A glass balcony, an urban view, and a clear need: to bring four-season comfort to a Griffintown condo while respecting the constraints of a modern building. We installed a Sharp wall-mounted heat pump (ZU1 series, R-32 refrigerant) , designed for Montreal winters and energy efficiency.
What distinguishes this achievement
In this recent apartment in the Griffintown neighborhood , our team has chosen a compact, quiet and clean HVAC installation . The outdoor unit, stamped Sharp – Eco Inverter / Plasmacluster , is placed on a raised aluminum support with anti-vibration pads . The insulated refrigerant connections are neatly covered, for a short and discreet route between the outdoor unit and the indoor head located on the living room side. The result: stable comfort , low consumption , and minimal disturbance for neighbors.
Client background and objectives
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3.5-room open-concept condo, southwest exposure, high solar gains in summer.
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Requirement for silence and aesthetics on a glass balcony .
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Looking for an electrical solution that is efficient and easy to maintain .
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Desire to preserve real estate value through a clean installation, in accordance with the union's regulations.
Why the Sharp ZU1 (R-32) for this condo?
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Inverter technology : fine modulation, high seasonal efficiency , smooth comfort.
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R-32 refrigerant : more efficient per kilogram and with reduced global warming potential compared to the old R-410A.
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Plasmacluster air treatment on the interior side (Sharp range): helps to clean the recirculated air.
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Compact size : perfect for balconies in residential towers .
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Extreme cold operating range specific to recent wall units: winter comfort in Montreal without the need for additional devices in the majority of urban uses.
Sizing: for a condo of approximately 75–85 m² , the most relevant configuration is typically around 12,000 BTU/h . We always validate the capacity via load calculation (orientation, glazing, sealing, floor, etc.) in order to avoid over/under-sizing.
Construction site preparation in a condo environment
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Union validation : support template, clearances, condensate management, wall passages — full compliance.
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Route plan : choice of a single, discreet drilling , shortest trajectory to limit pressure losses and noise.
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Protection and cleanliness : ground sheets, weatherstripping and waterproofing around crossings.
Salient installation details
Support and anti-vibrations
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Raised aluminum frame placed on the balcony to keep the machine away from the outside carpet and promote drainage.
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Anti-vibration pads under the anchor points to cut structural transmission to the slab.
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Optimized orientation to respect the clearances on the glass facade and keep the passage free.
Refrigeration and electricity connections
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Short-run insulated copper lines to the indoor head (living room), reducing losses and improving responsiveness.
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Shielded communication cabling and covered routing for durability and aesthetics.
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Careful sealing of the crossings, with UV-resistant external capping .
Condensate management
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Internal drain installed with correct slope and watering test; no visible flow on the balcony.
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Provision of an accessible maintenance point for seasonal rinsing.
Commissioning
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Vacuum draw and extended vacuum hold to ensure watertightness.
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Load checked according to actual line length.
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Control of intensities , supply/discharge temperatures and calibration of parameters.
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Checking sound levels on the balcony and inside.
Results obtained
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Even cooling of open-plan areas in summer, without drafts.
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Stable heating in mid-season and Montreal winter, with long and silent cycles .
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Expected reduction in annual electricity consumption thanks to the higher coefficient of performance than on/off units.
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Aesthetic integration respecting the architecture of Griffintown's glass balcony.
AirGreen Best Practices for Glass Balconies
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Sufficient installation height for winter drainage and de-icing.
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Distance from guardrails to avoid recirculating exhaust air.
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Most direct route to the inner head to reduce noise and losses.
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Regular drain check and filter cleaning (spring/fall).
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Annual HVAC maintenance : electrical inspection, pressures, temperatures, tightening, exchanger cleaning.
Maintenance and durability
A simple HVAC maintenance contract maintains performance:
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Cleaning batteries, gentle disinfection, checking fans .
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Checking the tightening torque and the tightness of the refrigeration network.
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Updated comfort settings (blades, speed, eco).
Grants and Compliance
High-efficiency R-32 wall-mounted heat pumps installed by a licensed contractor may be eligible for provincial programs depending on the exact model, declared performance and current criteria. We support our customers to document the installation (photos, serial numbers, detailed invoice) and optimize the request, whether you are in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , on the North Shore or the South Shore .
Technical data sheet summarizing the installation
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Type : single-zone wall-mounted heat pump .
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Brand / Range : Sharp – ZU1 (R-32) .
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Indicative capacity : ≈ 12,000 BTU/h (sized after calculation).
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Outdoor installation : raised aluminum support + anti-vibration pads .
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Route : short , covered, single crossing, watertight seals.
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Condensate management : controlled slope drain, maintenance point.
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Objectives : silence , efficiency , aesthetic integration in condos.
What we bring, throughout Greater Montreal
At AirGreen , we design custom installations for urban apartments as well as suburban homes. Our expertise covers Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , the North Shore and the South Shore , with the same requirement: performance , clean execution and sustainability of your investment.
Practical advice for the owner
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Keep the area around the outdoor unit clear (leaves, snow).
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Rinse the drain pan in the spring; check the filters every 4–6 weeks during heavy use.
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Schedule annual HVAC maintenance to maintain performance and warranty.
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Adjust the interior head louvers to direct the flow away from resting areas and maximize air mixing .
Conclusion
This Sharp ZU1 wall-mounted heat pump installation in the heart of Griffintown illustrates a compact , efficient and elegant approach adapted to the glass balconies of condos in Greater Montreal . With precise sizing , an optimized route and rigorous commissioning , seasonal comfort is guaranteed, in silence and energy efficiency .