Installation of a 3-head GREE FREEMATCH R32 heat pump in Saint-Lambert, on Montreal’s South Shore

A multi-zone heat pump installed high on a façade already occupied by several pieces of equipment

This installation of a 3-head GREE FREEMATCH R32 heat pump in Saint-Lambert perfectly illustrates a type of project where the difficulty is not simply finding an exterior wall on which to mount the unit. On this brick rear façade, the mechanical space was already very crowded: another outdoor unit was present on the right, several ducts and cables ran across the masonry, a ventilation outlet was located above, a balcony overhung the work area, and a small roof occupied the lower part of the wall.

We therefore had to integrate the new system GREE FREEMATCH R32 in this existing environment without blocking the equipment already in place, while maintaining adequate airflow around the new outdoor unit and reasonable access for future maintenance.

The chosen solution was a wall-mounted installation on two sturdy metal brackets, at a considerable height above the ground. The outdoor unit is therefore positioned above the small roof visible at the bottom of the image, while its large fan faces an open area.

This positioning offers another particularly relevant advantage in Saint-Lambert and the South Shore : it keeps the heat pump away from the accumulations of snow, ice, and debris normally found near ground level.

A new heat pump that had to coexist with an existing outdoor unit

One of the most interesting details of this installation is immediately visible in the photo: a second, older outdoor unit is already on the wall to the right of the new GREE system.

In this type of configuration, we cannot position a new multi-zone heat pump solely according to the available space. Two outdoor units installed near each other can affect each other’s operation if their air intakes or discharges are poorly oriented.

The new GREE was therefore installed with its fan directed outward, with no obstacle immediately in front of the grille. This arrangement also prevents the new system’s discharge from being directed straight at the heat exchanger of the neighboring unit.

This consideration is important because the outdoor unit must move a considerable amount of air. Depending on the exact capacity of the GREE FREEMATCH R32 range, the published outdoor airflow varies from 2,236 to 3,413 cubic feet per minute for models that can be used in a three-head configuration.

Poor placement can promote the recirculation of air already cooled or heated by the unit. This can reduce its efficiency, increase its operating time, and complicate its operation when outdoor temperatures become extreme.

A wall-mounted installation suited to snow and defrosting

Installing the outdoor unit at height is not merely a way to save space.

In winter, a heat pump operating in heating mode periodically produces water during its defrost cycles. The FREEMATCH R32 specifically incorporates an intelligent defrost, in addition to G10 inverter technology and a self-diagnostic system.

When the outdoor unit is installed too close to the ground, defrost water can freeze beneath it. Over successive cycles and cold spells, a mass of ice can gradually rise toward the underside of the cabinet.

On this installation in Saint-Lambert, the height provided by the wall brackets leaves considerable space beneath the unit. This facilitates:

• drainage of defrost water;
• snow removal after a storm;
• inspection of the underside of the unit;
• reduced risk of contact with snowbanks;
• access to the lines and connections;
• protection against accidental impacts at ground level.

This precaution is particularly relevant for a range whose documentation states a heating operating range down to -30 °C. The published cooling range is also -30 °C to 48 °C.

Brackets that must support much more than a small wall-mounted air conditioner

A three-zone heat pump can be significantly heavier than a small single-zone system. The GREE technical data sheet lists several outdoor units compatible with a three-head installation.

The GWHD(24)ND6MO weighs 112.5 lb, the GWHD(30)ND6MO 145.5 lb, the GWHD(36)ND6MO 173.1 lb, and the GWHD(42)ND6MO 174.2 lb.

This weight acts continuously on the brackets and their anchors. The compressor’s vibrations, the movement of the fan, and the loads to which the unit may be exposed must also be considered.

We therefore never choose supports solely because they are wide enough to accommodate the heat pump’s feet.

Visible brick is not automatically the load-bearing structure

The façade of this building is made of brick masonry. However, a facing brick must not automatically be considered the structural element into which any support can be anchored.

During an HVAC installation on wall brackets, we must take the wall’s actual composition into account and choose the fastening points accordingly.

The goal is to obtain a rigid assembly that does not move when the compressor modulates its speed. Inadequate fastening can cause noise, vibrations in the building, or, over time, loosening of the anchors.

A position under the balcony that requires careful clearance management

The balcony above the heat pump is another visible constraint in this project.

Placing an outdoor unit under a structure can have certain advantages: the heat pump is less directly exposed to some debris from above. But it also requires compliance with the required clearances around the heat exchanger and above the cabinet.

We never determine these distances simply by eye. Clearances must be verified according to the installation documentation for the specific model.

