A multi-zone installation designed around a wooden balcony, a brick façade, and a long piping route
For this installation completed in Upton, in Montérégie, our team had to integrate a 3-head GREE Free Match R32 heat pump at a residence where the outdoor location did not resemble the traditional open ground-level area. The outdoor unit had to be placed directly on an elevated wooden balcony, near a patio door, a large window, a brick façade, and a railing.
The site photograph clearly shows the result: the GREE condenser is installed on an elevated metal support, while the lines are grouped inside a line-hide that runs vertically along the façade before continuing horizontally beneath the roof.
This type of project requires much more than simply choosing a location. On a balcony, we must consider the unit’s weight, vibrations, airflow clearance, water drainage during defrost cycles, occupants’ daily passage, and the access required for future HVAC work.HVAC maintenance.
The GREE Free Match R32 system adds another dimension to the project: a single outdoor unit must supply three distinct zones of the home. The refrigerant lines therefore had to be organized coherently from the outset.
Why the balcony was a logical location on this property
The space available along this façade was already defined by the building’s architecture. The residence has brick siding, a relatively narrow wooden terrace, and several openings.
Placing the outdoor unit on the balcony made it possible to bring the system closer to the areas it serves while avoiding an unnecessarily complicated outdoor route.
However, this decision required us to protect the terrace’s normal use. A heat pump must not turn a balcony into an inaccessible technical space.
We therefore looked for a configuration that would preserve:
- a passage to the door;
- use of the terrace;
- access to the appliance’s service panel;
- an unobstructed area in front of the fan;
- clearance around the coil;
- sufficient clearance beneath the unit for winter operation;
- a piping route organized against the wall.
In the photo, the table and chairs remain usable at the back of the balcony. The unit occupies a side portion of the deck rather than its center, limiting its impact on the layout.
Why we raised the GREE unit
The support visible beneath the heat pump plays a particularly important role in a region where the system must operate during the winter.
Even on a balcony, an outdoor unit installed directly on the floor can become surrounded by snow, ice, and water from defrost cycles.
When the heat pump heats the house in cold weather, the outdoor coil can accumulate frost. The system then periodically initiates a defrost cycle. The resulting water must be able to leave the unit without forming a mass of ice directly beneath its chassis.
Raising the unit provides, among other benefits:
- to maintain space beneath the heat pump;
- to reduce the risk of being buried in accumulated snow;
- to improve access for cleaning;
- to limit direct contact with a damp wooden floor;
- to provide more room for defrost water drainage;
On a balcony, this water must also be considered in relation to the surface and traffic areas. A puddle that freezes in front of a patio door quickly becomes a safety hazard.
Wood and vibrations: an issue we take seriously
A wooden balcony responds differently to vibrations than a concrete slab.
Even a relatively quiet heat pump can transmit mechanical vibration through a rigid support. This vibration can then travel through the deck and become noticeable inside the house.
We therefore place great importance on support stability, leveling the unit, and using appropriate support points.
In the photo, insulating elements can be seen between the heat pump’s feet and the metal structure. Their purpose is to help limit the direct transmission of vibrations.
A proper installation is not solely intended to make the unit quiet when standing beside it. It must also prevent the building structure from amplifying certain frequencies.
Positioning near a patio door requires careful space planning.
The proximity of a patio door requires special attention.
We must ensure that the heat pump does not:
- interfere with door opening;
- unnecessarily direct a high volume of air toward the access point;
- block passage;
- complicate façade cleaning;
- prevents future work on the door or window.
The system must also remain accessible enough for a technician to remove the service panels without having to move part of the balcony.
This notion of accessibility is particularly important with a multi-zone heat pump, since the outdoor unit has several connections associated with the different indoor units.
A line-set cover that follows the architecture instead of cutting across the façade
A particularly visible element of this project is the route of the line-set cover.
Rather than allowing several pipes to run separately along the brick, we grouped them in an exterior conduit. It rises vertically beside the window, then changes direction near the top of the wall before continuing horizontally beneath the roof.
This configuration offers both a functional and an architectural advantage.
On a brick façade highly visible from the balcony, several exposed pipes would have created a noticeably more cluttered appearance. The line-set cover makes it possible to bring the technical components required for the system together along a single route.
Depending on the actual configuration of the three zones, this route can protect:
- the refrigerant lines;
- their insulation;
- the communication cables;
- certain sections of the drainage;
- the penetrations into the building interior.
The direction change must be made without crushing the copper or imposing excessively tight bends. This step is particularly important when several circuits must follow the same route.
A three-head heat pump involves more piping than a simple system
With a single-head heat pump, we generally work with a single set of pipes between the evaporator and the condenser.
With this GREE Free Match R32 three-head systemwe need to manage three zones.
This means that route planning becomes an important part of the project. Poor organization can quickly result in a cluttered façade or create unnecessary lengths.
We aim to connect each zone using a logical route while taking into account:
- the permissible total length;
- the height differences;
- the number of direction changes;
- the drainage options;
- the interior spaces crossed;
- the accessibility of the connections.
