In Côte Saint-Luc, a compact central installation where service access, the brick façade, and outdoor clearance guided every decision SEGMENTS
In Côte Saint-Luc, on the Island of Montreal, we installed a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in a residence where the outdoor positioning had to be carefully planned. As is often the case in Montreal’s densely populated residential areas, it was not enough to find a place where the unit could physically fit. We had to preserve access around the house, respect the existing electrical components, organize the lines neatly, and maintain sufficient space for the system’s operation and maintenance.
The project photograph shows the service side of the MIDEA outdoor unit, installed against a brick façade on an elevated metal bracket. The refrigerant connections, insulated lines, wiring, electrical disconnect switch, and the way the entire assembly was grouped close to the building are clearly visible.
This is precisely the kind of project that illustrates our approach at AirGreen: a good HVAC installation is not limited to choosing a high-performance heat pump. We must also consider its integration into the building for the next fifteen years, not just on the day it is commissioned.
The EVOX G3 belongs to MIDEA’s range of Inverter ducted central systems, developed in particular for modernizing and replacing existing central heating systems.
An outdoor installation adapted to a tight residential environment
In areas such as Côte Saint-Luc, the space available around a house can quickly become a constraint.
There may already be:
- an electrical entrance;
- existing lines;
- basement windows;
- a side passage;
- a terrace;
- a fence;
- a relatively narrow service access.
For this project, we chose to keep the heat pump very close to the façade without sacrificing the essential clearances.
The unit is installed at height, freeing up ground space and allowing the connections beneath and behind the unit to be better organized.
The wall bracket: a technical choice, not just an aesthetic one
The outdoor unit rests on a metal bracket attached to the building.
This configuration offers several advantages in our climate.
It allows the equipment to be moved away:
- accumulated snow;
- surface water;
- soil;
- leaves;
- grass clippings;
- persistent moisture near the ground.
The clearance beneath the unit is also particularly important during winter defrost cycles.
When a heat pump operates in cold weather, frost may form on the outdoor heat exchanger. The system must then temporarily reverse its cycle to remove this frost.
The water resulting from this defrost must be able to flow freely.
A unit installed too low may eventually become surrounded by accumulated ice. By keeping the EVOX G3 above the ground, we reduce this risk and retain more space for natural drainage.
The service side remains intentionally accessible
The angle of the photograph shows an aspect often overlooked during installation: future access to the system.
The valves, panels, and several connections are located on the side of the heat pump visible in the photo.
We must therefore avoid positioning this side directly against:
- a perpendicular wall;
- a fence;
- a shed;
- a staircase;
- a permanent structure.
A heat pump can operate properly for several years without major service, but it will inevitably need to be inspected, cleaned, or diagnosed one day.
At AirGreen, we always prefer to plan for this maintenance during installation rather than create a future problem just to save a few centimetres today.
Grouped and protected refrigeration connections
The lines visible in the photo connect directly to the building.
The larger line is insulated, as it should be, to limit heat loss and condensation.
When a central heat pump is installed, we must also comply with:
- line diameter;
- the maximum permitted length;
- elevation difference;
- bend radii;
- insulation;
- line protection;
- the refrigerant charge;
- evacuation procedures.
A modern outdoor unit may deliver excellent performance on paper, but improper refrigeration installation can compromise some of these benefits.
R-454B: an important feature of the EVOX G3
The MIDEA EVOX G3 uses R-454B refrigerant.
MIDEA states that it chose this A2L refrigerant for its EVOX central system lineup and assigns it a global warming potential, or GWP, of 466.
This involves certain differences compared with older generations of R-410A systems.
Installation and service practices must be adapted to R-454B, including:
- the tools used;
- recovery;
- evacuation;
- leak detection;
- handling;
- safety procedures.
For us, this transition is now part of the daily work involved in the latest generations of central heat pumps.
A horizontal discharge suited to compact residential installations
The EVOX G3 uses a horizontal discharge configuration.
MIDEA describes this design as a combination of a horizontal fan and a vertical heat exchanger, intended to promote uniform airflow through the heat exchanger and improve system performance as the outdoor temperature drops.
