Installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in Kirkland, in Montreal’s West Island
AirGreen installs a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in Kirkland: elevated unit, optimized clearances, heating down to -30 °C, R-454B, and HVAC integration tailored to the home.
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The job on one screen
The unit’s data sheet
The range as published on airgreen.ca: pick a size to see its capacity in deep cold.
| Size | Heating at −8 °C | Heating at −15 °C | Coldest certified point | COP at −15 °C | SEER | HSPF | Indicative LogisVert aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midea EVOX G3 · 1.5 tons | 14,700 | 18,600 | −30 °C: 11,800 | 2.12 | 19.0 | 10.1 | $1,764 |
| Midea EVOX G3 · 2 tons | 20,800 | 20,600 | −30 °C: 12,100 | 2.14 | 18.6 | 10.0 | $2,496 |
| Midea EVOX G3 · 2.5 tons | 24,000 | 33,200 | −30 °C: 17,900 | 1.97 | 17.2 | 10.8 | $2,880 |
| Midea EVOX G3 · 3 tons | 33,000 | 37,400 | −30 °C: 27,600 | 1.9 | 18.0 | 10.0 | $3,960 |
| Midea EVOX G3 · 4 tons | 39,500 | 48,000 | −30 °C: 27,200 | 2.0 | 17.5 | 9.5 | $4,740 |
| Midea EVOX G3 · 5 tons | 45,000 | 54,000 | −30 °C: 37,300 | 1.9 | 17.5 | 9.5 | $5,400 |
Data read live from the airgreen.ca page of each size (NEEP / AHRI certified performance). When the title names the installed size, it is highlighted; otherwise the whole range is shown. The aid shown is today’s, using Hydro-Québec’s rule ($120 per 1,000 BTU/h at −8 °C); amounts quoted in the article date from its publication. Only Hydro-Québec confirms the assistance granted.
The article, chapter by chapter
In Kirkland, an EVOX G3 installation designed around a brick wall, a basement window, and an already landscaped outdoor space
This installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in Kirkland clearly illustrates the type of project where the equipment’s performance alone is not enough. On an existing home, you must also work around the masonry, basement windows, foundation, downspouts, landscaping, side access, and the space required to service the unit for many years.
In the jobsite photo, the MIDEA outdoor unit is installed against a brick wall, on metal brackets that clearly keep it above ground level. A basement window is immediately to the left of the installation. On the right, a small masonry wall and a downspout limit the available space. Despite these constraints, the large front fan remains oriented toward a largely unobstructed area, which is essential for a horizontal-discharge heat pump.
This is precisely what we look for at AirGreen: not simply finding “a place” for the heat pump, but finding a location that respects the machine’s operation, service access, snow management, and the visual organization of the property.
An outdoor unit installed above ground to better withstand Kirkland winters
One of the most important details of this project is the height of the unit.
The MIDEA EVOX G3 is not placed directly on mulch or on a simple slab at ground level. It rests on metal brackets secured to the building, creating appreciable clearance beneath the unit.
In Kirkland, as throughout the West Island, this decision is particularly relevant when a heat pump must provide a significant portion of the heating in winter.
During heating operation, the outdoor coil may accumulate frost. The system must then periodically perform a defrost cycle. The water produced during this process falls beneath the unit and may subsequently freeze when the outdoor temperature is sufficiently low.
A unit that is too close to the ground can therefore become surrounded by an accumulation of snow or ice. An elevated installation facilitates drainage, improves access, and reduces the risk of the unit's base becoming buried after several snowfalls.
On this Kirkland property, the chosen height also keeps the heat pump above the landscaping located in front of the foundation.
Proximity to a basement window that requires precision
The window visible to the left of the unit is an important element of the project.
When a heat pump is installed near a building opening, we must consider not only the physical clearance, but also access to the window and acoustic comfort.
The unit is positioned far enough to the right here that it does not directly block the opening. The unit is also elevated, leaving the bottom of the foundation accessible.
The choice of brackets also matters for limiting vibration transmission to the building. A central Inverter heat pump operates at different speeds, but it still contains a compressor and a fan. The rigidity and leveling of the supporting structure are therefore integral to the final installation quality.
The large front fan must always have space
The EVOX G3 immediately stands out with its horizontal discharge design.
MIDEA describes the outdoor unit as a design combining a horizontal fan and a high-efficiency vertical heat exchanger. According to the manufacturer, this architecture is intended to promote more uniform heat exchange and maintain good performance as the outdoor temperature drops.
On this Kirkland installation, the fan is directed toward the open space in front of the house, not toward the retaining wall or façade.
This is an essential detail.
Even an excellent heat pump can lose efficiency if the expelled airflow is blocked by a fence, shed, hedge that is too close, or another obstacle. The system could then draw in some of its own expelled air, which is undesirable.
