In Dollard-des-Ormeaux, a wall-bracket installation designed for snow, defrosting, and an already very busy outdoor space
This MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump installation in Dollard-des-Ormeaux perfectly illustrates the type of project where the outdoor location must be studied as carefully as the choice of equipment.
In the construction photo, we see a Midea outdoor unit installed against a facade composed of brick in the upper section and concrete in the lower section. On the left, a mature hedge extends into the mechanical area. Above the unit, the protected refrigerant lines run vertically along the wall. A rigid conduit also passes through the facade behind the heat pump, while the temporarily visible wiring shows that the photo was taken during the work, before the installation was fully completed.
Rather than placing the condenser directly on the ground, we used two elevated metal wall brackets. This decision provides good clearance beneath the unit, limits clutter at ground level, and better prepares the installation for the winter conditions of the West Island.
The MIDEA EVOX G3 platform is designed as an inverter ducted central system intended in particular for heating and air conditioning modernization projects. The documentation provided presents it as a replacement and upgrade solution for central systems.
Why we chose a wall-mounted installation rather than a ground-level slab
At first glance, the site seems to offer enough space to place a heat pump in front of the foundation. In practice, however, several factors make a wall-mounted installation much more appealing.
The vegetation already occupies the left side of the area. A ground installation would have brought the unit closer to the soil, leaves, branches, and snow accumulation. It would also have created an additional obstacle in front of the wall.
By installing the heat pump on metal brackets, we gain several advantages:
- significant clearance beneath the outdoor unit;
- better separation between the condenser and the ground;
- less proximity to vegetation;
- easier access underneath the unit;
- more space to manage the water produced during defrosting;
- a more compact layout along the building.
In Dollard-des-Ormeaux, as throughout Greater Montreal, the installation height of a heat pump used for heating becomes particularly important when snow accumulates against the foundation.
Winter defrosting is not a secondary detail
A central heat pump used for heating draws energy from the outdoor air. Depending on the temperature and humidity, frost may form on the outdoor heat exchanger.
The system must then periodically perform a defrost cycle.
The water resulting from this process falls beneath the unit and may then refreeze. An installation that is too low leaves very little space for this water and for the ice that may form after several cycles.
The visible clearance beneath the MIDEA at this Dollard-des-Ormeaux job therefore directly contributes to preparing the installation for winter.
However, this does not mean that a homeowner can completely ignore the outdoor area. Snow must always be cleared around the condenser when it begins to reduce the space needed for airflow.
The nearby hedge: an easily underestimated constraint
The photo shows dense vegetation on the left side of the unit.
A hedge or shrub near a heat pump is not necessarily a problem, provided it is maintained and does not eventually encroach on the heat exchanger area.
Over time, we want to prevent branches from:
- come closer to the coils;
- reduce air intake;
- trap leaves against the cabinet;
- make it more difficult to open the panels;
- interfere with HVAC maintenance.
We therefore recommend keeping a clean, unobstructed area around the unit, particularly in spring and fall when plant debris accumulates more quickly.
The front fan must always be able to discharge air freely
The MIDEA EVOX G3 uses an outdoor horizontal discharge design, with a fan facing the open space.
Midea indicates that this design combines a horizontal fan with a vertical heat exchanger to promote uniform airflow through the heat exchanger and maintain good performance when the outdoor temperature drops.
In this installation, the large front grille is not facing a nearby wall or fence.
This is important because an obstruction directly in front of the fan can promote recirculation of the discharged air. A heat pump could then re-aspirate some of this air and operate under less favorable conditions.
The chosen location therefore allows the condenser's front to remain largely unobstructed.
Refrigerant lines that follow a clean vertical path along the facade
Two protected lines run vertically above the unit.
This type of routing allows us to keep the lines organized against the building instead of adding multiple horizontal detours. On a central installation, the route must always comply with the lengths, elevations, and diameters compatible with the model actually installed.
Protecting the insulation is also important.
