Installation of a Gree (R-32 range) wall-mounted heat pump in Plateau-Mont-Royal
AirGreen installs a Gree R-32 wall-mounted heat pump in Plateau-Mont-Royal: raised condenser, clean brick penetration, discreet capping and rigorous commissioning for four-season comfort.
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A well-thought-out urban project: condensing on a terrace, clean brick crossing and secure power supply
Building context and comfort objectives
At AirGreen , we are working on a brick plex in Plateau-Mont-Royal . The client wants to efficiently air condition and heat their living space without compromising the aesthetics of the facades. We offer a Gree R-32 wall-mounted heat pump , renowned for its efficiency and compactness, perfectly suited to Montreal apartments with balconies or terraces.
Choice of equipment
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Type : wall-mounted heat pump ( mini-split ).
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Brand : Gree .
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Refrigerant : R-32 (new generation, low GWP).
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Capacity : sized selection after calculating the loads (brick envelope, orientation, glazing). Typical power levels range from 9,000 to 18,000 BTU for a main room in plex.
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Objective : to ensure four-season comfort with a high COP and consistent performance in cold Montreal weather.
Expected result: reduction in heating consumption during the off-season, silent air conditioning in summer and stable air quality thanks to inverter operation.
How to install a neat HVAC system suitable for brick buildings
Outdoor installation: stability and clearances respected
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Support : the condenser is placed on a raised aluminum base , mechanically anchored and detached by anti-vibration pads. This elevation keeps the machine out of water and blown snow.
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Clearances : Respect clearances around the side air intake and the front blower to ensure performance and facilitate maintenance.
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Surface : the terrace receives protection under the feet to preserve the membrane .
Routes: clean, short and efficient
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Continuously insulated dehydrated copper refrigerant lines with a short run (≈ 2 to 3 m visible) .
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Capping : black finish matching the aesthetics of the brick and frames, with curvature radii respected to avoid any stress on the tubes.
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Wall Pass-Through : Unique diamond crown drilling , waterproof sleeve and fire retardant foam for a durable air barrier.
Power supply: compliance and safety
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Outdoor disconnect box adjacent to the condenser, shielded cable in sheath, dedicated circuit breaker for the indoor panel.
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Grounding checked, tightening torque checked on terminal blocks, clear identification of circuits for future maintenance.
Commissioning: metrological rigor
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Flaring to gauge, torques controlled by dynamometer.
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Nitrogen test and vacuum ≤ 500 microns with vacuum resistance.
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Valve opening, balancing, control of superheating/subcooling , intensity and ΔT in cooling and heating mode.
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Condensate check: discreet gravity outlet; if the slope was insufficient, a mini-pump would have been provided.
Why Gree R-32 is suitable for Plateau plexes
Performance and silence
Gree's latest generation R-32 units offer fine modulation and low noise levels on both the condenser and evaporator sides. This quietness ensures peace and quiet for occupants on balconies or terraces.
Cold weather performance
Gree's recent R-32 series maintain useful capacity at low temperatures thanks to the inverter compressor and electronic injection control (depending on the range). In Greater Montreal, this translates into reliable heating up to the usual cold of winter, while maintaining very good HSPF .
Top Rated Refrigerant
R-32 has a lower global warming potential than R-410A and requires less charging , contributing to reduced environmental impact and optimized operating costs.
Practical details specific to this installation
Constraints resolved
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Brick facade : clean drilling, suitable anchors and proper sealing to prevent infiltration.
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Limited space between windows: lateral installation of the condenser with unobstructed air circulation.
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Terrace protection : plates and pads to distribute the load and protect the membrane.
Aesthetics and maintenance
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Discreet capping and straight lines for a neat finish.
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Maintenance access : the height of the base makes it easier to wash the coil , check connections and clear drains.
Durability and guarantees
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Tubes, cables and fixings rated for exterior use in the Montreal climate (UV, freeze/thaw).
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Documented commissioning to validate manufacturer warranties and our AirGreen commitments in HVAC installation .
AirGreen Tips for Brick Buildings in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore
Sizing without overcapacity
We avoid oversizing. A 9k–12k BTU wall unit often covers an open-concept living room/kitchen; an 18k BTU is considered for large spaces or unfavorable exposures. Proper sizing ensures effective dehumidification and longevity .
Choosing the location of the condenser
On the terrace or balcony, we favor:
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Free blowing outwards,
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Controlled vibrations ,
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Secure access for maintenance,
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Distance from sensitive areas (bedrooms, immediate neighbors).
