Installation of a 3-head GREE Free Match R32 heat pump in Ange-Gardien in a narrow outdoor passage beneath a roof overhang

In Ange-Gardien, a multi-zone installation adapted to a confined space between the masonry, a window, and a roof overhang

This installation of a 3-head GREE Free Match R32 heat pump in Ange-Gardien perfectly illustrates a type of project where choosing the outdoor location requires as much thought as sizing the three indoor zones. The available space was not a large, completely open yard: the outdoor unit had to be integrated into a side passage surrounded by brick walls, near a window, and beneath a roof overhang.

The project photograph shows the result precisely. The outdoor unit GREE Free Match R32 was installed on a raised metal support, which frees up floor space and keeps the heat pump above accumulations of water, snow, and debris. An electrical disconnect is installed on the nearby brick wall. The technical lines are grouped in a brown pipe cover that runs horizontally along the façade before continuing on its path.

The main challenge was to use the available space without enclosing the unit. A multi-zone outdoor unit must move a significant volume of air, remain accessible for servicing, and have sufficient clearance around its panels. In a narrower passage, a few dozen centimetres can completely change the quality of an installation.

Installing in a narrow passage without compromising airflow

The outdoor unit cannot be treated like a simple appliance that can be placed in an unused corner.

Its large front fan continuously draws in and expels air while the system is operating. If this air immediately encounters a wall, fence, or screen that is too close, some of it may return toward the heat exchanger. This recirculation can reduce efficiency and increase the system's workload.

For this project in Ange-Gardien, we kept the front of the unit facing the most open section of the passage. The unit is also positioned so that it does not block the window behind it and preserves access to its service side.

The roof overhang provides protection, but also imposes limitations

The heat pump is partially protected by the structure above. This configuration can reduce direct exposure to certain types of precipitation, but above all, we must ensure that sufficient clearance remains above the unit for operation and servicing.

A unit positioned too close to a soffit can present several drawbacks:

• more limited airflow;
• difficult access to the top of the chassis;
• heat buildup in summer in a very enclosed space;
• more complicated service work;
• the risk that future work on the soffit or façade will become difficult.

Our approach is therefore to use the existing architectural protection without turning the location into an enclosed niche.

A metal support that keeps the heat pump off the ground

In the photograph, the outdoor unit rests on an elevated metal structure rather than directly on a slab or the ground.

For a heat pump used for heating in Quebec, this height is particularly useful.

In winter, the outdoor coil may accumulate frost. The system then periodically initiates a defrost cycle to melt this ice. The resulting water must be able to drain freely from beneath the unit.

When the unit is too low:

• water can freeze around its base;
• ice buildup can approach the chassis;
• snow can block the lower section;
• cleaning becomes more difficult;
• debris is more likely to accumulate around the equipment.

The support creates clear space beneath the machine while maintaining clearance.

Why support stability is essential

A multi-zone unit is considerably heavier than a small single-zone outdoor unit.

GREE documentation shows that the Free Match R32 models capable of powering three indoor units have a net weight ranging from approximately 112.5 lb to 174.2 lb, depending on the selected capacity.

The support must therefore be selected based on:

• the model’s weight;
• its dimensions;
• compressor vibrations;
• the stability of the support points;
• winter conditions;
• of the access required around the machine.

The small isolators visible beneath the unit’s mounting feet also help limit the transmission of vibrations to the metal structure.

An exterior finish suited to the brick façade

One of the most visible details of this installation is the brown pipe cover installed on the masonry.

A three-head system involves several connections between the outdoor unit and the indoor units. These lines should not simply be attached randomly to the façade.

We must protect:

• refrigerant lines;
• the insulation surrounding them;
• communication cables;
• changes in direction;
• wall penetrations.

Choosing a cover in a color close to that of the brick reduces the visual impact and gives the installation a much more structured appearance. In the photograph, the line follows the architectural elements rather than crossing the façade at random.

This finish also serves a mechanical purpose: it provides additional protection for the insulation against UV rays, accidental impacts, and the elements.

Three indoor units with a single outdoor unit

The principle of GREE Free Match R32 three-head is particularly appealing in a property where we want to condition several spaces without installing three outdoor units.

Each head can serve a separate zone. Depending on the layout of the house, these might include, for example:

1. the main living area;
2. a bedroom or a floor;
3. an office, a second bedroom, or another enclosed area.

Each indoor unit has its own temperature setting, allowing comfort to be better adapted to the occupants and how the rooms are used.

The outdoor unit is nevertheless shared by all three zones.

What outdoor capacity should be chosen for three heads?

The complete number of the photographed unit is not legible enough to precisely confirm its capacity. It would therefore be incorrect to automatically claim that it is a 24,000, 30,000, or 36,000 BTU/h unit.

