Installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in Elgin, Montérégie

Under a window, against a brick wall, and near vegetation: an installation where every clearance had to be carefully considered

In Elgin, in Montérégie, this installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump presents a very different situation from a job site with a large, completely unobstructed exterior wall. Here, the outdoor unit had to be integrated into a brick facade beneath a large window, with vegetation immediately to the left and an outdoor area that needed to remain as functional as possible.

This is precisely the type of configuration in which the quality of an HVAC installation becomes apparent.

In the job-site photo, we see a new-generation MIDEA outdoor unit mounted on metal wall brackets, rather than placed directly on the ground. The equipment is therefore kept at a considerable height above the soil and low vegetation. The horizontal-discharge fan faces a completely open area, while the back of the unit remains against the masonry. To the left, the electrical disconnect is located near the equipment.

The setup is compact, but it does not look as though it was placed randomly. For us at AirGreen, that is precisely the challenge: making the most of the available space without compromising the heat pump’s operation, future accessibility, or performance during Quebec winters.

Why the EVOX G3’s format was particularly interesting here

The MIDEA EVOX G3 uses a horizontal-discharge outdoor unit. The large fan visible on the front of the heat pump therefore expels air forward, unlike traditional cubic central systems, whose fan is often positioned on top.

This design can be particularly useful when a property has limited available depth.

MIDEA’s technical documentation specifically describes a design with a horizontal-discharge fan and a high-efficiency vertical heat exchanger. The manufacturer indicates that this architecture is intended to achieve more uniform airflow through the heat exchanger and maintain good heat-exchange performance as the outdoor temperature drops.

On this Elgin project, the practical advantage is immediately apparent: the unit can run alongside the house while retaining the space required in front of its fan to discharge air.

However, a common mistake must be avoided: considering a horizontal-discharge heat pump to be a unit that can be enclosed in any narrow space. Airflow remains essential. A fence, dense shrub, snow accumulation, or another obstacle placed too close to the front can reduce air circulation and affect operation.

Nearby vegetation: a detail to monitor throughout the seasons

The photograph shows fairly abundant vegetation to the left of the installation.

When installing a central heat pump, conditions should not be assessed only on the day of installation. You must also imagine what will happen in July when the plants have grown, in October when leaves accumulate around the unit, and in January when snow occupies the ground-level space.

We therefore recommend regularly keeping vegetation away from the coil and air intake areas.

This does not require transforming the side of the house into a completely bare space. Simply make sure that branches, leaves, or plants do not come into contact with the heat pump or reduce the amount of available air.

On this project, positioning the unit on a wall bracket helps limit direct contact with vegetation at ground level.

An elevated heat pump rather than one placed directly on the ground

One of the most interesting details of this installation is the height of the outdoor unit.

The EVOX G3 is supported by two metal brackets firmly anchored to the masonry wall. The unit thus remains completely clear of the ground.

In southern Quebec, this way of installing a heat pump intended for heating represents a significant advantage.

During the winter, a heat pump extracts heat from the outdoor air. Frost periodically forms on the coil, and the machine must perform defrost cycles. The resulting water must be able to drain away.

If an outdoor unit is installed too low, the space beneath the machine may gradually become occupied by:

• snow;
• ice resulting from defrost cycles;
• ice created by freezing and thawing periods;
• leaves and debris;
• vegetation;
• or a mixture of several of these elements.

Proper elevation significantly reduces this risk and also makes visual inspection of the unit easier.

Installing on brick requires suitable fastening

The photo clearly shows that the supports are installed on an exterior brick wall.

A central outdoor unit represents a significant weight. The brackets must therefore be correctly sized and secured. They must also remain stable when the machine operates at different compressor and fan speeds.

Poor installation could create noticeable vibrations in the building or, over the long term, place unnecessary stress on the structure.

For us, installing the supports is never a secondary step. We specifically check the assembly’s geometry, the outdoor unit’s base, its level, and the anchoring points before considering this part of the job complete.

A central heat pump that continues to operate in very cold weather

Elgin’s climate imposes a very different requirement from that of a region where the heat pump is used primarily for cooling.

MIDEA presents the EVOX G3 Extreme Heat as a system capable of continuing to operate down to -30 °C. The documentation also indicates, for the configurations concerned, up to 100% heating capacity at -25 °C, with a COP of up to 1.9 under the conditions presented by the manufacturer.

The page devoted to cold-weather performance also explains the principle used by the compressor: when the system operates in extremely cold conditions, the circuit increases the amount of compressed refrigerant to support heating capacity.

For a homeowner, however, there is an important nuance to understand: “operates down to -30 °C” does not mean that all capacities and combinations deliver exactly the same performance at -30 °C.

