Installation of a Gree FreeMatch heat pump on a flat roof in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
In Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, AirGreen installed a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump on a flat roof , with raised supports and membrane protection. An ideal solution for heating and cooling multiple zones in an urban environment.
Take a tour of the installation
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.
On some Montreal residential buildings—especially modernized plexes and small condos—the best place for an outdoor unit isn't in the yard or on a balcony: it's on the roof . This is exactly the scenario for this installation by AirGreen in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie , where we installed a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump (multi-split system) designed to power several indoor units with one or more outdoor units, while maintaining excellent room-by-room comfort control.
The image speaks for itself: a flat, granular roof , existing mechanical clearances, and two outdoor units installed on raised supports , resting on wooden slats to protect the membrane and distribute the load. This type of configuration is common in Montreal and requires a precise approach: stability, vibration, drainage, service access, and above all, durability against freeze/thaw cycles.
Why a Gree FreeMatch (MultiZone) is perfect for this type of building
The Gree FreeMatch is a logical choice when you want to:
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Air condition and heat multiple zones (bedrooms, living room, office) with a single MultiZone system
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Avoid having too many visible outdoor units (facade, balcony, courtyard)
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Obtain independent control by zone (temperature, schedules, actual usage)
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Maintaining a clean, discreet installation adapted to urban constraints
In a neighbourhood like Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, you often find indoor units spread over different floors, partial renovations, or redesigned spaces (converted attics, modernized upper floors, etc.). MultiZone then becomes a flexible solution: air conditioning is provided where needed, without over-equipping the rest.
Type of machine installed
Here, we are clearly dealing with a Gree FreeMatch brand MultiZone heat pump (mini-split multizone) .
Even if the exact model is not legible in the photo (technical label too far away), the whole is consistent with a FreeMatch range: compact outdoor units, designed to manage several indoor evaporators, with an installation logic typical of modern multi-splits.
The visible installation details (and what they mean in practical terms)
1) Installation on a flat roof : a real “technical challenge”
Installing an outdoor unit on a flat roof isn't complicated… if it's done correctly. Here, we see a granular surface, typical of elastomeric/granular roofs. Our priority: never damaging the membrane , while ensuring a stable base.
2) Raised supports + wooden slats: protection and longevity
In the photo, the units are:
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Raised on rigid bases (better ventilation, access, snow/ice clearance)
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Placed on wooden battens (load distribution, pressure point reduction, roof protection)
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Installed in such a way as to maintain clearances around the heat exchanger (essential for efficiency and maintenance)
It's a detail that seems simple, but it changes everything: a unit placed "directly" on a roof often ends up creating problems (transmitted vibrations, marked membrane, disturbed drainage, noise).
3) Vibration and noise management
In urban environments, noise is a major concern: close neighbors, rooms near skylights, adjoining buildings. A well-balanced, stand-mounted installation with an anti-vibration approach allows you to:
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reduce structural transmission
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limit the “humming” felt inside
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ensure better long-term stability
4) Routing of connections and cleanliness of the roof
On a roof, aesthetics also matter… but above all , safety and maintenance . The goal is to have a clear path for the connections (refrigerant + communication + power supply), without creating areas where water can accumulate or unnecessary obstacles.
Typical challenges of a rooftop MultiZone installation in Montreal
Wind and temperature variations
On a roof, the unit is more exposed: wind, direct sunlight, temperature cycles. Therefore, it is necessary to:
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a stable attachment
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a layout that respects clearance requirements
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a strategy for protecting the components (without stifling unity)
Drainage (air conditioning and defrosting mode)
A heat pump produces water:
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in air conditioning (condensation on the inside)
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in heating mode (defrosting of the outdoor unit)
On the roof, planning is done to prevent water from accumulating in the wrong places and creating problematic ice. Raising the roof helps, and intelligent placement avoids "trap" areas.
Service access
A successful installation isn't just about "it works today." It's also about:
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access for annual inspection
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access for cleaning
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access for intervention without demolition or improvisation
In the photo, the flat roof installation, with clearance, is clearly designed for this purpose.
Why this choice is very relevant for Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie
In this sector, we often see:
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duplexes with phased renovations
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upper floors warmer in summer
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Comfort needs vary depending on the room and occupancy
The Gree FreeMatch MultiZone responds exactly to this reality: you heat/cool where you really live , with better energy logic than a single system that forces the whole home to follow the same setting.
What we particularly like about this type of project (AirGreen vision)
At AirGreen, this type of installation is typical of our approach: adapting the solution to the building , not the other way around.
Our control points on a MultiZone flat roof project:
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Roof protection (distributed load, self-supporting)
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Mechanical stability (supports, alignment, vibrations)
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Actual performance (clearances, air circulation, layout)
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Simplified maintenance (access, clearances, service logic)
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Clean integration (organized processes, net result)
Maintenance tips (specifically for “rooftop installations”)
To maintain a system like the Gree FreeMatch's performance over the seasons:
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Perform an annual maintenance (inspection, cleaning, checks)
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Keep the area around the unit clear (leaves, debris, branches)
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Monitoring after major storms: debris accumulation, localized ice
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Never "enclose" the unit with unsuitable screens or covers: air must circulate.
Conclusion
This installation in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie perfectly illustrates what is sought in an urban HVAC project: an intelligent MultiZone solution, an outdoor unit placed in the right place (on the roof), and an execution that respects the essential rules — stability, clearances, roof protection, and accessibility.
With a Gree FreeMatch heat pump , you get precise comfort, zone by zone, in summer as in winter, while maintaining a discreet and durable installation — exactly what you want for residential buildings in Greater Montreal.
The big day, step by step
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 would it look like at your place?
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.
Four mistakes we do not make
Flip each card to see what we do instead.
Your own project, step by step
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.
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.
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).