The GREE specification sheet lists several outdoor units that can accommodate three indoor units:

These options and their corresponding capacities are detailed in the technical table on page 2 of the GREE documentation.

This variety explains why three heads do not correspond to a fixed outdoor capacity.

The number of heads never replaces a load calculation

Two homes equipped with three wall-mounted units may require completely different capacities.

We must consider factors such as:

• the area of each zone;
• solar orientation;
• fenestration;
• insulation;
• ceiling height;
• air infiltration;
• the number of occupants;
• the capacity required simultaneously by the three zones.

Simply adding the BTUs listed for the three indoor units is not sufficient. The outdoor unit shares its capacity among the zones requiring heating or cooling at the same time.

An oversized system can reach its setpoint very quickly and control humidity less effectively. An undersized system may lack capacity when several rooms require substantial heating simultaneously.

Efficiency of up to 21 SEER2

The Free Match R32 series documentation states efficiency of up to 21 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 10 HSPF2. The published cooling range is from -30 °C to 48 °C.

For heating, GREE indicates an outdoor operating range of -30 °C to 24 °C.

These features make the platform interesting for Quebec’s climate. Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish the minimum operating temperature of the heating capacity actually available at that temperature.

For our installations, we therefore do not select a heat pump solely because the brochure states “-30 °C.” We must verify whether the capacity available at low temperatures meets the building’s actual heat losses.

G10 modulation is particularly useful with three zones.

GREE states that the Free Match R32 series features G10 inverter technology, as well as several features such as:

• self-diagnostics;
• intelligent defrosting;
• automatic voltage adaptation;
• quiet operation;
• up to seven types of indoor units;
• an included A2L leak-detection sensor.

Compressor modulation makes it possible to adapt output to demand.

If only one head still requires substantial heating while the other two are approaching their target temperature, the outdoor unit can adjust its operation instead of always operating in an all-or-nothing mode.

This notably promotes:

• more stable temperature;
• fewer repeated starts;
• better operation at partial load;
• consumption better matched to actual needs;
• quieter operation when full capacity is not required.

This project in Ange-Gardien shows why the line routing and service access must be planned from the outset.

Three zones involve several refrigerant circuits.

Each indoor unit requires its own connection to the multi-zone system.

According to the GREE documentation, the range uses lines measuring 1/4 in. on the liquid side and 3/8 in. on the gas side.

With three heads, this means organizing several lines in an already restricted space.

Before starting any drilling, we therefore define:

• the route of each branch;
• vertical rises and drops;
• changes in direction;
• where the lines will be protected;
• the building penetration points;
• how the system will connect to the outdoor unit.

The visible result on the Ange-Gardien façade is much cleaner when this planning is done before installation rather than afterward.

Up to 100 meters of total length, depending on the outdoor unit

The GREE specifications allow relatively long line runs when a property requires them.

For systems that can accommodate a three-head configuration, the maximum total length ranges from 197 ft (60 m) to 328 ft (100 m) depending on the model. The maximum height difference ranges from 49 ft (15 m) to 82 ft (25 m).

These limits provide considerable flexibility for positioning the heads in different parts of the building.

However, they are not an invitation to use unnecessarily long lines. We prioritize a logical, accessible, and protected route.

The length of the lines can change the refrigerant charge

The table on page 2 also indicates different precharge lengths depending on the outdoor unit’s capacity, as well as the amount of additional refrigerant required when the run exceeds the conditions covered by the initial charge.

On a three-head system, this information is important because the lengths of three circuits quickly add up.

We measure the runs instead of estimating them.

Rigorous commissioning is essential

Once the piping is complete, the refrigeration work is far from finished.

Our procedure includes, among other things:

1. checking the connections;
2. leak testing;
3. evacuating the circuits;
4. validating the lengths;
5. adjusting the refrigerant charge when required;
6. checking communication between the units;
7. testing each head;
8. checking operation when several zones are calling for heating or cooling.

A multi-zone heat pump must be tested as one complete system.

R32 requires work adapted to its platform

As its name suggests, the Free Match R32 uses R32 refrigerant. The documentation also refers to a A2L leak detection sensor integrated into the platform.

Work methods, tools, and procedures must therefore be suitable for this refrigerant.

A professional installation is not simply a matter of connecting two pipes and turning on the machine. The quality of the connections, the absence of contaminants, and the correct amount of refrigerant directly affect compressor reliability and system performance.

The electrical disconnect visible on the front makes servicing easier

In the photo, the outdoor electrical enclosure is installed on the wall near the GREE unit.

This arrangement makes it possible to isolate the equipment during maintenance or repairs without relying solely on the main panel located indoors.

All outdoor units in this series operate at 208/230 V, but their current requirements differ according to capacity.

