Installation of a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump in Sainte-Dorothée (Laval)
In Sainte-Dorothée, AirGreen installed a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump: a single outdoor unit for multiple zones, with raised support, well-protected connections and an installation designed for snow, noise and durability.
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The job on one screen
The article, chapter by chapter
In Sainte-Dorothée, you often come across houses and duplexes with a familiar problem: several rooms to heat, but not necessarily the space (or the desire) to install multiple outdoor units. This is exactly the kind of situation where a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump makes perfect sense. At AirGreen , we recently installed this system to provide consistent comfort in multiple zones, while maintaining a clean, durable outdoor installation that's suitable for Quebec winters.
Why choose a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone in an area like Sainte-Dorothée?
MultiZone is the "smart" solution when you want:
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Heating and cooling multiple rooms (e.g., ground floor + bedrooms + basement)
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Control each zone separately (temperature, schedules, occupancy)
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Reduce clutter: a single outdoor unit rather than two or three
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Benefit from an excellent balance of performance and flexibility, especially in homes where energy optimization is key.
The Gree FreeMatch range is specifically designed for this purpose: a MultiZone outdoor compressor capable of supplying 2 to 3 (sometimes more) indoor units , depending on the configuration chosen.
The type of machine installed
In this project, we are clearly using a Gree FreeMatch brand MultiZone heat pump (mini-split multi-zone) .
In concrete terms, the system's role is twofold:
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Effective air conditioning in summer (including humidity control, very useful during hot periods)
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Supplementary/primary heating in winter depending on the insulation, layout and habits of the house
What the installation reveals (key details visible in the photo)
Even without seeing the inside, the outdoor unit reveals a lot about the quality of an installation. Several elements are particularly relevant here:
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Outdoor unit on an elevated support : placed on a stable structure above the paving stones. This is a major advantage in Quebec, as it limits the impact of water, ice, and leaves, and reduces the risks associated with accumulated snow.
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Passage of grouped and insulated refrigerant lines : we see a bundle of sheathed lines (black insulation), typical of a MultiZone (several lines for several indoor heads).
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Electrical safety box (proximity circuit breaker) installed on the fence: essential for safe and compliant maintenance.
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Route management to the home : pipes and cables are neatly directed to a point of entry, to avoid twisting, unnecessary exposure and vibration.
It is precisely the details that make the difference between an installation “that works today” and one that remains reliable for years .
Typical challenges encountered… and how they are addressed at AirGreen
In Sainte-Dorothée (as everywhere in Laval), outdoor facilities are often located near:
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of a wooden fence,
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of a landscaping project,
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of a cobblestone pedestrian crossing,
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of an area where water can run off after rain.
In this context, our approach is simple: prevention rather than repair .
1) Clearance and air circulation
An outdoor heat pump needs to breathe. Even if the location is compact, the aim is to position it in a way that:
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maintains sufficient clearance around the device,
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reduces the risk of cold air recirculation in winter,
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limits the accumulation of debris (leaves, soil, mulch).
2) Protection against snow and water
The raised support is an excellent choice here. In winter, it helps to:
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to maintain functional unity despite the onslaught,
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to prevent ice from blocking drainage
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reduce defrosting cycles disrupted by ground accumulation.
3) Noise and vibration reduction
A stable and well-installed system also means:
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less vibration transmitted to the ground,
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less resonance near fences,
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superior sound comfort for the customer… and the neighbors.
Why MultiZone is ideal for residential use (and how the customer experiences it)
On a daily basis, the benefit is very tangible:
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Consistent temperature : no more rooms that are “too hot” and “too cold”.
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Zone control : we heat/cool where it is needed, when it is needed.
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Efficiency : the system adapts its power; it does not operate “on or off”.
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Winter/summer comfort : a single investment for two seasons, perfectly relevant in Greater Montreal.
And most importantly: when the installation is clean (support, lines, power supply, clearance), the system retains its performance and longevity.
Recommended maintenance for a Gree FreeMatch
To maintain efficiency and avoid unnecessary breakdowns:
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Cleaning the filters of the indoor units (simple, regular)
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Seasonal check of the outdoor unit: leaves, dust, obstructions
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Drainage control (especially in spring)
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A periodic maintenance visit by a technician: pressure, connections, general condition
At AirGreen, we like to remind people of a truth: a high-performing MultiZone is a well-maintained MultiZone.
Common mistakes that are systematically avoided
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Installing the unit too low (hello snow/ice)
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Place the device against a fence with no clearance.
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Leaving connections exposed, poorly insulated, or too taut
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Neglecting the disconnect box (safety/maintenance)
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Improvising the routing of pipes at the expense of aesthetics and durability
Conclusion: a clean, logical and sustainable installation in Sainte-Dorothée
This Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump installation in Sainte-Dorothée (Laval) illustrates exactly what we aim for at AirGreen: a system adapted to the lifestyle , installed with real field logic, and designed for the Quebec climate .
If you live in Laval (Sainte-Dorothée, Chomedey, Fabreville, Laval-Ouest) or elsewhere in Greater Montreal and want to heat/cool multiple zones without needing multiple outdoor units, the Gree FreeMatch MultiZone is often an excellent option. We can guide you toward the right configuration (number of zones, capacity, location, finish) and ensure a clean, compliant, and long-lasting installation.
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).