Refrigerant lines directly exposed to UV rays, the elements, or mechanical damage can deteriorate much more quickly. The routing must therefore be as clean and protected as possible.
The MIDEA EVOX G3 from this generation uses R-454B refrigerant, classified as A2L. Midea indicates a global warming potential of 466 for this refrigerant and specifies its use in the relevant EVOX central product line.
For our team, this means that the installation, tools, and commissioning procedures must be adapted to this generation of equipment.
A central heat pump advertised to operate down to -30 °C
For a residence in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, winter performance matters enormously.
Midea documentation states continuous operation down to -30 °C for the Extreme Heat platform presented. On a three-ton system used in the tests cited by the manufacturer, Midea also indicates up to 100% heating capacity at -25 °C, with a COP of approximately 1.9.
The manufacturer also explains that under extreme cold conditions, the compressor uses an intermediate-temperature vapor injection to increase the total amount of compressed refrigerant and support heating capacity.
For a homeowner in the West Island, this feature is much more important than summer cooling capacity alone.
A central heat pump in Dollard-des-Ormeaux must be evaluated for its performance during the two most demanding seasons: the hot, humid periods of summer, as well as the long cold periods of winter.
Several EVOX G3 capacities are available
The EVOX G3 name does not correspond to a single tonnage.
Midea documentation presents central systems covering approximately 18,000 to 54,000 BTU/h of nominal cooling capacity.
The published technical combinations include, among others:
- 18,000 BTU/h;
- 24,000 BTU/h;
- 30,000 BTU/h;
- 36,000 BTU/h;
- 48,000 BTU/h;
- 54,000 BTU/h.
Depending on the indoor-outdoor combination, Midea publishes performance ratings of up to 19 SEER2, 12.5 EER2, and 10.8 HSPF2.
The photo of this installation in Dollard-des-Ormeaux does not allow the full model number to be read with sufficient accuracy.
Therefore, we do not assign an exact tonnage to the unit based solely on its visual dimensions.
Why the exact capacity must be confirmed by the indoor-outdoor pairing
In a central installation, the outdoor unit and indoor unit must be considered as a set.
For example, the 18,000 BTU/h combination presented in the brochure is published at 19 SEER2, 12.5 EER2, and 10.1 HSPF2, with approximately 18,600 BTU/h of heating at -15 °C and a COP of 2.12.
For the 30,000 BTU/h configuration, Midea indicates 30,000 BTU/h in cooling, 33,000 BTU/h in heating, 17.2 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, and 10.8 HSPF2, with approximately 33,200 BTU/h of heating at -15 °C and a COP of 1.97.
The 36,000 BTU/h configuration is published at 17.7 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, and 10.0 HSPF2.
These differences explain why we always verify the exact AHRI combination before presenting performance figures or eligibility for financial assistance.
Indoors, the quality of the ductwork matters just as much as the outdoor unit visible against the wall
A MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump cannot be evaluated solely based on its outdoor condenser.
The ductwork, air handler, filtration, thermostat, and auxiliary heating all determine the actual comfort achieved in the home.
Computational Constant Airflow 2.0: better management of pressure in the existing ductwork
The EVOX G3 incorporates Computational Constant Airflow 2.0 technology.
Midea states that the system can adjust the capacity and fan speed to the conditions of the ductwork and filtration system. In the examples presented by the manufacturer, the unit can handle up to 1.2 in. of water column static pressure.
The airflow can also be customized across up to 60 levels.
This feature is particularly useful for a central replacement in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, where we often work with homes whose ductwork has been in place for several decades.
But it does not replace a proper diagnosis.
An undersized duct, insufficient return air, or a highly restrictive transition must always be corrected when it prevents the system from operating properly.
A modular indoor unit with six possible configurations
Midea documentation also describes a modular concept called Block N Lock.
The indoor unit can be configured in six positions, including upflow, downflow, right horizontal, left horizontal, as well as low-boy configurations for spaces where ceiling height is limited.