For models that can accommodate three heads, the specification sheet indicates MCA ranging from 19.5 to 30 A, while the maximum overcurrent protection ranges from 25 to 45 A.

Therefore, we never choose a breaker simply because it is a “three-head heat pump.”

The model number and rating plate are decisive.

Access to the connections influenced the machine’s position

The unit’s technical side is near the brick wall, but sufficiently clear so that the connections and panels can be reached.

This is something homeowners do not always notice when comparing locations.

A heat pump can function perfectly on the day it is installed while being extremely poorly positioned for servicing. A few years later, a simple intervention may then require moving the unit or dismantling part of the exterior finish.

We seek to avoid this problem from the outset.

Noise in a partially enclosed passage deserves particular attention

The GREE table indicates outdoor sound pressure levels of 58 to 63 dB(A) at high speed for models compatible with three indoor units.

In a passage bordered by brick, perceived noise depends greatly on the surroundings.

Hard surfaces can reflect more sound than a completely open space. That is why we consider:

• the fan orientation;
• the distance from the windows;
• the presence of parallel walls;
• vibrations transmitted through the support;
• the position of occupied rooms.

The isolators placed beneath the unit also contribute to this approach.

What to avoid after installation

The area around the heat pump must remain clear over time.

In a side passage, it may be tempting to store:

• bins;
• bicycles;
• tools;
• garbage bins;
• outdoor furniture;
• renovation materials.

None of these items should be placed directly in front of the fan or against the sides of the unit.

The area beneath the heat pump must also remain sufficiently clear to allow defrost water to drain.

A three-head installation also requires maintenance of all three indoor units.

The outdoor unit is only one part of the system.

Each indoor head has:

• a filter;
• a heat exchanger;
• a fan;
• a condensate pan;
• a drain.

All three units must therefore be maintained, even if one of them operates less often.

A very dirty filter in a single zone can reduce its airflow and give the impression that the heat pump lacks capacity, when the problem is simply maintenance of that head.

ENERGY STAR, AHRI, and rebate eligibility

Page 2 of the GREE documentation presents different AHRI numbers for ductless, ducted, and mixed configurations, as well as an ENERGY STAR identification in the technical table.

The manufacturer also mentions eligibility for local rebates.

For an actual installation in Ange-Gardien, however, we must use the exact equipment combination before confirming eligibility or an amount.

We specifically verify:

• the outdoor model;
• the three indoor models;
• the AHRI number for the combination;
• the type of building;
• the program rules in effect;
• the required documents.

This verification is essential: a general statement in a technical data sheet alone does not constitute confirmation of rebate eligibility.

Warranty: document the system’s four units

The documentation indicates a 10-year standard warranty, with an additional two-year extension from Wolseley when the product is registered and/or proof of installation is provided.

For a three-head installation, we recommend keeping:

• the model of the outdoor unit;
• the models of the three indoor units;
• all serial numbers;
• the invoice;
• the AHRI number;
• the registration documents;
• the applicable warranty conditions.

It is also necessary to distinguish a warranty on parts or the compressor from labor coverage.

The mistakes we specifically sought to avoid on this project

Enclosing the unit in the available space

A protected location is useful only if clearances remain sufficient for air and service.

Installing the outdoor unit directly on the ground

The raised position facilitates drainage and provides greater protection against snow.

Blocking the adjacent window

The unit had to integrate without turning an existing opening into an inaccessible area.

Leaving the lines visible and vulnerable

The line-set cover protects the circuits while giving the masonry a more orderly finish.

Neglecting access to the disconnect switch and valves

Service components must remain easily accessible.

Automatically choosing capacity based on the number of heads

Three zones require a load calculation, not an approximate rule.

Treating a temperature of -30 °C as a guarantee of full capacity

Operation at low temperatures must be distinguished from the capacity actually available.

A compact, but not cramped, installation

This project’sAnge-Gardien illustrates the difference between a compact installation and one that is too cramped.

The outdoor unit takes up limited space, but the decisions surrounding its placement preserve the essentials: airflow, height above the ground, technical access, line protection, and accessible electrical power.

The brown line-set cover blends into the brick, while the metal support frees up the lower area. The fan remains oriented toward the open passage rather than directly toward the wall. Everything was designed so that the heat pump will be just as practical to service years from now as it was to install on the day of the project.

At AirGreen, we apply this same method to multizone heat pumps, of wall-mounted air conditioners andHVAC installation in Ange-Gardien and Greater Montreal, particularly in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, in North Shore and on the South Shore.

With a GREE Free Match R32 three-headthe result does not depend solely on the specifications printed in the brochure. Good performance starts with sizing and continues with choosing the location, routing the lines, the support, commissioning, and future maintenance.