We therefore recommend that the homeowner keep the area in front clear over the years, particularly if new landscaping is added around the house.
An installation that must also accommodate the downspout
To the right and behind the unit, the photo shows a vertical downspout.
This type of detail matters during planning.
A heat pump must not block access to a gutter downspout, nor should water from it be directed toward the machine, the supports, or the foundation immediately beneath the unit.
For this installation, the heat pump was positioned beside the downspout without covering it.
When a homeowner later adds or modifies a downspout extension, it is important to continue directing water away from the equipment.
The refrigerant lines must be organized, not simply hidden
Part of the connection routing is concealed behind and around the outdoor unit.
In a central heat pump installation, the refrigerant lines, wiring, and control components must be positioned logically and accessibly.
We aim to limit unnecessary runs, excessive bends, and exposed sections without protection.
The goal is twofold: to achieve a clean finish on the façade while keeping a system that can be inspected or repaired later without unnecessarily dismantling the exterior landscaping.
Why the MIDEA EVOX G3 Is Interesting for Kirkland’s Climate
The main reason this family of heat pumps deserves particular attention in Quebec is its focus on low-temperature heating.
MIDEA advertises continuous operation down to -30 °C for the EVOX G3 Extreme Heat range. The manufacturer also indicates, under the conditions presented in its documentation, up to 100% heating capacity at -25 °C, with a COP of up to 1.9.
However, two concepts must be distinguished.
A heat pump capable of “operating” at -30 °C does not necessarily deliver exactly the same capacity at -30 °C as it does at 0 °C. Performance depends on the installed model, tonnage, indoor-outdoor pairing, and actual operating conditions.
That is why, at AirGreen, we always verify the exact system combination rather than relying solely on the name “EVOX G3.”
What MIDEA reports in its cold-climate testing
MIDEA documentation also presents test results for a 3-ton system.
In this example, the manufacturer mentions a COP of up to 2.4 at approximately -15 °C. At approximately -25 °C, MIDEA reports up to 118% of the rated heating capacity with a COP of 1.92 for the tested system. The manufacturer specifies that these results are based on a 3-ton system.
This precision is important.
We do not take these results and automatically apply them to all 2-, 4-, or 5-ton EVOX G3 systems.
For a homeowner in Kirkland, Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, or Dorval, the correct comparison should always focus on the exact pairing proposed in the quote.
Several capacities under the same EVOX G3 name
The photo does not allow us to read the outdoor unit's complete model number with sufficient certainty. We therefore cannot assign a precise capacity to this installation without risking inventing information.
The documentation provided nevertheless presents several EVOX G3 configurations with 18,000, 24,000, 30,000, 36,000, 48,000, and 54,000 BTU/h of nominal cooling capacity, with different capacities and efficiencies depending on the combination.
This broad range makes it possible to adapt the system to very different homes.
But the capacity selection should never be based solely on the floor area.
We consider, among other factors, the quality of the insulation, the building's airtightness, the windows, the exposure, the ductwork, the heating load, the cooling load, and the available electrical capacity.
Up to 19 SEER2 depending on the configuration
MIDEA states that the EVOX G3 range can achieve up to 19 SEER2, 12.5 EER2, and 10.8 HSPF2, as well as a COP of up to 2.14 at 5 °F, or approximately -15 °C, depending on the configuration.
However, the values are not identical for all capacities.
The technical table indicates, for example, a 30,000 BTU/h configuration at 17.2 SEER2, a 36,000 BTU/h configuration at 17.7 SEER2, and a 48,000 BTU/h configuration at 17.5 SEER2.
For this reason, two quotes that both indicate “MIDEA EVOX G3” may correspond to systems with different certified performance ratings.
The true value of an EVOX G3 becomes apparent when the outdoor unit, indoor air handler, and ductwork are treated as a single system
The ductwork can make or break comfort
The outdoor part of this system is visible in the photo. The indoor part is much less visible, but it is just as important.
A central heat pump distributes heated or cooled air throughout the house through an air handler connected to the ductwork.
If the return air is too small, the ducts are restrictive, or the filtration creates excessive pressure, the system may not reach its full potential.
MIDEA incorporates technology called Computational Constant Airflow 2.0 into the EVOX G3, designed to adjust the fan's output and speed according to the conditions of the duct system.
The documentation presents scenarios of up to 1.2 in. of static pressure and indicates up to 60 air-volume adjustment levels.
This adaptability is particularly useful when replacing an old furnace or an old central system.
However, it does not replace good duct design.
The M-Coil and symmetrical fan
MIDEA also uses an indoor architecture with M-Coil and symmetrical fan.
According to the manufacturer, this configuration is intended to further even out airflow through the indoor heat exchanger, with a significantly reduced airflow difference compared with a conventional design.