This flexibility is very useful in finished basements in the West Island.
Mechanical rooms can be surrounded by ductwork, plumbing, structural elements, and finished walls. A unit that can be reconfigured gives us more options for carrying out a clean replacement without unnecessarily rebuilding the entire mechanical room.
Dimensions designed for several furnace replacements
Midea also presents indoor units approximately 14.5 to 21.5 inches wide, with dimensions comparable to those of several residential central furnaces.
This can facilitate certain conversion or replacement projects.
We still check:
- plenum width;
- return air;
- available height;
- transitions;
- filtration;
- drain access;
- service clearances.
Two appliances of similar width are not necessarily interchangeable without modification.
Auxiliary heating up to 25 kW depending on the configuration
Midea also offers three-stage auxiliary electric heating kits that can reach 25 kW. The manufacturer indicates that these elements can be activated and adjusted according to temperature variations.
In a home in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, this component must be sized based on the required heating capacity and the available electrical capacity.
We check, among other things:
- the electrical panel;
- the service entrance;
- the wiring;
- the total building load;
- the heat pump's capacity in cold weather.
Automatically installing the largest available auxiliary heater is not a sound design approach.
485, 24 V, and third-party thermostat compatibility
The EVOX G3 platform can also be controlled in different ways.
Midea indicates compatibility with 485 communication and 24 V controls, including certain third-party thermostats. The equipment can also automatically identify the control mode.
Sub-1 GHz communication modules are also planned for certain configurations to reduce the need for communication wiring between components.
This flexibility is especially useful when a homeowner wants to upgrade their system without opening multiple walls to run new wiring.
1-, 2-, or 4-inch MERV 13 filtration
Midea also offers a module compatible with 1-, 2-, or 4-inch MERV 13 filters. The brochure indicates that this filtration helps capture more dust, pollen, particles, and dander while keeping the indoor coil cleaner.
However, we must always balance filtration and airflow.
A filter should not be selected solely based on its MERV rating. Its surface area, thickness, and resistance must remain compatible with the ductwork.
What about LogisVert for this MIDEA EVOX G3?
The brochure provided indicates that the product line in question exceeds the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient specifications presented by Midea.
However, this does not directly confirm a subsidy amount for this Dollard-des-Ormeaux installation.
Eligibility must therefore be verified based on the:
- exact outdoor unit model;
- exact indoor unit model;
- combination’s AHRI number;
- program criteria applicable at the time of installation.
We therefore consider the subsidy an item to verify precisely, rather than an automatic amount associated with the EVOX G3 name.
What this Dollard-des-Ormeaux installation teaches us about proper outdoor placement
This photo shows a Midea condenser installed against a foundation, but several technical details are hidden behind this apparent simplicity.
We had to account for the height, vegetation, brick façade, existing duct, refrigerant lines, clearance in front of the fan, and the need to leave enough space beneath the equipment.
This type of project highlights several important principles:
- Do not install a heat pump too close to the ground;
- Keep shrubs away from the coil;
- Maintain access to the service panels;
- Protect the refrigerant lines;
- Keep the front fan completely unobstructed;
- Check the ductwork before choosing the capacity;
- Confirm performance according to the exact combination;
- Plan for winter defrosting from the time of installation.
An installation adapted to the West Island, not a standardized installation
The final result in Dollard-des-Ormeaux is a compact installation that makes intelligent use of the available façade.
The heat pump is elevated, vegetation remains to the side rather than in front of the fan, and the lines follow a clear vertical path toward the building.
This attention to the condenser’s actual surroundings complements the technology of the MIDEA EVOX G3: an inverter compressor, operation advertised down to -30 °C, advanced indoor airflow management, and a modular air handler design.
At AirGreen, we apply this approach to our central heat pump installations in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.
The performance of an HVAC system never depends solely on the technical specifications. It also depends on how the equipment is installed, sized, connected, and integrated into the building.