than a huge assembled central cabinet, especially in homes where stairs, doors, and corridors were never designed to accommodate the dimensions of today’s HVAC equipment.

An Air Care Cube module clearly integrated beneath the unit

One of the most interesting details of this MIDEA electric furnace in Laval is located immediately below the unit.

We can see a cabinet identified AIR CARE CUBE. Its label indicates a physical filter size of 16 in × 20 in, with a design that can accommodate different filtration thicknesses depending on the configuration.

This module plays a very important role in the system.

A properly sized filter should retain particles while avoiding excessive pressure loss. Excessive restriction can reduce airflow, increase the workload required of the fan, and affect the efficiency of the heat pump or heating system.

EVOX G3 documentation specifically indicates compatibility with filters measuring 1, 2, and 4 inches, including MERV 13 solutions adapted to the filtration module. MIDEA indicates that this filtration can help capture more dust, pollen, particles, and pet hair or dander while helping keep the coil cleaner.

Why we do not simply recommend “the highest MERV rating”

A more restrictive filter is not automatically the best choice.

We instead examine:

• the physical filter dimensions;
• its filter area;
• its thickness;
• its MERV rating;
• the airflow required by the unit;
• the system’s static pressure;
• the return-air capacity;
• the occupants’ actual needs.

The goal is to achieve a consistent compromise between air quality, airflow, sound level, and efficiency.

The transparent drain: a small detail that makes maintenance much easier

The drainage system is particularly easy to see in this photo.

A white pipe exits the unit and connects to a transparent condensate trap equipped with a red top access point. A small cleaning brush attached to the device can also be seen.

For us, this component is far from insignificant.

In cooling mode, the indoor coil becomes cold and removes moisture from the air. This moisture turns into condensate and must be drained properly.

With an accessible and visible trap, it becomes much simpler to:

• check whether the water is draining;
• see any possible buildup of deposits;
• clean the drain;
• access the trap without disassembling the furnace;
• perform a preventive HVAC maintenance.

A clogged condensate drain is one of those problems that may seem minor until water starts to overflow.

Placing the drain in front of the unit and maintaining clear service access therefore makes future work much easier.

Refrigerant lines installed without blocking the panels

We can also clearly see the route of the refrigerant lines.

The small copper pipe remains exposed, while the larger-diameter pipe is covered with insulation. Both run along the side of the cabinet before joining the indoor unit connections.

This positioning addresses two different needs.

The first is obviously refrigeration-related: the insulated pipe must retain its thermal properties and prevent unwanted condensation.

The second is related to maintenance.

We always try to prevent pipes, cables, and drains from unnecessarily crossing panels that will need to be opened later.

On this installation of Laval, the front of the unit remains accessible for technical service. This choice does not appear on a SEER2 rating sheet, but it can significantly reduce the time required to diagnose problems in the future.

R-454B and A2L: a new generation of central equipment

The plate located at the top of the unit clearly displays the pictogram A2L.

The EVOX G3 line uses R-454B refrigerant. MIDEA states that it chose this refrigerant for its central product line and assigns it a global warming potential, or GWP, of 466.

R-454B is classified as A2L, meaning it is mildly flammable.

For the homeowner, this does not change the normal way of using the thermostat. For the installer and HVAC technician, however, this classification requires appropriate practices and equipment.

This includes, in particular:

• refrigerant handling;
• certain tools used during installation;
• leak-tightness verification;
• recovery procedures;
• the requirements applicable to A2L equipment;
• technician training.

For a company that installs R-454B central heat pumps in Laval and Montreal, this expertise is no longer optional.

The EVOX G3 can work with more demanding duct systems

Integrating a new central unit into an existing duct system always requires evaluating the static pressure.

The unit size is only one part of the calculation.

Ducts that are too small, a restrictive return-air path, an unsuitable filter, or a poorly constructed transition can prevent the system from reaching its intended airflow.

MIDEA equips the EVOX G3 with its Computational Constant Airflow 2.0. The manufacturer states that the fan control can adjust its output to adapt to different duct and filtration conditions, with an advertised capacity of up to 1.2 in. of external static pressure under the specified conditions.

The platform also allows up to 60 air-volume adjustment levels, providing greater flexibility during commissioning.

This never replaces a properly sized duct system. Rather, this technology gives our technicians more tools to adapt the unit’s operation to the building’s actual characteristics.

