Wind-exposed balcony, meticulous finishing and extreme cold performance: a condo moves to four-season comfort without compromise
Context: Responding to Nuns' Island's windy winters
At AirGreen , we are modernizing a condo on Nuns' Island with a Sharp ZU1 series (R-32) wall-mounted heat pump. The objective: to stabilize the temperature of the living room adjoining the sliding window, limit noise pollution on the facade and ensure reliable heating down to very low temperatures . The installation is carried out on a tiled balcony , in winter with snow on the ground, which guides our technical choices: elevation , frost management , air clearances and sealing of openings .
Why Sharp ZU1 series (R-32) for this condo
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Four-season efficiency : Sharp's recent R-32 ranges maintain high heating efficiencies in sustained cold while remaining economical in summer air conditioning .
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Silence and comfort : inverter compressor, anti-vibration strategy, progressive ventilation → low noise level outside and inside.
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Environmentally friendly : R-32 reduces the climate footprint compared to older generations of R-410A.
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Compactness : mini-split format ideal for condos and plexes in Greater Montreal , without heavy duct work.
Sizing: For a typical condo living area, we validate a range of 9,000 to 15,000 BTUs depending on the orientation, the envelope, and internal contributions. This calculation eliminates oversizing, which is detrimental to comfort and savings.
Reading the site: key clues and constraints
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Light-colored rendered facade and blue joinery typical of condominium buildings on Nuns' Island.
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Tiled balcony exposed to the wind, metal railing : open environment requiring controlled wind resistance .
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Outdoor unit on raised aluminum support , blue anti-vibration pads visible under the base.
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Electrical disconnect box in the immediate vicinity for emergency shutdown and maintenance.
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Short refrigeration connection entering perpendicular to the wall, insulated, with discreet cover up to the point of penetration.
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Snow on the ground : obligation to clear the air discharge and maintain a free path for de-icing water .
Our installation method (AirGreen process)
1) Preparation and clean drilling
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Identification of the refrigeration passage + communication + drain for the shortest possible crossing between the interior head and the condenser.
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Coring in the wall with sleeve, controlled slope for gravity flow and exterior sealing with elastomeric mastic; vapor barrier inside for continuity of the envelope.
2) Installation of the raised outdoor unit
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Level the support (≈ 40–50 cm from the tiles) to allow defrost water to pass through and prevent any accumulation of snow under the appliance.
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Respect clearances : front face free over 60–90 cm, rear and sides clear for optimal airflow .
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Stainless steel fixings and anti-vibration interface to prevent noise transmission to the balcony slab.
3) Refrigeration and electrical connections
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Bending of insulated copper tubes without wrinkles, clean nitrogen brazing , deep vacuum and micron leak testing .
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Power supply on dedicated circuit with circuit breaker rating in accordance with Sharp recommendations; installation of the watertight disconnection box with service clearances.
4) Commissioning and configuration
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Reading of pressures , suction/discharge temperatures , compressor current and superheat .
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Setting the modes and the fan curve , explanation of the defrost cycles for winter use.
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HVAC maintenance tips: filter cleaning, cowling inspection, seasonal check-up.
Visible details and justified choices
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Aluminum support : resistant to salt and frost, it prevents rapid corrosion often observed on exposed balconies.
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Blue pads : anti-vibration elements that reduce structural hum in the slab; noticeable effectiveness at the end of the evening.
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Discreet cover : protection of connections against UV and abrasion; neat aesthetics on the front.
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External sectioning : safety and compliance, particularly appreciated by co-ownership syndicates for rapid interventions .
Best practices for a balcony exposed to the wind
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Elevate the unit and keep the bottom clear for water drainage during defrost cycles.
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Avoid storing objects in front of the blower grille during the winter.
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Clear snow after storms to preserve airflow and heating capacity .
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Check the support base , the tightening torque and the condition of the anti-vibration pads annually.
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Schedule HVAC maintenance in the spring: cleaning the battery, checking pressures and the hood .
Results obtained
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Stable heating of the living room with a reduced temperature delta near the bay windows.
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External noise contained thanks to the separation of the support and inverter modulation.
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Clean finish , visually integrated with the light facade and railing.
Grants and Eligibility
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New generation R-32 wall-mounted heat pumps with high efficiency and capacity maintenance at −25°C/−30°C are often eligible for assistance programs available in Quebec. We confirm eligibility at the time of submission based on power (BTU) , performance testing and current administrative criteria.
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On the Island of Montreal, we support the customer throughout the process (certificates, installation photos, serial numbers), for a seamless experience from request to payment.
Alternatives according to housing in Greater Montreal
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Larger open area : increase in BTU or switch to a Multi-Zone Heat Pump if several rooms need to be treated.
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North Shore/South Shore/Laval houses : same standards, with snow guards or bases adapted to parking spaces and flat roofs.
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Acoustic constraints in co-ownership: addition of specific silent blocks , adjustment of minimum night speeds.
Maintenance and longevity: our owner checklist
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Keep 60–90 cm free in front of the blower front.
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Clean the inner head filters every 4 to 8 weeks during use.
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Inspect the cover and the drilling seal once a year.
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Clear snow quickly after heavy rainfall.
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Plan an annual maintenance : leak check, measurement of refrigeration parameters , cleaning of the battery.
What we guarantee
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Rigorous load calculation for the right power.
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Compliant, clean and durable HVAC installation : stainless steel materials, UV cladding, tidy wiring.
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AirGreen Service throughout Greater Montreal ( Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore , South Shore ): commissioning, HVAC maintenance and ongoing assistance.
In short
This Sharp ZU1 series (R-32) wall-mounted heat pump installation in Nun's Island combines intelligent elevation , frost management , and silence for immediate and lasting comfort. We apply the same standards to balconies, terraces, and backyard walls, with a finish that meets Montreal's co-ownership and climate requirements.