Four-season comfort for a Montreal plex: a clean, quiet installation ready for the winters here
AirGreen Feedback — An HVAC System Designed for Real Life
At AirGreen , we were commissioned by the owner of a plex in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie to modernize the comfort of the main living space. The goal: a quiet , economical , efficient heating and cooling solution that was easy to maintain. Our recommendation was a Sharp wall-mounted heat pump ( ZU1 range, R-32 refrigerant), a choice aligned with our line of recent, stable and efficient products for Greater Montreal .
The context and customer expectations
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Open main room (living/dining room) with load-bearing wall opening onto the exterior.
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Need reliable supplemental heating during the off-season and quiet air conditioning in the summer, without invading the interior aesthetics.
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Minimal drilling constraints in order to preserve the building envelope typical of Montreal plexes.
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Requirement for easy maintenance and locally available parts.
Why Sharp (ZU1 series)?
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Next-generation R-32 : better energy efficiency and reduced load compared to older technologies (R-410A).
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Slim , fine-finned inner head design optimized for even air distribution and low sound pressure .
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High seasonal efficiency in both cooling and heating, ideal for annual use in the metropolitan area (Montreal, Laval , Longueuil , North Shore , South Shore ).
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Stable electronics and clear error detection for fast HVAC maintenance .
Our installation approach: clean, discreet, efficient
Wall head installation
The head was positioned at the top of the wall along the ceiling, centered in relation to the main volume to circulate the air over a long trajectory. This layout allows:
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reduced stratification in heating,
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uniform diffusion in air conditioning,
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free access for service (filter cleaning, diagnostics).
Crossing and finishing management
To preserve the interior aesthetics, we opted for:
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a single hole to the right of the unit, with direct exit to the outside,
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a discreet white capping (duct + elbow), neatly connected to the ceiling,
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sealed corners to limit any infiltration of air or humidity.
This treatment allows the refrigerant connections, the condensate drain and the power supply to be concealed , while maintaining easy access for maintenance.
Condensate drainage: safety first
The wall and floor topography did not provide sufficient slope for reliable year-round gravity flow. We therefore installed a compact mini-condensate pump , installed under the right end of the head. Advantages:
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Anti-overflow safety with level detector,
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Almost inaudible operation,
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Simple maintenance (priming and cleaning planned during HVAC maintenance visits).
Refrigeration connections and insulation
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Pre-flared copper joints brazed and pressurized with nitrogen during assembly to prevent internal oxidation.
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Continuous high density insulation on the suction line to eliminate condensation.
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Leak test (nitrogen) then deep vacuum (up to ≤ 500 microns) with stabilization, to ensure a dry and airtight circuit.
Power supply and protections
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Dedicated power supply with appropriate circuit breaker at the main panel of the dwelling.
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Discreet passage in the chute, clear identification of conductors and compliance with clearances.
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Polarity/earth check and load current measurement after commissioning.
Commissioning: Settings for “Montreal-style” comfort
During commissioning, we proceed to:
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Flow balance and verification of blown/suction temperatures.
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Setting the shutters to optimize the sweep according to the geometry of the room.
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Activation of energy saving functions (eco and standby modes).
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Explanations to the customer on:
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regular cleaning of filters,
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seasonal use (winter/automatic de-icing, summer/humidity control),
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light signals and maintenance messages.
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Immediate result: a clear drop in the temperature felt in the living area and a uniform increase in heat during the off-season, with a particularly low noise level — a criterion appreciated in Montreal plexes and condos.
Technical highlights of this pose
Route and lengths
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Short route (back-to-back towards the outside), ideal for limiting pressure losses and maximizing efficiency.
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A single hole , carefully sealed, with vapor barrier and controlled slope for the drain.
Accessories and finishes
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White ducts and elbows , tight fittings: clean visual integration near the ceiling.
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Mini condensate pump under casing: easy maintenance and safety in wet weather.
Predictable and fast maintenance
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Head accessible from the front for cleaning the filters.
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Discreet hatch for checking the pump, priming and flushing the drain for maintenance.
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Path of connections identified in the chute: accelerated diagnosis.
AirGreen Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Wall-Mounted Heat Pump
Seasonal use and adjustments
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In winter , favor a stable setting rather than large day/night differences to benefit from the best COP .
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In summer , maintain a set point of 24–25°C and activate the dehumidification function when the ambient humidity exceeds ~55%.
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Point the shutter slightly towards the ceiling to promote air mixing and avoid direct currents.
Hygiene and longevity
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Vacuum filters every 4–6 weeks during heavy use.
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Schedule annual HVAC maintenance : condensate pump check, insulation test, evaporator cleaning, electrical checks and tightening.
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Clear the space around the head (50 cm free) for optimal sweeping .
Grants and Compliance
Recent high-efficiency wall-mounted heat pumps (often Energy Star and R-32 refrigerant) may be eligible for certain financial assistance programs in effect in Quebec. The criteria are evolving; we support our customers to verify eligibility based on power, seasonal performance and address (Montreal, Laval , Longueuil , North Shore , South Shore ).
What this installation changes on a daily basis
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Uniform comfort : no more cold or overheated areas in the living room.
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Silence : the Sharp head (ZU1 range) is discreet, ideal for a living room with a television.
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Energy efficiency : controlled operating costs thanks to the optimized thermodynamic cycle and R-32 .
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Easy maintenance : direct access to filters, pump can be checked in a few minutes.
Why entrust your project to AirGreen?
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HVAC specialists in Greater Montreal, we are experts in plex, condo and townhouse configurations .
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Selected range of recent brands and series (R-32/R-454B) with locally available parts.
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Quality procedure : watertightness tests, deep vacuum, electrical checklist, drainage instructions, end-of-site photo report.
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Structured after-sales service : maintenance reminder, seasonal availability and optimization advice.
Quick Facts — Moving to Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
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Type : wall-mounted heat pump (mini-split).
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Brand : Sharp ( ZU1 , R-32 range).
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Route : back-to-back , single drilling, white capping .
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Condensates : integrated silent mini-pump .
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Customer objective : 4-season comfort, understated aesthetics, simplified maintenance.
For similar projects in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , North Shore and South Shore , our AirGreen team offers quick technical visits , clear quotes and complete support — from heat pump selection to HVAC installation , right up to the first interview .