Why this MIDEA EVOX G3 installation in Laval is interesting in the long term

An auxiliary electric furnace capable of operating in multiple stages

The EVOX G3 platform can accommodate different auxiliary electric heating kits.

MIDEA documentation presents options for 10 kW, 15 kW, and up to 25 kW, along with up to three-stage operation depending on the configuration. The manufacturer states that the auxiliary heating can be activated and adjusted in response to temperature changes to better control comfort and electricity consumption.

However, the maximum available capacity is not automatically the right choice.

We must take into account the heat pump's capacity, the home's heating load, the electrical panel, the wiring, and the control method.

In a property in Laval, an oversized electrical element can place a significant load on the panel without providing a proportional benefit.

Good design instead aims to make the central heat pump and auxiliary electric heating.

A central heat pump designed for Quebec temperatures

When paired with the corresponding EVOX outdoor heat pump, this platform is designed to continue heating at very low temperatures.

MIDEA documentation announces continuous operation down to -30°C. For the published tests on a three-ton MIDEA system, the manufacturer also reports a high heating capacity at -25°C.

This data is particularly relevant in the the City of Laval.

A central system used in Quebec should not be evaluated solely based on its cooling performance in July. Its performance in January and February is just as important.

We therefore examine the available capacity at low temperatures, the COP, the sizing of the electrical components, and the backup strategy before finalizing an installation.

LogisVert: the exact combination must be verified before confirming a rebate

When a MIDEA EVOX G3 is paired with an eligible central heat pump, financial assistance from the program Hydro-Québec's LogisVert may be possible. However, the indoor furnace alone is not enough to determine eligibility.

Hydro-Québec currently indicates assistance of $50 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C for an eligible ENERGY STAR heat pump or $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C when it is ENERGY STAR certified and rated for cold climates. The amount is determined based on the eligible capacity at -8°C and the installation date.

For this installation photographed in Laval, the complete model number of the indoor-outdoor combination is not legible enough for us to advertise a precise amount.

We therefore always verify:

1. the exact model of the indoor unit;
2. the exact model of the outdoor heat pump;
3. the certified combination;
4. the recognized capacity at -8°C;
5. the LogisVert criteria in effect on the installation date.

It should also be noted that the the $220 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C multi-unit dwelling bonus currently announced by Hydro-Québec is intended for heat pumps wall-mounted eligible and must not be confused with a central system like this one.

Mistakes to avoid when installing a central system in a tight space

This Laval project allows us to summarize several mistakes that we systematically seek to avoid:

• block the access panels with the pipes or cables;
• choose electric heating solely according to the maximum available capacity;
• neglect return-air sizing;
• install an overly restrictive filter without checking static pressure;
• make the condensate drain impossible to clean;
• leave a poorly insulated refrigerant line;
• assume that the existing duct network is automatically suitable for the new equipment;
• choose the capacity solely based on the tonnage of the old unit;
• announce a LogisVert subsidy without verifying the two exact models;
• overlook the specific requirements of R-454B A2L refrigerant;
• forget that future accessibility is part of a good installation.

What the photograph shows of our approach at AirGreen

This installation does not impress through a huge mechanical room or a complete reconstruction of the building. Its value lies precisely in the details.

We have a MIDEA EVOX G3 vertical upflow, positioned in a restricted space. The Air Care Cube remains accessible at the base. The transparent drain can be inspected and cleaned. The refrigerant lines run along the side of the unit rather than cluttering its front. The service panels remain accessible. The airflow direction is clearly identified.

These are practical choices.

When a homeowner calls us several years after an electric furnace or central heat pump installation, a technician must be able to quickly access the filter, drain, coil, fan, and controls.

An installation designed only to “fit into the space” can become extremely difficult to maintain. A well-planned installation takes the next filter change, drain cleaning, and diagnostic into account before the system is even turned on.

At AirGreen, this method supports our electric furnaces, central heat pumps, and HVAC systems in the City of Laval, in Montreal, Longueuil, North Shore and on the South Shore.

The MIDEA EVOX G3 offers a particularly interesting design for this type of renovation: a modular cabinet, several possible orientations, adjustable airflow, compatibility with different control strategies, and integration of auxiliary electric heating. The result nevertheless always depends on how these possibilities are used on site.

At this Laval installation, the photograph allows us to see precisely what we aim to achieve: a compact central system, accessible, logical in its layout, and prepared for long-term maintenance.