Installation of a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump on a flat roof in Plateau-Mont-Royal
AirGreen installed a Gree FreeMatch multi-zone heat pump on the roof of a building in Plateau-Mont-Royal : supports adapted to the flat roof, careful management of connections and performance designed for Montreal winters.
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In the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood , flat-roofed buildings, duplexes, and condominiums are common, where every improvement must balance occupant comfort with the building's structural integrity. For this project, our AirGreen team installed a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump system (mini-split multi-zone) , with an outdoor unit mounted directly on the roof. The goal: to provide efficient heating and stable cooling without compromising aesthetics, neighbours' peace and quiet, or the roof's structural integrity.
A typical Plateau location: accessible rooftop, urban view, real constraints
The photo speaks for itself: a flat roof covered in gravel, ventilation outlets, technical access, and an unobstructed view towards the city center. This is exactly the kind of environment found in the Plateau and surrounding areas, where the roof often becomes the best option for placing an outdoor unit… provided it's done correctly.
On this type of building, the issues are rarely “just” technical:
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to avoid vibrations that are transmitted to the structure,
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protect the roof membrane,
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managing snow, ice and water runoff,
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respect the distances around air intakes and ventilation outlets.
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ensure safe access for maintenance (and for future interventions).
Machine type: Multi-zone heat pump (multi-zone mini-split)
The installed system is a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump . In practical terms, this means that one outdoor unit can power several indoor units (zones) and offer independent control: living room, bedroom, office, etc. In a building in the Plateau neighborhood, where the room layout is sometimes atypical (open spaces, load-bearing walls, rooms in a row), multi-zone heating becomes a very logical solution.
Why MultiZone is so relevant in Montreal residential buildings
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Targeted comfort : only the rooms in use are heated/cooled.
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Energy savings : better management by zone, less waste.
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Less work : no need for pipes everywhere.
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Flexibility : ideal for renovations, condos and co-ownerships.
Brand and model: Gree FreeMatch
The brand is Gree and the platform model is FreeMatch (multi-zone). For this type of installation, the FreeMatch is a logical choice due to its ability to adapt to multiple indoor units, while maintaining a reliable and easy-to-maintain approach.
Even when not all the indoor units are visible in the photos, the logic of the construction is clear: a robust and properly laid outdoor base (the “foundation” of comfort) is installed, then the indoor areas are connected according to the configuration of the dwelling.
Visible installation details: what makes the difference on a flat roof
In the photo, several execution elements stand out — and these are exactly the points that separate an “acceptable” installation from an AirGreen installation designed to last.
1) Outdoor unit on supports to protect the roof
The unit is installed on a raised base , resting on support blocks/boards. On a flat roof, this approach serves to:
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distribute the load and avoid point pressure on the surface,
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reduce vibration transmission within the structure
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limit direct contact with stagnant water or compacted snow,
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preserve the membrane (a critical point on the roofs of plexes and condos).
2) Management of the routing of connections (piping + cable)
The connections leaving the outdoor unit and heading towards a penetration/pathway point are clearly visible. On a roof, the routing must be:
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clean and secure (fasteners, radius of curvature respected),
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protected (against UV rays, friction, mechanical risks),
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designed to withstand the freeze/thaw cycles typical of Montreal.
3) Positioning on the roof: ventilation and clearance
An outdoor unit needs to breathe. On a rooftop, sufficient clearance is required in front of the heat exchanger to prevent air recirculation and performance losses. Surrounding elements are also taken into account: ventilation outlets, structures, parapets, and walkways.
4) Resistance to Quebec winters
The Plateau, like all of Montreal, presents a reality: snow accumulation, wind, ice, thaws, and refreeze. A rooftop installation must be designed to:
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maintain mechanical stability (no “play” on the base),
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ensure proper water drainage during defrosting.
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minimize the risk of obstruction by snowdrifts or projected snow.
What the installation changes for the customer: comfort, silence, control
A Gree FreeMatch MultiZone , properly sized and installed, provides immediate benefits:
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Comfortable heating during the shoulder seasons (and in winter, depending on the configuration and use).
