Installation d’une thermopompe centrale MIDEA EVOX G3 à Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, dans l’Ouest de Montréal
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Installation of a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, in the West Island of Montreal

A MIDEA EVOX G3 central installation designed for the climate of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue and the home’s existing configuration

In Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, heating needs are not limited to choosing a heat pump with a good efficiency rating on paper. In a home equipped with a duct network, it is necessary to consider the heating capacity in cold weather, air distribution, the system’s static pressure, electrical integration, the location of the outdoor unit, and the physical constraints specific to the building simultaneously.

That is precisely what makes this installation completed by our AirGreen team interesting: a MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump, installed at a residence in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.

In the project photo, the approach chosen for the outdoor unit is immediately noticeable. Rather than placing the heat pump directly on the ground, we positioned it on a metal wall bracket securely fastened to the foundation. This configuration keeps the unit elevated above the ground while making efficient use of the available space along the house.

The surroundings also had to be respected: two basement windows, the electrical meter, the exterior siding, and several technical connections naturally limited the available areas. The heat pump was therefore positioned to preserve a compact and accessible outdoor setup.

Why the MIDEA EVOX G3 is particularly well suited to a central installation in Quebec

The MIDEA EVOX G3 is an inverter central heat pump designed to operate with a ducted air distribution system. Its technical documentation presents a range intended in particular for replacing or modernizing existing central systems.

One particularly relevant feature for Quebec’s climate is its ability to operate at low temperatures. MIDEA announces continuous operation down to -30 °C. For the 3-ton system used in the tests presented by the manufacturer, the documentation also indicates up to 100% of the rated heating capacity at -25 °C, with a COP of approximately 1.9.

However, the general performance of the product line must be distinguished from that of a specific equipment combination. Performance varies according to the capacity and the exact combination of the indoor and outdoor units.

MIDEA documentation includes configurations ranging from approximately 18,000 to 54,000/55,000 BTU/h, with efficiency ratings of up to 19 SEER2, depending on the selected combination.

For this installation in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, the exact capacity cannot be confirmed simply from the exterior photo because the nameplate is not readable. We therefore prefer not to arbitrarily assign a capacity to this installation. For an actual project, we determine the capacity based on the characteristics of the house and the existing system rather than relying solely on the physical size of the equipment.

A compact outdoor unit that frees up space

The horizontal-discharge design of the MIDEA EVOX G3 is particularly practical when space around a residence is limited.

Unlike a traditional large-format central heat pump with vertical discharge, this unit has a relatively slim profile. The fan expels air horizontally through the large front grille.

In the case presented here, this design makes it possible to place the equipment against the foundation without occupying a large area of the property.

Several details of the worksite are visible in the photo:

  • the MIDEA outdoor unit is installed on a wall bracket;
  • the equipment remains elevated above the grass and ground level;
  • the refrigerant lines are grouped on the right side of the unit;
  • the power supply and electrical equipment are installed nearby;
  • the basement windows remain clear;
  • traffic around the residence remains relatively unobstructed.

This type of installation is particularly appealing in Montreal and the West Island, where many properties have relatively narrow side passages.

Raising a central heat pump: a particularly important detail in winter

In Quebec, the location of an outdoor unit must take into account something that can easily be underestimated during a summer installation: snow.

A heat pump must be able to draw in and expel enough air during the winter. It must also manage the water produced during its defrost cycles.

Installing the unit too close to the ground can therefore lead to several problems:

  • snow accumulation in front of the heat exchanger;
  • ice around the base of the unit;
  • less efficient drainage of defrost water;
  • difficult access for maintenance;
  • restricted airflow.

The wall bracket used for this installation helps keep the heat pump above the ground. The height and mounting system must always be selected according to the building structure, the manufacturer's clearances, and site conditions.

What is not visible in the photo: the importance of the indoor unit

A central heat pump is a complete system. The outdoor unit is only one part of the installation.

Inside the home, the air handler must be able to provide the airflow required by the duct system without creating excessive pressure or compromising comfort in certain rooms.

This is precisely one aspect where the EVOX G3 offers an interesting approach.

The system uses Computational Constant Airflow 2.0 technology, designed to adapt fan operation to the conditions of the duct system. The documentation mentions an adaptation capacity of up to 1.2 in. of external static pressure, as well as an airflow adjustment offering up to 60 levels.

In an HVAC renovation, this is much more than a technical detail.

An existing duct system may include:

  • narrow sections;
  • more restrictive filters;
  • several changes in direction;
  • ducts of different sizes;
  • partially closed dampers;
  • higher static pressure than a new system.

A proper central heat pump installation therefore never simply involves removing the old equipment and installing the new one in the same place. The behavior of the air distribution system must be considered as part of the overall project.

A unit designed to facilitate replacement projects

MIDEA also worked on the modularity of the EVOX G3 indoor unit. The manufacturer provides six installation configurations, including upward vertical, downward vertical, and various horizontal configurations. Its modular system also makes it possible to separate certain sections to facilitate handling in spaces that are more difficult to access.

