Four-season comfort for a typical Plateau plex: compact condenser on a wooden balcony, raised anti-vibration structure and ultra-short refrigeration path for maximum efficiency in an urban environment.
A construction site designed for life in Montreal plexes
At AirGreen, we design each HVAC installation based on the actual architecture of Montreal homes. Here, the GREE outdoor unit sits on a wooden balcony, sheltered by the upper structure. We selected a raised aluminum support table with anti-vibration pads to:
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preserve the decking (no water stagnation under the unit);
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improve air circulation around the exchanger;
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limit the transmission of vibrations to the frame;
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maintain sufficient ground clearance for snow drifting and de-icing.
Our goal remains constant: to integrate a modern wall-mounted heat pump into the daily life of the Plateau, between balconies, green alleys and nearby neighborhoods, without noise or visual disturbance.
Why a recent GREE with R-32 refrigerant?
GREE's R-32 generations offer:
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a reduced environmental footprint compared to R-410A;
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high SEER/HSPF, resulting in better controlled consumption ;
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a reliable operating range for Montreal winters;
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fine modulation electronics for marked silence at low speeds.
For an average-sized home in the Plateau, the target power is generally between 9,000 and 12,000 BTU per indoor unit, to be adjusted according to the orientation, ceiling height, and continuity of the rooms. We size precisely to avoid oversizing and short cycles.
Outdoor installation: take care of the air, noise and wood
Raised support and anchor points
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Bolted aluminum table, rubber pads to decouple the structure.
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Fixings adapted to the decking, with control of the anchoring in the joists .
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Optimized height: high enough for defrost drainage, low enough to remain discreet behind the guardrail.
Condensate and defrost management
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Slight natural slope of the tray towards the front; clearance under the unit to prevent water accumulation on the wood.
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Local gutter/drain option when a lower balcony is occupied; if necessary, we offer a dedicated pipe to the outside to protect neighbors.
Vibration and acoustic prevention
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Tightening to the manufacturer's torque ; checking the shims under the feet.
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Current clamp control of the intensities in order to set the compressor rotation frequency and limit the audible harmonics on the wooden structure.
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Recommended night mode when available.
Clearances and neighborhood
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Respect clearances to walls and guardrails to ensure air suction/expulsion.
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Careful orientation so that the blowing does not directly target a neighboring relaxation area.
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Tips for use in winter: keep the defrosting area free.
Optimized refrigeration path: performance and aesthetics
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Connections exit to the left of the unit, bundle covered and insulated up to the crossing in the adjacent wall.
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Short overall length (typically 3 to 5 m), reducing pressure losses and additional refrigerant quantity.
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Brazing under nitrogen , deep vacuum (≤ 300 microns) with nitrogen/soap pressure resistance test.
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Finished with light-coloured capping covers compatible with the joinery; anti-corrosion fixings.
Inside, the wall head (living room) benefits from a direct gravity drain , without a pump, limiting maintenance and noise.
Electricity: Safety, Code and Longevity
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Dedicated circuit from main panel, sized as per nameplate.
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External disconnect within easy reach (outside the photo frame) for maintenance.
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UV-stable cable and connectors; validated grounding. We document each step on the test sheet (intensities, pressures, blowing temperatures).
Commissioning: from first start-up to fine adjustments
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Leak and vacuum testing .
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Equalization, opening of valves, reading of static pressures.
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Control of temperatures in cooling and heating, stabilization of superheating/subcooling .
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Adjust the indoor head sweep and fan speed to cover the room without drafts.
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Enable power saving modes and, if provided, Wi-Fi for remote management.
Living with a heat pump in the Plateau: practical advice
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Clear the back and front of the unit (potted plants, bicycles, bins).
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Clean the decking around the table to avoid vacuuming dust.
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In winter, avoid snowdrifts against the guardrail. If an ice shell forms under the unit, gently break it to release the flow.
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Indoors, rinse the filters every 4–6 weeks during use.
HVAC Maintenance by AirGreen
We offer an annual maintenance which includes:
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inspection of the external exchanger (fins, hydrophilic coating);
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testing of sensors and probes, cleaning of the internal condensate tray;
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checking the tightening , disconnection and wiring;
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refrigeration parameter control and software update when available.
Proper maintenance maintains seasonal efficiency and extends the life of the compressor/fan assembly.
What to avoid on a wooden balcony
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Place the unit directly on the ground: defrost water stains the wood and corrosion progresses.
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Enclose the unit without calculating the clearances : risk of recirculation of hot air and loss of heating capacity.
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Drilling without a vapor barrier or insulated sleeve: condensation in the wall and traces.
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Over-sizing the power: discomfort, short cycles, poor dehumidification .
Our teams follow quality control procedures to avoid these pitfalls, from quote to commissioning.
Grants and Eligibility
In Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore , several programs encourage high-efficiency heat pumps . GREE's recent R-32 ranges meet the efficiency requirements of many benchmarks. We support our customers in:
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validate the eligibility of the indoor/outdoor unit combination;
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produce detailed billing and performance documents;
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submit the request on time, until it is obtained.
Result: silence, sobriety, comfort
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GREE wall-mounted heat pump ( R-32 range) perfectly integrated into a Plateau-Mont-Royal plex.
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Condenser on raised table , short connections, gravity drain and clean capping.
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Stable comfort, contained noise , measurable energy savings.
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A neatly executed project, ready for the heat of July and the cold of January.
Areas served : Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore , South Shore . We install, maintain and modernize your HVAC systems: wall-mounted, multi-zone , central heat pump , quality accessories and expert advice.
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