For the homeowner, this detail may seem highly technical.
For us, this is directly related to how the system distributes thermal energy to the air moving through the ducts.
An indoor unit designed to adapt to existing homes
The EVOX G3 uses a modular design called Block N Lock.
MIDEA presents up to six possible orientations for the indoor unit, including vertical, right-horizontal, and left-horizontal configurations, as well as arrangements adapted to low-clearance spaces.
This flexibility is very useful in the West Island of Montreal, where we often work in existing homes whose mechanical rooms have already been modified over the years.
A beam, water heater, main duct, or plumbing line can completely change the best orientation for the unit.
A design intended for certain furnace replacements
MIDEA indicates indoor unit widths ranging from 14.5 to 21.5 inches depending on capacity, which corresponds to several existing residential furnace sizes.
The documentation also specifies a multivoltage capacity of 115 V and 208/230 V for the indoor unit, depending on the configuration.
These features can facilitate a conversion to a central heat pump, but they do not automatically make every replacement simple.
We must always inspect the ductwork, the transition sheet metal, the drainage, the electrical supply, and the control system.
R-454B is part of this new generation
The EVOX G3 range uses R-454B refrigerant.
MIDEA states that this A2L refrigerant has a global warming potential of 466 and specifies that it is used in the EVOX Central System range.
For the homeowner, this difference is practically invisible in everyday use.
For the HVAC contractor, however, it requires the use of appropriate procedures and equipment during installation and servicing.
This is another reason why we consider the installer's experience with new generations of refrigerants an important part of the project.
Auxiliary heating should supplement the heat pump, not replace it too early
MIDEA provides auxiliary heating kits of up to 25 kW, with several operating stages depending on the configuration.
In a home in Kirkland, this heating can become useful when the building load exceeds the available heat pump capacity or when the control strategy requires it.
Programming is nevertheless important.
A poorly configured system can cause the electric elements to operate more often than necessary, reducing some of the expected savings from an Inverter heat pump.
Our work therefore also involves considering the heating logic, not just connecting the equipment.
485 communication or 24 V control
The EVOX G3 platform offers several control options.
MIDEA indicates compatibility with 485 communicating mode as well as traditional 24 V control. The system can also operate in different configurations with MIDEA equipment or certain third-party components.
With the MIDEA communicating thermostat and the SmartHome app, the manufacturer also provides programming, comfort management, energy-use monitoring, and system diagnostics.
We choose the control strategy based on the project, the existing wiring, and the owner's expectations.
And what about the rebates for this installation in Kirkland?
The MIDEA document provided confirms the technical specifications of the product range, but it cannot, on its own, confirm the amount of a Quebec financial incentive for this specific installation.
For any rebate application, we must know the exact model numbers of the outdoor and indoor units, then verify the recognized matched system and the program criteria applicable on the date of the work.
This is particularly important because the name "EVOX G3" covers several capacities and several combinations.
We therefore prefer to check the installed system rather than publish a theoretical amount that might not correspond to the actual matched system.
The practical points this Kirkland installation clearly highlights
This project helps summarize several principles we apply when installing a central heat pump:
- elevate the unit to better accommodate snow and defrosting;
- leave the front fan completely unobstructed;
- maintain access to basement windows and building components;
- do not block an existing downspout;
- plan for future access to the service panels;
- match the capacity to the building's actual needs rather than floor area alone;
- check the ductwork and airflow;
- consider the indoor unit, outdoor unit, thermostat and auxiliary heating as a single system.
This comprehensive approach is what makes the difference between simply installing equipment and carrying out a true HVAC installation.
A compact, clean installation suited to an existing Kirkland home
This MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump project in Kirkland shows that an outdoor space with several constraints can still accommodate a central system in a logical way.
The unit is elevated. The fan faces an open area. The basement window remains accessible. The downspout stays in place. The equipment does not unnecessarily take up space on the property and remains accessible for maintenance.
Indoors, the same logic must continue: proper sizing, adequate airflow, appropriate controls and correctly configured auxiliary heating.
At AirGreen, we install and replace MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pumps in Kirkland and throughout the West Island, including Pointe-Claire, Beaconsfield, Dorval and Dollard-des-Ormeaux, as well as in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore and the North Shore.
When a homeowner considers replacing an old furnace or central heat pump, we analyze the building as a whole: heating capacity, air conditioning, ductwork, electrical system, filtration, outdoor location, service access and compatibility of the selected system.
The job tools
Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.
Baseboards and electric furnaces turn 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. A heat pump delivers more: that is its COP. At Hydro-Québec’s rate D (11.142¢/kWh above 40 kWh a day, since 1 April 2026):
Hydro-Québec: a heat pump can be up to three times more efficient than baseboards for heating in the colder months.