Grants and Eligibility
Many R-32 wall-mounted heat pumps meet current program requirements (seasonal efficiency, cold weather performance). We verify eligibility for you based on capacity , SEER/HSPF ratings and operating range .
What the customer sees after installation
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Immediate comfort and rapid temperature rise in heating mode.
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Noise controlled on the terrace and inside.
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Optimized power consumption thanks to modulation.
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A clean integration that respects the typical brick architecture of the Plateau.
Recommended HVAC maintenance
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Clean the filters inside every 2–3 months during the season.
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Condenser washing in spring and fall.
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Annual inspection by our AirGreen technicians: electrical checks, pressures, ΔT, sealing and updating of sealants.
Why AirGreen
We combine field engineering , careful finishing and grant support for residential projects in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore and South Shore . Our team plans each heat pump installation to last and be easy to maintain.
The job tools
Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.
Conversion: 1 W = 3.412 BTU/h. An indication, not a load calculation: baseboards and furnaces are often stronger than the real need, and they can stay as backup. AirGreen confirms the capacity on site.
How the job unfolds
The main steps of this kind of job at AirGreen. Every house has its quirks: the estimate brings them out.
We look at the room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
Model, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
Floors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
A single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
Set on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
Connected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
A dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
Leak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
Remote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
- The on-site estimateWe look at the room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
- The quoteModel, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
- Getting readyFloors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
- The wall openingA single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
- The outdoor unitSet on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
- Lines, cable and drainConnected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
- The electrical workA dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
- Tests and start-upLeak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
- The walkthroughRemote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
What we check on a job like this one
Each number is a point we check on site. Switch between summer and winter to watch air and heat move.
In summer, the outdoor unit rejects the house's heat outside.
Generic illustration of this type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Tap a number.
Mounted level on a wall plate, high enough for the air to reach the whole room, with enough space around it to slide the filters out easily.
The refrigerant lines, the communication cable and the drain go through the wall in a single opening, sealed against water, cold air and insects.
Two insulated copper pipes connect the two units. Outside, a line cover can protect them from sun, knocks and weather.
A shut-off switch near the outdoor unit isolates it safely for service. It must stay accessible at all times.
The compressor and the fan. In heating mode it captures heat from the outdoor air, even in winter, and moves it inside.
On the ground or on the wall, it keeps the unit above accumulated snow. The unit stays clear and defrost water can drain away.
The fan needs to blow freely. Storage, a fence or a wall too close, and efficiency drops while noise goes up.
Is your home ready?
Check what applies at your place. A "no" is not a refusal: it is what we sort out during the estimate.
Good habits, once the unit is in place
Six simple habits that keep the unit going. Your list stays on this device.
What to do, season by season
Three habits per season for this unit. They take a few minutes and prevent many calls.
- Clean the indoor unit's filters.
- Clear leaves and debris left on the outdoor unit by winter.
- Test cooling before the first hot days.
- Clean the filters more often when the unit runs a lot.
- Keep plants away from the outdoor unit.
- Check that no water drips from the indoor unit.
- Rake the leaves around the outdoor unit.
- Test heating before the first cold days.
- Book periodic maintenance before winter.
- Keep snow away from the stand and the front of the unit.
- Let the unit defrost: it is normal.
- Never hit the ice on the fins; call us if the unit stays iced up.
The right pages, at the right time
Four statements: true or false?
It all comes down to details you have just seen.
1. In heating mode, the outdoor unit can produce water.
During defrost cycles. That water must drain away without forming ice.
2. You pick the capacity with a simple square-footage rule.
Windows, insulation, orientation and how the room is used all count. Capacity is chosen on site.
3. A multi-zone connects several indoor heads to a single condenser.
One head per room, all on the same condenser. Each room keeps its own temperature.
4. The disconnect can sit behind the patio furniture.
It must stay accessible: it is what shuts the unit off for service.
0 / 4 right answers
What people ask us about this kind of work
Does a wall-mounted heat pump heat in winter?
Wall-mounted or multi-zone: how do I choose?
Where does the outdoor unit go?
Are there grants?
Do I need a permit?
How cold can it heat?
How much can I save?
How is the LogisVert assistance calculated?
Is it noisy?
The outdoor unit is covered in ice: is that normal?
Does AirGreen hold the required licences?
Is the estimate free?
No question matches. Write to us: we answer.
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Text and photo: a real AirGreen Climatisation & Chauffage job. The diagrams are generic illustrations of the type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Sources of the added figures: airgreen.ca product pages (NEEP / AHRI performance), Hydro-Québec (Heat pumps page, LogisVert, read on 13 October 2026), Régie de l’énergie (rate D as of 1 April 2026).