GREE documentation indicates, depending on the selected outdoor unit, a maximum total pipe length ranging from 40 to 100 metreswith a maximum elevation difference ranging from 15 to 25 metres.
These limits are generous enough for many multi-zone projects, but they still need to be calculated before installation.
Three heads do not automatically mean 36,000 BTU/h
When a homeowner hears “three-head heat pump,” they may easily assume that there is a single outdoor capacity associated with this configuration.
That is not the case.
The Free Match R32 range presented in the documentation includes the following models, among others, that can accommodate three indoor units:
| GREE outdoor unit | Permitted number of indoor units | Nominal cooling capacity | Nominal heating capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| GWHD(24)ND6MO | 2 to 3 | 24,000 BTU/h | 24,000 BTU/h |
| GWHD(30)ND6MO | 2 to 4 | 28,400 BTU/h | 30,000 BTU/h |
| GWHD(36)ND6MO | 2 to 4 | 36,000 BTU/h | 36,000 BTU/h |
| GWHD(42)ND6MO | 2 to 5 | 42,000 BTU/h | 44,300 BTU/h |
The technical table on page 2 confirms these different capacities and the number of indoor units that can be connected to each condenser.
The nameplate visible in the photograph is not legible enough to identify with certainty which of these models was installed on this Upton project. We therefore prefer not to assign a capacity that cannot be visually confirmed.
Sizing is done room by room
The number of heads should never be the starting point for calculating BTUs.
We first assess the needs of the zones to be served.
A bedroom located upstairs does not necessarily have the same loads as a large south-facing living room. A room with extensive glazing may require a different capacity from a room of the same area located on the shaded side.
Among the factors we consider:
- area;
- interior volume;
- insulation quality;
- windows;
- orientation;
- sun exposure;
- the floor;
- air infiltration;
- the use of the room;
- winter heat loss.
We then choose a combination of three indoor units compatible with the outdoor unit.
A single outdoor unit for three zones: an obvious advantage on this balcony
The photograph makes it immediately clear that one of the main advantages of a multi-zone system in this configuration is
Imagine three different condensers installed on the same terrace.
The space available for passage would have been considerably reduced, and the façade would have required more brackets, pipes, and electrical equipment.
The GREE Free Match R32 rather concentrates heating and cooling production in a single outdoor unit.
Depending on the product range, the units can accommodate two to five indoor units.
For this Upton property, the three-head configuration can therefore serve several spaces while preserving much of the balcony.
The three zones each retain their own temperature control
Each indoor head can be adjusted separately.
The owner can therefore adjust the temperature of a bedroom differently from that of the living room or another area of the residence.
However, this does not mean that the three zones have three independent compressors.
They share the same outdoor unit. The available capacity is therefore distributed among the active zones, and the indoor units must operate in compatible modes. With this type of residential multi-zone system, it is normally not possible to request heating in one room and cooling in another at the same time.
The performance of the GREE Free Match R32 adapted to Quebec’s climate
The technical data sheet provided for this range advertises up to 21 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 10 HSPF2. It also indicates an operating range of -30 °C to 48 °C in cooling mode and -30 °C to 24 °C in heating mode.
These figures are particularly interesting for a system intended to operate during a large part of the year in Quebec.
The table on page 2 specifies a SEER2 of 21 and an HSPF2 of 10 for the five models presented, while the EER2 varies between 12 and 12.5 depending on the outdoor unit.
However, the minimum operating temperature remains different from the capacity available at that temperature. To properly choose a heat pump in Upton, the low-temperature performance must be compared with the building’s actual heat loss.
What this balcony installation teaches us about the durability of a multi-zone system
The clearance around the condenser must remain unobstructed after we leave
An installation can be perfectly completed and then lose some of its efficiency if the owner completely changes the environment around the unit.
On a balcony, this situation is common.
Furniture, storage boxes, a barbecue, plants, or other objects may gradually be placed around the condenser.
The following must not be obstructed:
- the front of the fan;
- the sides of the coil;
- access to the panels;
- the area beneath the unit;
- the path allowing the technician to carry out servicing.
The table and chairs visible in the photograph are placed farther away on the balcony. This separation is important to maintain a technical clearance around the unit.
The leaves and vegetation must also be monitored
The property is surrounded by mature vegetation.
Trees provide shade and contribute to the character of the property, but they also bring leaves, seeds, and debris that can accumulate around the coil.
A simple seasonal inspection can verify that:
- the coil remains clear;
- no branch is touching the fan;
- leaves are not blocking the base;
- the drain is not obstructed.
Cleaning the exterior of a heat pump does not mean directing a high-pressure jet at the coil. The fins are relatively fragile and can become deformed.
Winter operation on a balcony requires attention to defrosting
When the heat pump operates in heating mode, the defrost cycle can produce a significant amount of water.
This water can freeze on the wooden floor if it has no drainage path.
The owner must therefore periodically monitor the area beneath the unit during freezing periods and prevent ice from building up to the base of the heat pump.
