Brick house, large mature trees, deep cornices: we are working in a residential area of NDG to install a recent R-32 wall-mounted heat pump , perfectly suited to the needs of a family who wanted 4-season comfort without encroaching on the layout of the patio. The facade already has an existing unit on another home; our mandate is to add a new independent zone with a clean, quiet integration that complies with the clearances.
Client context and objectives
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Intergenerational house, two stacked dwellings; additional air conditioning in summer, additional heating in winter.
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Desire for a discreet hooded route , avoiding any runoff on the roof of the awning.
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Cohabitation constraints: presence of another unit (different brand) on the same elevation, compliance with noise levels for the backyard.
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Access by ladder and limited traffic under the awning: safe and rapid intervention required.
Why the Gree Livo R32 for this brick house
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Inverter technology : fine modulation, long and stable cycles , efficiency gains in mid-season.
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R-32 refrigerant : better mass efficiency and lower GWP than older fluids.
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Compactness : narrow housing that fits under cornices without compromising suction/discharge clearances.
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Extreme cold operating range of recent murals : reliable comfort for Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore and South Shore .
Sizing : for a floor of 80–95 m² with living rooms facing the courtyard, the target power is around 12,000 BTU/h . We systematically validate the thermal load (orientation, infiltration, glazing, insulation) to avoid oversizing (noise, short cycles) and undersizing (lack of heat during cold spells).
Reading the site and preparing the HVAC installation
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Structural identification : load-bearing brick, sound joints; choice of an anchoring area above the awning protected from impacts and blown snow.
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Electrical coordination : dedicated circuit identified on the panel, optimized cable length, clear labeling .
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Route plan : a dark vertical hood running along the roof slope, then crossing the wall with an outward slope for the gravity drain.
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Site protection : tarpaulins, debris management, traffic control under the ladder.
Mechanical installation and finishing
Wall brackets under cornice
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Galvanized laser-leveled brackets , chemical anchors suitable for solid masonry.
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Anti-vibration pads under each support point to decouple the facade and reduce vibration transmission towards the interior.
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Clearances must be maintained around the fan and heat exchanger to ensure free airflow and prevent recirculation under the eaves.
Refrigeration connections and power supply
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Insulated annealed copper (3/8–1/4 or 1/2–1/4 depending on capacity) with controlled bend radii .
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Short effective length (≈ 3–6 m ) between the outdoor unit and the indoor head of the living room; this choice reduces losses , improves responsiveness and minimizes noise.
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Communication cabling routed in the same vertical capping ; stainless steel clamps and anti-UV fixings for a durable hold.
Drainage and waterproofing
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Gravity drain from the interior head with controlled slope and accessible service point .
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Waterproofing around the holes: weatherstripping , high-performance mastic, dark-colored exterior capping to match the downspouts.
Commissioning
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Deep vacuum , prolonged vacuum holding to validate the tightness of the circuit.
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Additional load adjustment if necessary according to actual length.
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Controls: currents , superheat/subcooling , supply/discharge temperatures , noise level in the yard and inside.
Visible details and integration choices
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Two units present on the same elevation: ours is centered under the cornice with a dark brown vertical hood which follows the architectural line.
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Distance of the gutter and air return volutes to prevent any recirculation.
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Installation height allowing simple maintenance from the outside while completely freeing the awning.
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Management of existing cables : streamlining the route to avoid crossings and facilitate possible future interventions.
Results obtained
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Even cooling of the main level in summer, better humidity control.
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Stable additional heating in winter; the device meets the majority of needs on moderately cold days, supplemented as needed by the main heating.
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Expected reduction in consumption compared to portable air conditioning and continuous electric convectors.
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Reduced noise level in the yard thanks to inverter modulation and anti-vibration .
AirGreen Best Practices for Brick Homes with Canopies
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Maintain clearances above and in front of the appliance; avoid any blowing towards an occupied area (terrace, French windows).
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Continuous vertical cladding : mechanical protection, controlled aesthetics and quick access for maintenance.
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Priority gravity drain ; failing this, silent condensate pump with priming point .
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Annual HVAC maintenance : battery cleaning, electrical check, performance measurements, drain flushing.
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Clearing leaves and ice around the appliance at the change of season.
Maintenance and durability
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Inner head filters : clean every 4 to 6 weeks in summer.
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Visual inspection in spring: condition of the capping , fixings, silent blocks , cleanliness of the exchanger.
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Annual professional check: pressure switches , characteristic temperatures , tightening torque , diagnosis of possible micro-leaks .
Grants and Compliance
Recent R-32 wall-mounted heat pumps , installed by a licensed contractor , may be eligible for financial assistance programs depending on the exact model and current criteria (seasonal efficiency, low temperature performance, approved data sheet). We support our customers in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , the North Shore and the South Shore for documentation (serial numbers, photos, detailed invoice) and submission of the file.
Summary technical sheet
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Type : single-zone wall-mounted heat pump .
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Brand / Range : Gree – Livo R32 .
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Indicative capacity : ≈ 12,000 BTU/h (confirmed by load calculation).
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Exterior installation : wall brackets under cornice + anti-vibration ; clearances compliant.
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Route : 3–6 m covered in vertical column ; a main drilling with drain slope.
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Power supply : dedicated circuit identified on the panel.
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Objectives : silence , efficiency , architectural integration , easy maintenance .
Our AirGreen approach in Greater Montreal
Each facade in NDG , Outremont , Côte- des-Neiges , like those in Villeray or the Southwest , imposes its rules: deep cornices , awnings , exposed electrical lines , narrow balconies . We size, plan and execute the HVAC installation accordingly, with the same requirement for cleanliness of execution and durability in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , on the North Shore and the South Shore .
Advice to the owner
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Leave 50–60 cm free in front of the unit; keep the area clear of vegetation.
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Avoid frequent stops/restarts in winter; inverter regulation works better in maintenance mode.
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During pollen or leaf season, gently rinse the outdoor heat exchanger (device off).
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Schedule annual HVAC maintenance in late spring or early fall.
Conclusion
This HVAC installation of a Gree Livo R32 wall-mounted heat pump in NDG illustrates careful integration under the cornice, with vertical cladding , short path and exemplary acoustic management . The result combines 4-season comfort , energy efficiency and durability , without compromising on the aesthetics of the brick facade.