This design is particularly interesting in residential settings where a traditional top-discharge unit might be less practical.
However, clearances must be respected.
We always avoid pointing the fan directly toward a nearby obstacle, such as:
- a wall;
- an opaque fence;
- a very dense hedge;
- another condenser.
The air must be able to leave the unit without immediately returning to the heat exchanger.
Performance designed for cold climates
In Côte Saint-Luc, a central heat pump must do much more than cool a home in July.
Winter is an essential part of the sizing process.
MIDEA announces continuous operation down to -30 °C for the EVOX G3 platform. The documentation also presents, depending on the conditions and model tested, a heating capacity of up to 100% at -25 °C, with a COP of up to 1.9. Some of these figures are based on a 3-ton MIDEA system.
MIDEA also explains that, when conditions become very cold, the compressor technology uses intermediate-temperature vapor injection to increase the amount of compressed refrigerant and support heat production.
This is precisely the type of feature we look at when a central heat pump must provide a significant portion of the heating for a Montreal residence.
Inverter technology that adjusts its capacity to actual needs
An older conventional central heat pump may operate according to a relatively simple logic: running at full capacity, then stopping.
The Inverter enables much more gradual operation.
When the home requires less heating or cooling, the compressor can reduce its operating speed.
When demand increases, it can speed up.
This modulation generally helps to:
- stabilize the indoor temperature;
- reduce frequent cycles;
- improve comfort;
- adjust the output to actual conditions;
- limit unnecessary peaks when demand is low.
In a Côte Saint-Luc residence where the central system distributes air to several rooms, this modulating behavior can be particularly beneficial.
The capacities available in the EVOX G3 family
The MIDEA brochure presents several capacities in this generation.
It notably includes configurations around:
- 18 000 BTU/h;
- 24 000 BTU/h;
- 30 000 BTU/h;
- 36 000 BTU/h;
- 48 000 BTU/h;
- 54,000 BTU/h.
However, we never determine an installation's tonnage solely from the physical size of the equipment.
For this installation in Côte Saint-Luc, the exact model number is not legible enough in the photograph to confidently assign a specific capacity.
We therefore prefer not to make up a figure.
The exact performance depends on the installed combination
For the EVOX G3 line, MIDEA announces values of up to:
- 19 SEER2;
- 12.5 EER2;
- 10.8 HSPF2;
- COP of 2.14 at 5 °F, or approximately -15 °C.
The technical tables nevertheless clearly show that performance varies according to capacity.
Among the documented configurations:
- 18,000 BTU: 19 SEER2;
- 24,000 BTU: 18.6 SEER2;
- 30,000 BTU: 17.2 SEER2;
- 36,000 BTU: 17.7 SEER2;
- 48,000 BTU: 17.5 SEER2;
- 54,000 BTU: 17.5 SEER2.
This distinction is important when a homeowner compares quotes.
Two EVOX G3 systems can belong to the same family while having different certified performance ratings.
Inside the home, the duct system matters just as much as the outdoor unit
A central heat pump works with the entire HVAC system
The photograph shows only the outdoor unit, but it cannot operate on its own.
A central heat pump works with an air handler and a duct system that distribute heating and cooling throughout the home.
We must therefore also check:
- supply ducts;
- air returns;
- grilles;
- static pressure;
- filtration;
- the fan settings.
An excellent heat pump connected to an undersized duct system can produce disappointing results.
Computational Constant Airflow 2.0
The EVOX G3 incorporates a technology called Computational Constant Airflow 2.0.
In its examples, MIDEA shows that the blower can automatically adjust its output to maintain airflow despite variations in duct-system pressure. The documentation notably illustrates an airflow of 1,200 CFM maintained between 0.4 and 1.2 in. of total static pressure in the scenarios presented.
The platform also offers up to 60 airflow adjustment levels.
This flexibility is very useful when replacing an old furnace or central heat pump in an existing home.
Adaptive airflow does not replace properly sized ductwork
This technology does not mean that a poor duct system automatically becomes high-performing.
If a return is far too small, if a duct is crushed, or if several grilles are blocked, we must correct the problem.
The blower can compensate for certain reasonable variations, but it cannot circumvent the laws of airflow.