Estimate per kWh of heat, at the chosen temperature, using the certified COP from the product page. Taxes, access charge and backup heat not included.
Conversion: 1 W = 3.412 BTU/h. An indication, not a load calculation: baseboards and furnaces are often stronger than the real need, and they can stay as backup. AirGreen confirms the capacity on site.
How the job unfolds
The main steps of this kind of job at AirGreen. Every house has its quirks: the estimate brings them out.
We look at the ducts, the current indoor module, the electrical panel and the planned spot for the outdoor unit.
The equipment combination, capacity and price, in writing. We check whether the combination qualifies for assistance programs.
Access protected, old unit disconnected and removed when it is being replaced.
Electric furnace or air handler, with its coil, connected to the supply and return ducts.
On a level base, raised above the snow, with free space all around.
Insulated, they enter through a sealed opening and run to the indoor coil.
Dedicated circuits, accessible disconnect, a thermostat that works with the heat pump and the backup heat.
Leak test, vacuum, start-up, airflow check and a test of both modes.
Filter, thermostat, backup heat in extreme cold: what to know before winter.
- The on-site estimateWe look at the ducts, the current indoor module, the electrical panel and the planned spot for the outdoor unit.
- The quoteThe equipment combination, capacity and price, in writing. We check whether the combination qualifies for assistance programs.
- Getting readyAccess protected, old unit disconnected and removed when it is being replaced.
- The indoor moduleElectric furnace or air handler, with its coil, connected to the supply and return ducts.
- The outdoor unitOn a level base, raised above the snow, with free space all around.
- The refrigerant linesInsulated, they enter through a sealed opening and run to the indoor coil.
- Electrical and thermostatDedicated circuits, accessible disconnect, a thermostat that works with the heat pump and the backup heat.
- Tests and start-upLeak test, vacuum, start-up, airflow check and a test of both modes.
- The walkthroughFilter, thermostat, backup heat in extreme cold: what to know before winter.
What we check on a job like this one
Each number is a point we check on site. Switch between summer and winter to watch air and heat move.
In summer, the outdoor unit rejects the house's heat outside.
Generic illustration of this type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Tap a number.
It captures or rejects heat outside. It sits on a level base, above the snow, with free space all around.
The insulated refrigerant lines enter the house through a sealed opening and run to the indoor coil.
A shut-off switch near the outdoor unit isolates it safely for service.
Sitting on the indoor module, it moves heat between the house air and the refrigerant.
Electric furnace or air handler: its fan pushes air through the ducts. The electric backup takes over in extreme cold.
Supply ducts bring air to the rooms; returns bring it back to the unit. Their condition matters as much as the unit's.
It protects the coil and the fan. A dirty filter cuts airflow, so it gets checked regularly.
It runs the heat pump and the backup heat. It must be compatible with the installed system.
Is your home ready?
Check what applies at your place. A "no" is not a refusal: it is what we sort out during the estimate.
Good habits, once the unit is in place
Six simple habits that keep the unit going. Your list stays on this device.
What to do, season by season
Three habits per season for this unit. They take a few minutes and prevent many calls.
- Check the indoor module's filter.
- Clear winter debris from the outdoor unit.
- Test cooling before the heat arrives.
- Check the filter more often in peak season.
- Keep registers and returns clear.
- Watch condensate drainage near the coil.
- Change or clean the filter.
- Test heating and backup heat before the cold.
- Book periodic maintenance.
- Clear snow around the outdoor unit.
- Store nothing in front of the indoor module.
- Note any unusual noise or smell and call us.
The right pages, at the right time
Four statements: true or false?
It all comes down to details you have just seen.
1. A central heat pump uses the house's ducts.
It connects to the existing ducts to heat and cool everywhere.
2. In extreme cold, electric backup heat can take over.
The indoor module (furnace or air handler) works with the heat pump and takes over in extreme cold.
3. The filter only gets changed when the unit breaks down.
A dirty filter cuts airflow. It gets checked regularly.
4. You can reuse the old unit's size without checking.
The house may have changed: insulation, windows, added rooms. Capacity is confirmed on site.
0 / 4 right answers
What people ask us about this kind of work
Can I keep my current ducts?
What happens in extreme cold?
Furnace, air handler, ducted: what is the difference?
Are there grants?
Do I need a permit?
How much can I save?
How is the LogisVert assistance calculated?
Will my current thermostat work?
Central or wall units: which one?
Does AirGreen hold the required licences?
Is the estimate free?
No question matches. Write to us: we answer.
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Text and photo: a real AirGreen Climatisation & Chauffage job. The diagrams are generic illustrations of the type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Sources of the added figures: airgreen.ca product pages (NEEP / AHRI performance), Hydro-Québec (Heat pumps page, LogisVert, read on 13 October 2026), Régie de l’énergie (rate D as of 1 April 2026).