Understated comfort for a high-ceilinged neighborhood cafe
At AirGreen , we often work in Montreal businesses where aesthetics are as important as performance . In this Plateau-Mont-Royal café, the owner wanted a reversible air conditioning and heating solution that respected the industrial ambiance of the place: painted brick walls, embossed sheet metal ceiling , vintage light fixtures and exposed wiring. We recommended and installed a Gree wall-mounted heat pump – Murale Series , ideal for open spaces with high ceilings and variable traffic.
Project background
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Building Type : Retail/Restaurant, Open Main Floor Plan.
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Constraints : high ceilings, solid brick, decorative elements to be preserved, minimal noise, extended operation (day + evening).
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Objectives : stable customer comfort, controlled operating costs, careful visual integration and easy access for maintenance.
Machine selection and sizing
We prioritize a selection based on the actual heat load . Here, the air volume combined with the ceiling height, occasional cooking in the back room, and solar gains from the street require a unit with a cooling capacity of between 15,000 and 18,000 BTU , with sufficient airflow to project the air stream to the back of the room. The Gree Wall Series meets these criteria:
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Inverter modulation : power adjusts continuously according to occupancy, avoiding energy-consuming on/off cycles.
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Silence : Very low indoor noise levels, essential in a cafe.
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Filtration : washable media and advanced filtration options, useful in public areas.
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Optimized defrosting : maintains stable heating in intermediate cold weather, perfect for mid-seasons in Montreal.
Interior layout: precision and integration
The wall head was installed above the line of light fixtures and below the decorative trim of the sheet metal ceiling, at a height of approximately 2.7 m . This positioning ensures:
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Maximum airflow along the brick wall, with Coanda effect carrying the flow towards the service area.
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No immediate recirculation : the air intake is far from the unit, which stabilizes the zone temperature.
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Protection of decorative elements : no visible drilling around the wall lights or conflict with existing cable trays.
We have provided sufficient side clearance for opening the hood and cleaning the filters, so that HVAC maintenance can be done quickly, without interrupting business activity.
Drilling into the brick and passing the connections
The wall is made of painted solid brick . We carried out controlled coring using a core drill with dust collection, respecting the gravity slope angle for condensate drainage. The passage accommodates:
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Insulated refrigerant lines (liquid + gas) with continuous vapor barrier.
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The low voltage communication/power cable .
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The PVC condensate drain pipe .
When the interior topography does not allow for a sufficient slope, we integrate an ultra-quiet mini-condensate pump . In this project, gravity drainage to a technical column was made possible thanks to the alignment with a window sill located on the rear facade.
On the outside, the connections are covered in UV-resistant anthracite casing , laid with a line to preserve the architectural line of the brick.
Acoustics and comfort management
In a cafe, the noise level determines the customer experience. We have set:
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Auto fan speed with custom limits to keep the speed ramping up smoothly as traffic increases.
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Moderate vertical sweep to avoid drafts on tables located in the center of the room.
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Night mode programmed for late closings, reducing ambient noise and consumption.
The result: a uniform temperature , without cold spots near the counter or thermal overload under the sheet metal ceiling, which is often subject to stratification . Continuous modulation limits perceptible variations and stabilizes humidity.
Power supply and compliance
A dedicated circuit was drawn from the panel, with an appropriate circuit breaker and an external disconnect box near the condensing unit. The assembly complies with current standards (RBQ/CSA) and facilitates the safety of subsequent interventions . The exposed electrical routing above was aligned with the existing decorative conduits , to integrate with the industrial style of the premises.
Frost management and winter performance
Although a wall-mounted heat pump does not replace a primary heating system for extreme cold, the Gree Wall-mounted Series provides effective backup in the fall and spring, reducing energy bills. The defrost cycle was checked during commissioning: sensors, pressures, and overheating were recorded to ensure stable operation at low temperatures. In restaurants, where the door opens frequently, the ability to quickly regain the setpoint is crucial: adaptive setpoint settings establish a smooth recovery ramp to avoid jolts.
AirGreen Site Challenges and Solutions
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Height and light obstacles
The wall lights and hanging bulbs required a narrow installation window . We used a mounting template and chemical fixings suitable for brick to anchor the plate without cracking the facing, while respecting the distances to the light fixtures for maintenance. -
Preservation of aesthetics
The café's visual identity is strong. We chose exterior casing and painted fasteners that blend in with the masonry, and carefully worked with the radii of curvature of the connections to avoid any visible "belly." -
Continuous operation
The premises could not be closed. We planned the intervention before the opening , with start-up the same day and discreet finishing touches after the lunch service.
Commissioning: rigor and traceability
Commissioning includes:
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Nitrogen leak test .
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Deep vacuum draw until a stable hold is achieved.
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Checking pressures , current, subcooling and superheat.
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Remote control calibration : programming of Day/Evening modes, locking of certain functions to prevent involuntary changes of setpoint by customers.
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Photo file and report submitted to the manager, useful for insurance and for future HVAC maintenance visits .
Recommended maintenance for a business
We recommend a biannual maintenance plan :
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Cleaning and disinfection of batteries and trays to prevent odors.
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Checking the condensate pump/gravity and trapping.
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Check the electrical tightening and the condition of the external insulation.
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Updating ventilation settings according to the season.
This program reduces outages during busy periods, extends appliance life and maintains energy efficiency .
Result: perceived comfort and controlled bill
Since installation, the team has observed:
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A stable thermal environment despite the coming and going of customers.
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A reduction in consumption compared to the old portable air conditioner used in summer.
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A sound level perfectly compatible with the room, even during quiet moments.
For merchants in Greater Montreal (Montreal intramural, Laval , Longueuil , North Shore , South Shore ), the properly sized and correctly installed wall-mounted heat pump remains the most flexible solution for quickly improving comfort without major work.
Why AirGreen for your business?
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Local expertise in HVAC installation on brick walls, heritage buildings and designer interiors.
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Smart planning to limit impact on operations.
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Turnkey service : advice, installation, commissioning, maintenance.
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Technical transparency : installation reports and operating parameters provided to the customer.
Do you run a café, boutique, or studio and are considering a wall-mounted heat pump ? Our team will quickly travel to Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore to assess the thermal load, aesthetics, and electrical constraints of your space.