This feature is particularly relevant in homes in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore, where mechanical equipment is often located in:

  • a finished basement;
  • a narrow mechanical room;
  • a space under a staircase;
  • a space with limited access;
  • a configuration where the existing ductwork cannot be completely rebuilt.

A high-performance central heat pump must also be realistically installable in the building where it will operate.

A system capable of integrating with different controls

The EVOX G3 also offers several control options. The documentation indicates compatibility with 485 communication as well as conventional 24 V controls, allowing for different strategies when an installation must be integrated into existing infrastructure.

With the MIDEA communicating thermostat and the SmartHome app, the manufacturer also provides features including comfort scheduling, monitoring of certain consumption data, and remote diagnostic functions.

For the homeowner, this means that modernizing a central system can go much further than simply replacing the outdoor equipment.

What this EVOX G3 installation teaches us before replacing a central heat pump

Do not choose capacity solely based on the old unit

A common mistake is to see an old three-ton heat pump and automatically conclude that the new one should also be three tons.

This reasoning can lead to an oversized or undersized system.

Before an installation, we consider in particular:

  • the property's size and layout;
  • the level of insulation;
  • fenestration;
  • heat loss;
  • the capacity of the ductwork;
  • static pressure;
  • the available supplemental heating;
  • the home's operating conditions.

An inverter heat pump like the EVOX G3 can modulate its output, but this does not replace proper sizing.

Do not overlook the ductwork

Even the best heat pump cannot distribute its energy properly throughout a home if the ductwork is problematic.

When replacing a central HVAC system, we pay particular attention to airflow.

A room that is too warm, an upper floor that receives too little air, or an undersized return are not necessarily problems originating with the heat pump itself.

They may originate from the ductwork.

This distinction is important because replacing equipment is an excellent opportunity to identify certain existing problems rather than simply transferring them to the new system.

Do not underestimate the outdoor installation

The visible work on this Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue home also shows the importance of the outdoor unit's location.

A unit must be accessible for:

  • refrigerant connections;
  • electrical checks;
  • maintenance;
  • heat exchanger cleaning;
  • future service work.

It must also have the necessary clearances to move air properly.

In our installation, positioning the unit on the foundation makes it possible to use an area between the basement openings and the existing electrical installations while keeping the unit above ground level.

A new-generation refrigerant: R-454B

The EVOX G3 product line presented in MIDEA's documentation uses R-454B refrigerant.

This A2L refrigerant has a global warming potential, or GWP, listed at 466 by the manufacturer.

For the homeowner, this primarily means that a project completed with this equipment must be installed and maintained using the procedures, tools, and skills appropriate for this new generation of refrigerants.

For us at AirGreen, the transition to these systems is now an integral part of new central heating and cooling installations.

Filtration also deserves to be part of the discussion

A central heat pump is not used solely to produce heat or cooling. Since the home's air continuously passes through the system, filtration directly affects how well it operates.

The EVOX G3 indoor unit offers different filtration configurations, with 1-, 2-, or 4-inch sizes, and the documentation mentions compatibility with MERV 13 filters.

However, avoid the mistake of simply installing the most restrictive filter possible.

A filter must be selected based on the airflow and available pressure in the system. Finer filtration is only beneficial when the ductwork and fan can support it properly.

The question of the LogisVert subsidy in 2026

In Quebec, a central heat pump may also be eligible for financial assistance through Hydro-Québec's LogisVert, but eligibility must be verified for the exact combination of installed equipment.

As of the date of writing, Hydro-Québec indicates assistance of $50 per 1,000 BTU/h of heating capacity at -8 °C for an ENERGY STAR heat pump, or $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8 °C when it meets the criteria for a cold-climate heat pump. The amount is determined in part by the eligible capacity and the installation date.

Therefore, you should never assume that a heat pump is eligible simply because its brand or series appears to perform well.

Rather, we check:

  • the outdoor model;
  • the indoor model;
  • the certified combination;
  • the recognized capacity at -8 °C;
  • the program criteria applicable on the date of the work.

This is especially important because program rules and amounts may change.

An installation that clearly illustrates our approach at AirGreen

This MIDEA EVOX G3 central heat pump project in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue illustrates a philosophy that we also apply in our installations in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore: the equipment is only one part of the project.

We need to look at the home as a whole.

Here, this means a compact outdoor unit, logically placed on the foundation wall, raised above the ground and integrated with the building’s existing constraints.

Inside, this also means ensuring that the central system, duct network, controls, airflow and backup heating work together.

The desired outcome is not simply a new heat pump. It is a cohesive central HVAC system capable of heating efficiently during Quebec winters, cooling the home during hot periods and providing consistent comfort in the different rooms.

For a homeowner considering replacing an electric furnace, an older central heat pump or an aging heating system, we can assess the existing configuration and propose a solution suited to the building.

Contact AirGreen for an estimate for a central heat pump in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or the South Shore. We can check the appropriate capacity, compatibility with your ductwork, backup heating options, and the financial assistance programs applicable to your project.

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