Sufficient space must be maintained to:

• allow air intake around the heat exchanger;
• prevent excessive snow accumulation;
• maintain access to the panels;
• prevent the unit from being enclosed in an air pocket;
• allow the technician to work during maintenance.

The image also shows a ventilation outlet located under the balcony, to the left of the outdoor unit. A new appliance must not obstruct this type of existing equipment or make its maintenance impossible.

Three indoor units with a single outdoor unit

The project is based on a 3-head heat pump, in other words, a multi-zone system allowing three indoor units to share the same outdoor unit.

This makes it possible to condition three distinct areas of the building without installing three separate compressors on the façade.

In a multi-level property or one with several enclosed rooms, this configuration can be particularly appealing. Each indoor unit can adjust its airflow and setpoint temperature to the zone it serves.

However, a common misunderstanding should be avoided: three heads do not automatically mean three times the capacity of one indoor unit.

The FREEMATCH R32 range includes several outdoor units that can accommodate three units:

• GWHD(24)ND6MO: 2 to 3 indoor units, with a rated cooling capacity of 24,000 BTU/h;
• GWHD(30)ND6MO: 2 to 4 units, with a rated capacity of 28,400 BTU/h;
• GWHD(36)ND6MO: 2 to 4 units, with a rated capacity of 36,000 BTU/h;
• GWHD(42)ND6MO: 2 to 5 units, with a rated capacity of 42,000 BTU/h.

Because the exact model number of the outdoor unit shown in the photo is not legible enough to identify it with certainty, we do not arbitrarily assign it a BTU rating.

This is precisely what we also do when preparing an estimate: we avoid choosing a capacity based on an approximate rule or solely on the number of heads.

Sizing, connections and performance: what we verify on a three-zone FREEMATCH R32

Up to 21 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 depending on the configuration

GREE documentation indicates performance for the FREEMATCH R32 range of up to 21 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 10 HSPF2.

The technical data sheet also indicates 21 SEER2 and 10 HSPF2 for the various outdoor units shown, while EER2 ranges from 12 to 12.5 depending on the model.

These figures must nevertheless be interpreted with the actual combination of indoor units. A multi-zone heat pump is not a single standalone appliance: certified performance depends on the outdoor-indoor combination used.

That is why we pay particular attention to the AHRI number of the complete combination.

Why a three-head heat pump should not be oversized

Oversizing remains one of the most common errors in multi-zone projects.

Imagine three indoor units nominally assigned to three different rooms. Simply adding their rated capacities and choosing an outdoor unit corresponding to the total does not necessarily result in proper sizing.

We instead examine:

• the area and volume of each space;
• sun exposure;
• the number and size of the windows;
• insulation;
• the floor;
• air infiltration;
• the desired indoor temperature;
• the likelihood that all three zones will demand their maximum capacity simultaneously.

An oversized unit may run shorter cycles in cooling mode and reduce dehumidification quality. Conversely, an undersized unit may lack capacity when several zones require substantial heating during a cold period.

A G10 inverter compressor to modulate capacity

The FREEMATCH R32 uses G10 Inverter.

Instead of operating only at full capacity and then shutting off, the compressor can adapt its speed to demand. This modulation is particularly relevant in a three-zone system.

If only one room requires little heating, the demand is not the same as when all three indoor units operate simultaneously. The compressor adjusts its operation within the range permitted by the combination.

This promotes longer, more consistent operating periods, which can contribute to more stable comfort.

Up to 100 metres of piping, but not on all models

The documentation states that the maximum total length can reach 100 m, but this limit applies to the largest model in the range.

For models that can serve three heads, the published limits are 60 m for the 24,000 BTU model, 80 m for the 28,400 and 36,000 BTU models, and 100 m for the 42,000 BTU model. The maximum permitted height difference is 15 m for the 24,000 BTU model and 25 m for the three higher capacities.

This distinction is essential in a multi-zone system.

The total length is the sum of the runs to the three indoor units. One indoor unit may be relatively close to the compressor, while another is located much farther away in the building.

A refrigerant charge that also depends on the actual length

The technical data sheet also specifies a different precharged piping length for each outdoor unit, as well as an additional refrigerant charge when that length is exceeded.

Therefore, for a three-head installation, we must properly document the lengths rather than assume that the factory charge is automatically sufficient.

Our commissioning process includes leak testing, evacuation, verification of the connections, confirmation that each refrigerant circuit corresponds to its communication wiring, and testing of the various indoor units.

The FREEMATCH R32 also includes an A2L leak detection sensor, according to the manufacturer’s documentation.