That is why we always evaluate the entire system.
An indoor unit designed to facilitate renovations
MIDEA designed the EVOX G3 to replace certain existing systems.
The documentation presents an indoor unit capable, depending on the configuration, of operating at 115 V or 208/230 V, with a width close to several standard central furnace sizes.
In an existing home in Côte Saint-Luc, this can greatly simplify an upgrade.
Fewer modifications may be required for:
- the plenum;
- the ductwork;
- the mechanical space;
- the indoor unit's power supply.
Nevertheless, we always verify the actual dimensions before installation.
A modular design suited to Montreal basements
The EVOX G3 indoor unit can be installed in several orientations.
MIDEA presents configurations including:
- upflow;
- downflow;
- left horizontal;
- straight horizontal;
- low-boy for areas with limited height.
This flexibility is particularly useful in existing basements, where we sometimes have to work around:
- beams;
- plumbing;
- a water heater;
- existing ductwork;
- a low ceiling.
MERV 13 filtration: an interesting option in a central system
The EVOX G3 can also be paired with a filtration module compatible with 1-, 2-, or 4-inch MERV 13 filters, depending on the configuration.
Finer filtration can help capture more:
- dust;
- pollen;
- particles;
- pet hair and dander.
However, we must monitor static pressure.
A more efficient filter can also create greater resistance to airflow.
Communicating thermostat or 24 V control
The EVOX G3 platform provides different control strategies.
MIDEA documents, among other things:
- communication 485;
- the 24 V control;
- Sub-1 GHz wireless communication between certain EVOX components.
In a renovation in Côte Saint-Luc, this flexibility can be very useful when the existing thermostat wiring is difficult to replace without opening the walls.
Auxiliary heating: size it according to the home
The EVOX G3 documentation also presents auxiliary heating kits that can reach 25 kW, depending on the configuration.
Bigger is not automatically better.
We size the backup heating according to:
- the home's heat losses;
- the heat pump's capacity at low temperatures;
- the electrical panel capacity;
- the desired indoor temperature;
- the control strategy.
An unnecessarily oversized resistance heater can significantly increase electrical demand during cold snaps.
The mistakes we want to avoid when installing a central system in Côte Saint-Luc
Installing the outdoor unit too close to the ground
Snow and defrost water must be considered before the first winter.
Blocking the service side
A compact installation must remain accessible.
Using the range’s maximum SEER2 as a universal figure
Each combination has its own performance specifications.
Replacing an old unit without checking the ductwork
The ductwork is an integral part of performance.
Choosing capacity based solely on square footage
We must also take into account the insulation, windows, airtightness, and building configuration.
Neglecting the electrical supply
The condenser, indoor unit, and auxiliary heating system must be compatible with the available electrical capacity.
Financial assistance: verify the exact combination before promising an amount
The MIDEA EVOX G3 trade name alone is not enough to confirm eligibility or the amount of a subsidy.
For an installation in Côte Saint-Luc, we must verify:
- the exact outdoor unit model;
- the exact indoor unit model;
- the AHRI number;
- the recognized heating capacity;
- the requirements of the program in effect at the time of installation.
We always prefer to work from this data rather than attribute to the customer the amount associated with another EVOX G3 configuration.
An installation designed for today, but also for the years ahead
This MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump installation in Côte Saint-Luc clearly reflects how we work at AirGreen.
We have a modern outdoor unit using R-454B, installed on an elevated support, with the lines grouped together, the disconnect switch nearby, and the service side left accessible.
Indoors, the central system must then be adapted to the ductwork, static pressure, filtration, and the home’s heating and cooling needs.
EVOX G3 technology notably provides:
- the Inverter;
- operation advertised down to -30 °C;
- the R-454B refrigerant;
- advanced airflow management;
- several indoor installation configurations;
- different control options.
Our role at AirGreen is to make all these elements work as one coherent system.
We install central heat pumps in Côte Saint-Luc, as well as in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, adapting each project to the building’s actual constraints.
In a home where the outdoor space, existing walls, and equipment already in place leave little room for improvisation, the quality of the result lies precisely in these details.