We must always look at the specific system that will be installed.

An interesting test result at -25 °C, but one that must be interpreted correctly

In its documentation, MIDEA also presents a test result obtained on a 3-ton system.

The manufacturer reports, in particular, a COP of up to 2.4 at -15 °C and heating output of up to 118% of nominal capacity at approximately -25 °C, with a COP of 1.92 for the tested system. The brochure expressly specifies that this result is based on a 3-ton MIDEA system.

This is interesting data for understanding the technological capabilities of the EVOX G3 family, but we avoid turning this figure into a universal promise for every home.

Actual performance depends in particular on the installed tonnage, outdoor temperature, building heat load, indoor airflow, and certified matchup.

That is exactly why we prefer to discuss actual sizing rather than limit ourselves to the most impressive figures in a brochure.

What tonnage was installed in Elgin?

The photo clearly identifies the MIDEA family, the EVOX G3 format, and the outdoor configuration, but it does not allow us to read the complete model number on the rating plate with certainty.

We will therefore not invent the precise capacity of this installation.

The EVOX G3 range presented in the documentation includes several central configurations. The performance data sheet on page 11 includes systems rated at 18,000, 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, 48,000, and 54,000 BTU/h in cooling, with different heating capacities and efficiencies depending on the matchup.

This variety allows us to adapt the equipment to the building rather than forcing different types of homes to use the same tonnage.

Performance that genuinely varies from one capacity to another

MIDEA's specification analysis is instructive.

In the EVOX G3 table, a configuration rated at 30,000 BTU/h in cooling and 33,000 BTU/h in heating is listed at 17.2 SEER2, with a seasonal heating value of 10.8 in the documentation. A configuration rated at 36,000 BTU/h is listed at 17.7 SEER2, while the 48,000 BTU/h configuration is advertised at 17.5 SEER2.

According to MIDEA, the range reaches up to 19 SEER2, 12.5 EER2, 10.8 HSPF2, and a COP of up to 2.14 at 5 °F, or approximately -15 °C, depending on the system.

These differences demonstrate why the name "EVOX G3" is not enough to compare two quotes.

Two contractors can offer a MIDEA EVOX G3 heat pump while referring to systems with different capacities and different matchups.

The invisible part of this system: indoor air handling

The photograph mainly shows the outdoor condenser, but a central heat pump cannot be evaluated solely by its outdoor unit.

Inside is the air handler connected to the home's ductwork.

It is responsible for properly circulating hot or cold air to the different rooms.

The EVOX G3 indoor unit design uses what MIDEA calls an M-Coil with a symmetrical fan. According to the manufacturer, this architecture reduces airflow differences across the heat exchanger compared with a traditional configuration.

For an existing home, this is important because ductwork quality varies greatly from one property to another.

Computational Constant Airflow 2.0: particularly relevant during a renovation

The EVOX G3 also features Computational Constant Airflow 2.0 technology.

Its purpose is to adapt fan operation to different duct and filtration conditions. MIDEA indicates an adaptation capacity of up to 1.2 in. of water column static pressure in the examples presented, as well as an airflow volume adjustment of up to 60 levels.

This can be particularly useful when replacing an old furnace or an old central heat pump.

An existing network was not always designed specifically for the new equipment. It may include changes in cross-section, more restrictive filters, long runs, or significant differences between the various branches.

Constant airflow technology can help the system adapt, but it does not override the laws of aerodynamics. A significantly undersized duct remains undersized.

At AirGreen, we therefore want to know how the air actually circulates before concluding that a particular central heat pump is the right solution.

This Elgin project shows why an EVOX G3 must be installed as a complete system, rather than as a simple outdoor box.

An indoor unit designed for multiple orientations

One of the less visible but highly practical aspects of the EVOX G3 is its modular air handler.

MIDEA introduces a Block N Lock design allowing up to six installation orientations: vertical upflow, downflow, right horizontal, left horizontal, and various “low-boy” configurations for situations where available height is limited.

In an existing home in Elgin, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore or the North Shore, this flexibility can completely change how we approach a mechanical room.

We regularly encounter basements where the equipment must fit between a beam, a water heater, an electrical panel, and a main duct that is already in place. Being able to adapt the position of the indoor unit without unnecessarily rebuilding the entire mechanical room can considerably simplify the project.

A solution designed to replace certain older furnaces

The brochure also indicates indoor unit widths ranging from 14.5 to 21.5 inches depending on capacity, dimensions chosen to match those of several existing residential furnaces.

MIDEA also provides a 115 V or 208/230 V multivoltage power supply for the indoor unit, depending on the configuration, with automatic voltage identification.