A 208/230 V power supply to be determined according to the exact model

All outdoor units shown in the specification sheet operate on 208/230 V. However, their electrical requirements are not identical.

For models that can serve three heads, the minimum circuit ampacity ranges from 19.5 to 30 A, and the maximum overcurrent protection ranges from 25 to 45 A, depending on the model.

That is why we never determine a circuit breaker solely from the term “three heads” or an approximate capacity. The model number and nameplate must guide the electrical work.

In the photo of this installation in Saint-Lambert, several electrical components are already present on the wall. This equipment density makes planning the new routing even more important: the system must remain accessible without creating a tangle of cables, conduits, and refrigerant lines.

Noise and vibrations: an essential consideration when mounting the unit to the building

The published sound pressure levels vary by outdoor unit. They are 58 dB(A) for the 24,000 BTU unit, 62 dB(A) for the 28,400 BTU unit, and 63 dB(A) for the 36,000 and 42,000 BTU models under the specified measurement conditions.

However, this value does not tell the whole story when a heat pump is mounted on a wall.

An outdoor unit may produce relatively little airborne noise, but inadequate mounting can transmit vibration to the masonry and interior structure.

During commissioning, we therefore observe the installation's mechanical behavior at several operating levels. A vibration that does not appear at low speed may emerge when the compressor increases its capacity.

A multi-zone system must be tested as a whole

The installation is not complete simply because the three indoor units are blowing air.

We test each zone individually, then several zones at the same time. This verifies that each indoor unit communicates with the correct refrigerant circuit and that the system responds properly when demand increases.

A mix-up between two communication cables or two refrigerant line sets can be much more difficult to diagnose once the job is complete. The full test identifies it immediately.

We also explain an important feature of multi-zone systems to occupants: the units can have their own settings, but they generally share the same primary mode. Therefore, we avoid requesting heating from one head and cooling from another at the same time.

LogisVert: verify the exact AHRI number rather than just the ENERGY STAR logo

The FREEMATCH R32 technical page provides numbers Distinct AHRI numbers for non-ducted, ducted, and mixed configurations. For the 24,000, 28,400, 36,000, and 42,000 BTU outdoor units, the listed non-ducted AHRI numbers are 214931587, 214931588, 214931589, and 214931590, respectively.

This information becomes important for an application LogisVert.

Hydro-Québec specifies that a heat pump installed since November 26, 2025, must be ENERGY STAR certified to be eligible and recommends conducting the search using the AHRI number or the unique ENERGY STAR number. The application must be submitted within nine months of installation.

When all conditions are met, Hydro-Québec currently indicates assistance of $50 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C for an ENERGY STAR heat pump, or $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C for an ENERGY STAR – Cold Climate heat pump. Some eligible multi-unit residential installations may qualify for up to $220 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C through the bonus available since June 15, 2026.

However, we cannot state the subsidy amount for this installation based on the photograph alone. The exact outdoor model, the three indoor units, their certified combination, and the home’s circumstances must be confirmed.

FREEMATCH R32 warranty: keep the complete system information

The GREE documentation indicates a 10-year standard warranty and an additional two-year extension through Wolseley when the registration or proof-of-installation requirements are met. The visual on the second page presents this coverage as a “10 + 2 year” warranty on the compressor and parts.

For a three-head system, we recommend keeping the model and serial numbers for the outdoor unit and all three indoor units, the invoice, the AHRI certificate, and proof of registration in the same file.

It is also important to distinguish the manufacturer’s parts warranty from any labor or travel coverage provided separately.

What this Saint-Lambert installation particularly demonstrates

This installation is interesting because it is not on a blank façade specially prepared for a heat pump.

We had to integrate the new GREE FREEMATCH R32 three-head between existing equipment, beneath a balcony, and above a small roof, while maintaining unobstructed airflow and an accessible installation.

Wall mounting recovers the space below and keeps the unit away from the snow. The brackets hold the heat pump up off the ground. The fan faces outward. Nearby equipment remains accessible. The connections are grouped on the technical side of the unit rather than scattered across the front.

This is exactly the type of project where installation quality is just as important as the product’s technical specifications.

At AirGreen, we carry out installations of multi-zone heat pumps, wall-mounted air conditioners, and HVAC systems to Saint-Lambert, Longueuil, and everywhere on the South Shore, as well as Montréal, Laval, and the North ShoreWe adapt the sizing, supports, refrigerant line routes, and outdoor layout to the building’s actual constraints so that the system remains easy to maintain and performs well throughout the seasons.