The raised support visible in this installation provides an additional margin that is particularly valuable in this context.
The line lengths affect the R32 charge
GREE documentation indicates different precharged line lengths depending on the unit's capacity: 10 m, 30 m, 40 m, or 50 m depending on the model. When an additional amount is required, the table indicates 20 g of R32 per additional metre.
With a three-head system, we therefore cannot simply estimate the route visually.
We need to measure the lines.
This step determines whether the factory charge is sufficient or whether an adjustment is necessary.
An incorrect amount of refrigerant can affect:
- capacity;
- efficiency;
- circuit temperatures;
- compressor operation;
- long-term reliability.
R32 and the A2L sensor
The first page of the GREE data sheet mentions a A2L leak detection sensor included, as well as G10 Inverter technology, intelligent defrosting, self-diagnosis, and automatic voltage adjustment.
These features obviously do not replace proper commissioning.
We always perform the necessary work on the refrigerant connections: copper preparation, proper tightening, leak testing, evacuation, and system testing.
Even the best equipment cannot compensate for an improperly made refrigerant connection.
The electrical circuit depends on the exact model
All outdoor units presented in the specification sheet operate at 208/230 V, but their electrical requirements are not identical.
The MCA ranges from 14.5 to 30 A across the full range, while the maximum overcurrent protection ranges from 20 to 45 A.
Among the models capable of supporting three heads:
- the GWHD(24)ND6MO indicates an MCA of 19.5 A and an MOCP of 25 A;
- the GWHD(30)ND6MO indicates 23 A and 35 A;
- the GWHD(36)ND6MO and GWHD(42)ND6MO indicate 30 A and 45 A.
The circuit breaker must therefore never be selected simply by saying, “it’s a three-head unit.”
We work from the nameplate and the data for the model actually installed.
The noise perceived on a deck does not depend solely on the advertised decibel levels
The specification sheet indicates a high-speed sound pressure level ranging from 54 to 63 dB(A), depending on the condenser size.
On a balcony, acoustic perception also depends on the surroundings.
The brick façade, wooden floor, railing, and nearby surfaces can reflect or transmit certain frequencies. A unit that seems quiet on a slab in the middle of a property may behave differently on an elevated structure.
That is why positioning and anti-vibration measures are an integral part of our work.
The mistakes we avoid on an installation like the one in Upton
Placing the condenser directly on the balcony floor
This reduces the clearance beneath the unit and increases the risks associated with snow, moisture, and defrost ice.
Running three separate circuits along the façade
An disorganized piping route complicates servicing and significantly detracts from the building's appearance.
Installing the unit too close to the door
The deck must remain usable, and the passageway must not become uncomfortable.
Blocking the fan with furniture
A condenser requires a large volume of air. The deck must be arranged with a clear area maintained around it.
Neglecting vibrations from the wooden floor
Wood can transmit vibrations. The stability of the support and mechanical isolation must be considered from the outset of installation.
Choosing the capacity solely by adding the three heads
Sizing must take into account the actual requirements and the available capacity of the outdoor unit.
Ignoring the total length of the copper piping
The manufacturer's limits and the refrigerant charge must be calculated based on the actual installed piping route.
AHRI and ENERGY STAR: several references depending on the configuration
The table on page 2 presents different numbers AHRI for ductless, ducted, and mixed configurations. For ductless models, the references range from 214931586 to 214931590 depending on the outdoor condenser. The documentation also indicates ENERGY STAR for the models presented.
This means that a homeowner wishing to verify financial assistance should not search only for “GREE Free Match R32.”
The exact combination installed, including the outdoor model and indoor units.
The sheet also indicates that the systems may be eligible for local rebates.
Since programs and their criteria may change, we verify the applicable conditions for the actual combination before confirming eligibility.
A warranty to document from the time of installation
The documentation indicates a 10-year standard warranty and mentions an additional two-year extension with Wolseley when the registration and/or proof-of-installation requirements are met.
We therefore recommend carefully keeping:
- the installation invoice;
- the outdoor unit model;
- the three head models;
- the serial numbers;
- the applicable AHRI references;
- the registration documents;
- the nameplate photos.
This information can become essential several years after the work is completed.
An installation that respects both the building and the heat pump
This project in Upton shows clearly that a multi-zone installation is not simply a matter of attaching three heads to the walls and placing a condenser outside.
Here, we had to work around a wooden terrace, a patio door, a window, a brick façade, a significant vertical route, and an outdoor space used daily by the occupants.
The result relies on several complementary choices: an elevated outdoor unit, a stable support, a consolidated piping route, a clean change of direction beneath the roof, and enough space to keep the terrace functional.
At AirGreen, we apply the same approach to our heat pumps, multi-zone systems, and wall-mounted air conditioners in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, in North Shore, the South Shore and in the surrounding municipalities of Montérégie.
Every building imposes its own constraints. In Upton, the project's success depended on making a GREE Free Match R32 three-head heat pump with an already landscaped balcony, without sacrificing passage, the façade finish, technical access, or the quality of winter operation.