This does not mean that a replacement is always “plug-and-play.”

We still need to check the electrical system, ductwork, sheet-metal transitions, condensate drain, return dimensions, and clearances.

But when a manufacturer designs its unit around the dimensions actually found in existing homes, it gives us more options on the job site.

Auxiliary heating up to 25 kW

Even with a heat pump capable of operating at very low temperatures, auxiliary heating remains an important component of a Québec central system.

EVOX G3 documentation provides for three-stage auxiliary heating kits capable of up to 25 kW, with settings and activation adapted to temperature variations.

The goal, however, is not to use the electric elements as soon as it gets cold.

A proper control strategy should allow the heat pump to meet the heating demand as efficiently as possible, then use auxiliary heating when conditions or the building load require it.

An improper configuration can unnecessarily increase the electricity bill.

R-454B: the next generation of refrigerant for the EVOX line

The EVOX G3 system presented by MIDEA uses R-454B refrigerant.

MIDEA indicates a global warming potential, or GWP, of 466, and uses this A2L refrigerant for its core EVOX line as well as for other product families.

For homeowners, this change seems relatively inconspicuous because the refrigerant circulates in a closed loop.

For the installer, however, it entails procedures, equipment, and handling practices appropriate for this new generation of refrigerants.

The contractor's choice therefore becomes particularly important during installation, maintenance, and any potential troubleshooting.

Communicating control or 24 V thermostat

The EVOX G3 also offers several control options.

MIDEA documentation indicates compatibility with 485 communication as well as conventional 24 V thermostats. The system is designed to identify its control mode according to the configuration used.

MIDEA also presents its communicating thermostat and SmartHome app, with scheduling, comfort management, consumption monitoring, and remote diagnostic tools.

For some homeowners, this connectivity is an important advantage. For others, the priority will simply be having a reliable, easy-to-use thermostat.

We can adapt the approach based on the system and the home's actual needs.

What about LogisVert and subsidies?

A question comes up almost every time a homeowner in Montérégie considers a MIDEA central heat pump: how much financial assistance will they receive?

The MIDEA document provided for this project gives the performance specifications for the product line, but it alone does not confirm the Quebec eligibility of a specific match for a subsidy.

This distinction is important.

To properly verify financial assistance, it is necessary to know the exact model numbers of the indoor and outdoor units, find the corresponding certified match, and apply the program rules in effect at the time of installation.

We therefore avoid announcing a subsidy amount simply because the unit bears the name EVOX G3.

At AirGreen, the proper method is to verify the exact combination proposed to the customer.

The proximity of the window also deserves serious technical consideration

The visible installation in Elgin is located directly beneath a large window.

This type of placement requires considering several factors: the manufacturer's clearances, air discharge, access for service, and indoor acoustic comfort.

An Inverter heat pump generally operates progressively rather than with systematic starts at full power. Despite this, every outdoor unit has a fan and a compressor.

The quality of the supports, the leveling, and how the unit is connected to the building are therefore important for limiting vibration transmission.

This is particularly true when a unit is installed directly against a home's structure rather than on an independent base.

Future maintenance was considered from the moment of installation

We always think about the technician who will need to service the unit several years after installation.

It must be possible to access the service panel, inspect the heat exchanger, clean the surfaces, measure electrical parameters and check the refrigerant circuit.

An installation positioned extremely close to a fence or surrounded by vegetation quickly becomes difficult to maintain.

In this Elgin installation, the front panel remains highly accessible. The owner will simply need to continue controlling the growth of nearby vegetation to preserve this accessibility.

What we take away from this MIDEA EVOX G3 installation in Elgin

This installation clearly shows why choosing a central heat pump should never be reduced to selecting a brand and tonnage.

The photo reveals several practical decisions: installation on wall brackets, substantial clearance above the ground, positioning beneath a window, vegetation nearby, unobstructed front-facing air discharge and accessible electrical disconnect.

The technology behind this outdoor unit goes much further: Inverter compressor for cold climates, operation rated down to -30 °C, R-454B refrigerant, modular indoor unit, adaptive airflow, communicating control options and various tonnages.

But these features only have value when the system is properly integrated into the building.

At AirGreen, we work precisely at the point where the machine meets the home: capacity selection, outdoor placement, clearances, refrigerant lines, electrical supply, ductwork, airflow, filtration, controls and auxiliary heating.

It is this comprehensive view of the project that allows an installation to maintain its performance long after our team has left.

We install and replace MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pumps in Elgin and Montérégie, as well as throughout Greater Montreal, including Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore. Before proposing a configuration, we can assess the home, its ductwork, electrical supply and site constraints so that the selected solution genuinely suits the building.