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Uniform air conditioning during Montreal heat waves.
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Reduction of perceived noise : on the roof, the unit is moved away from living spaces, while controlling vibrations.
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Zone control : each room becomes “adjustable” according to actual needs.
In urban housing, this is often the point that changes everything: no longer having to cool or heat “entirely” when you simply want to be comfortable in a specific room.
Our AirGreen method: reliability, cleanliness, and respect for the building
When installing a heat pump on a flat roof in Greater Montreal, it's not simply a matter of connecting a unit. A long-term approach is taken:
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Choosing the right positioning for performance and future maintenance .
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installation of supports designed to protect the roof ,
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fixing and routing of connections to prevent premature wear ,
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clean finish (because a residential construction site needs to stay neat).
And above all: we take the realities of condominiums in the Plateau area seriously (close neighbors, noise, building regulations, roof access, etc.). A successful installation is one that works… and doesn't create problems in the medium term.
Practical advice for condo and plex owners in the Plateau
If you are considering a rooftop MultiZone heat pump, here are some things that deserve special attention:
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The exact location : avoid areas where water stagnates and keep clear spaces.
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The support : avoid improvised solutions that crush the membrane.
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Vibrations : a detail on paper, a major irritant in reality if poorly managed.
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Access to maintenance : filters and service, this is planned from the installation stage.
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Sizing : a high-performance multi-zone system depends as much on the calculation as on the installation.
At AirGreen, it is precisely this mix (calculation + execution + finishing) that makes the difference on the ground.
The job tools
Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.
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 room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
Model, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
Floors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
A single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
Set on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
Connected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
A dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
Leak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
Remote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
- The on-site estimateWe look at the room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
- The quoteModel, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
- Getting readyFloors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
- The wall openingA single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
- The outdoor unitSet on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
- Lines, cable and drainConnected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
- The electrical workA dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
- Tests and start-upLeak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
- The walkthroughRemote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
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.
Mounted level on a wall plate, high enough for the air to reach the whole room, with enough space around it to slide the filters out easily.
The refrigerant lines, the communication cable and the drain go through the wall in a single opening, sealed against water, cold air and insects.
Two insulated copper pipes connect the two units. Outside, a line cover can protect them from sun, knocks and weather.
A shut-off switch near the outdoor unit isolates it safely for service. It must stay accessible at all times.
The compressor and the fan. In heating mode it captures heat from the outdoor air, even in winter, and moves it inside.
On the ground or on the wall, it keeps the unit above accumulated snow. The unit stays clear and defrost water can drain away.
The fan needs to blow freely. Storage, a fence or a wall too close, and efficiency drops while noise goes up.
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.
- Clean the indoor unit's filters.
- Clear leaves and debris left on the outdoor unit by winter.
- Test cooling before the first hot days.
- Clean the filters more often when the unit runs a lot.
- Keep plants away from the outdoor unit.
- Check that no water drips from the indoor unit.
- Rake the leaves around the outdoor unit.
- Test heating before the first cold days.
- Book periodic maintenance before winter.
- Keep snow away from the stand and the front of the unit.
- Let the unit defrost: it is normal.
- Never hit the ice on the fins; call us if the unit stays iced up.
The right pages, at the right time
Four statements: true or false?
It all comes down to details you have just seen.
1. In heating mode, the outdoor unit can produce water.
During defrost cycles. That water must drain away without forming ice.
2. You pick the capacity with a simple square-footage rule.
Windows, insulation, orientation and how the room is used all count. Capacity is chosen on site.
3. A multi-zone connects several indoor heads to a single condenser.
One head per room, all on the same condenser. Each room keeps its own temperature.
4. The disconnect can sit behind the patio furniture.
It must stay accessible: it is what shuts the unit off for service.
0 / 4 right answers
What people ask us about this kind of work
Does a wall-mounted heat pump heat in winter?
Wall-mounted or multi-zone: how do I choose?
Where does the outdoor unit go?
Are there grants?
Do I need a permit?
How cold can it heat?
How much can I save?
How is the LogisVert assistance calculated?
Is it noisy?
The outdoor unit is covered in ice: is that normal?
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).