Four-season comfort in a Montreal plex: our HVAC approach designed for bitter winters and sticky summers
Project context: a brick plex, a narrow courtyard, high expectations
At AirGreen , we are working in a typical Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie building: red brick facade, low windows overlooking the backyard and a narrow passage between the house and the fence. The owner wanted:
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efficient heating even in very cold weather;
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quiet air conditioning for the courtyard-side bedroom;
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a clean, durable and easy-to-maintain HVAC installation , without harming the masonry.
We are directing the project towards a Gree Livo R32 , a wall-mounted heat pump known for its reliable winter performance and its new generation R-32 refrigerant with lower GWP. The chosen configuration targets a living room and an adjoining bedroom, with a sizing in the common range of 12–18,000 BTU after simplified thermal load calculation (envelope, orientation, infiltration, use).
Why the Gree Livo R32 is a perfect fit for Montreal buildings
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Cold performance : stable heating down to around −25°C, ideal for our winters.
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Energy efficiency : high seasonal coefficients allowing you to reduce your bill compared to electric baseboard heaters.
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Silence : Discreet outside group and inside head - valuable in the backyard.
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R-32 : better volumetric efficiency and lower climate impact compared to R-410A.
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9k to 24k BTU formats : fine adaptation to plex housing, condos and small houses.
Site preparation: preserving the brick, ensuring longevity
First of all, we validate the accesses and the structure:
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Locating holes : avoid weakened joints and cracks; favor a clean hole through the brick and the block, with a sleeve and external sealant to prevent water infiltration.
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Route : the shortest passage between the indoor head and the condenser limits pressure losses and reduces the length of the lines (here, ~2.5–3.5 m visible between the wall outlet and the condenser connection).
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Neighborhood protection : tarpaulins, drilling templates and respect for the common courtyard.
Installation of supports: stability and regulatory clearances
The outdoor unit is fixed on galvanized wall brackets anchored in the masonry. We respect:
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ground clearance to keep snow away, facilitate drainage and maintenance;
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a wall recess for rear air circulation and service access;
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level alignment to preserve the compressor oil bearings and avoid vibrations.
Silent blocks are inserted to decouple micro-vibrations from the brick and protect interior comfort at night.
Refrigerant connections and power supply: clean, insulated, sustainable
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Insulated copper lines (outgoing/return) curved without bending, brazed under nitrogen and covered with a white UV-resistant conduit cover, consistent with the color of the yard.
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Communication and power cable running in the same cover, with service loop to avoid any stress on the terminal blocks.
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Nitrogen leak test , deep vacuum (≤ 500 microns), then stabilization to check for the absence of moisture.
Condensate management: priority to gravity
The housing configuration allows for gravity drainage , which is more reliable than a pump. We provide the owner with an HVAC drain maintenance schedule (periodic flushing, biofilm prevention) to ensure summer performance.
Details visible on the installation
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Complete cladding of the connections, sealed and aesthetic wall outlet.
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Protective sheath on the condenser side harness, with waterproof cable gland .
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Short and straight path , reducing losses and facilitating future interventions.
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Partially shaded location thanks to the terrace structure: beneficial for air conditioning efficiency during heat waves.
Commissioning: measurements and optimization
We proceed to:
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Electrical control (polarity/ground) and nominal current in operation.
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Reading of incoming/outgoing air temperatures , subcooling and superheat to validate the charge.
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Acoustic check : absence of resonance on the brackets and on the brick.
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Comfort settings : fan speeds, eco mode, sweeping and night setting.
Immediate result: a rapid drop in indoor temperature in air conditioning mode and, in heating mode, a smooth, even rise without jolts — a significant gain in comfort compared to existing electric convectors.
Tips for maximizing savings
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Maintain stable settings (e.g. 21°C for heating, 23–24°C for air conditioning).
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Leave the unit running in automatic mode during off-season variations.
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Clean the inner head pre-filter every 4–6 weeks during periods of heavy use.
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Keep the outdoor unit clear (20–30 cm around the grille) and free of leaves.
AirGreen HVAC Maintenance: The Key to Sustainable Performance
An annual HVAC maintenance plan extends machine life and maintains performance:
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gentle washing of the external battery and inspection of the fins;
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checking the fixings and silent blocks ;
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drain check and gentle disinfection of the evaporator;
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reading of service parameters (pressures/temperatures) and updating of settings if necessary.
Our teams cover all of Greater Montreal — Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore and South Shore — with quick turnaround times for the warm season as well as for fall heating.
Grants and Compliance
High-efficiency wall-mounted heat pumps using R-32 are generally eligible for current provincial/municipal assistance programs . We assist the owner in:
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eligibility verification (cold performance, minimum efficiency);
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preparation of documents (detailed invoice, installation certificate);
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the filing of applications , in order to reduce the net cost of the project.
Safety and quality: what we are putting in place
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Sealed drillings and weatherproofing to protect masonry;
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Frost management and compliant clearances to prevent air recirculation;
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Dedicated circuit breaker and compliance with the Electrical Code;
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AirGreen labor warranty and Gree manufacturer warranties on compressor and parts (subject to conditions).
What the customer remembers
“Quiet, efficient, and visually very clean. Even in the middle of a heatwave, the room stays cool. In winter, the bill has gone down without any loss of comfort.”
Best practices to remember for a Montreal plex
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Favor a short, hooded route for connections.
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Install the condenser on wall brackets when floor space is limited and for snow clearance.
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Provide a gravity drain as soon as possible; otherwise, integrate a quality pump with a vapor barrier.
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Do not neglect vacuum draw and tuning : these are the guarantors of real performance.
What if your project is elsewhere in Greater Montreal?
Our team replicates the same requirement in Villeray, Le Sud-Ouest, Outremont, Verdun , but also in Chomedey and Sainte-Dorothée ( Laval ), in Saint-Lambert and Brossard ( South Shore ), or in Terrebonne and Sainte-Thérèse ( North Shore ). A successful HVAC installation begins with a technical visit and serious sizing .
Conclusion: a clean, efficient, winter-ready installation
This Gree Livo R32 provides a balanced response to the need for efficient heating and discreet air conditioning in a Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie plex. The careful installation on wall brackets , the cladding of the connections and the rigorous commissioning guarantee lasting comfort and controlled bills. Are you considering a wall-mounted heat pump in Montreal , Laval or Longueuil ? Our advisors will support you from the choice to the financing, then over time with structured HVAC maintenance .