Installation of a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump in Verdun (Montreal): discreet comfort on the balcony, solid performance
In Verdun, AirGreen installed a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone heat pump on a balcony: raised support, optimized clearances, protected pipes and discreet operation for lasting comfort in an urban environment.
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In Verdun, apartment buildings and condos with balconies are plentiful. And when it comes to improving comfort without altering the building envelope or sacrificing interior space, the most logical solution is often a multi-zone heat pump . In this project completed by AirGreen , we installed a Gree FreeMatch : a system designed to power several indoor units (one per room or zone) from a single outdoor unit . The result: precise air conditioning in the summer, efficient heating during the colder months, and clean integration—even in a more confined space like a balcony.
Why Gree FreeMatch is often the right choice in Verdun
Many Verdun homes feature typical layouts: an open-plan living room and kitchen, separate bedrooms, sometimes an office, and very different needs from one room to another. The Gree FreeMatch (MultiZone) range perfectly addresses this reality:
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One outdoor unit , but several independent indoor zones
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Temperature adjusted room by room (ideal for avoiding overheating or over-cooling)
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Inverter technology , therefore more stable, quieter and more energy-efficient operation
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A flexible approach for homes where ductwork is not a realistic option.
In Greater Montreal, this type of configuration is particularly popular in areas such as Verdun , Le Sud-Ouest , Ville-Marie , Rosemont and Ahuntsic , where people want modern comfort without heavy construction work.
Type of machine installed
This is clearly a MultiZone heat pump (multi-zone mini-split) , with a Gree FreeMatch outdoor unit (brand provided manually, used as a reference). Even though the photo mainly shows the exterior, the installation logic and the size of the outdoor unit are consistent with a MultiZone configuration.
Model (consistent with the range) : Gree FreeMatch – MultiZone inverter system (the exact sub-model is not legible on the label from the photo, we are deliberately being precise without inventing a complete number).
What the image reveals: a clean and structured balcony installation
In the photo, the outdoor unit is installed on a balcony with a railing, on a raised metal support . This detail is far from insignificant: in urban environments, the balcony sometimes becomes the most logical location, but it imposes very strict installation guidelines.
Prominent (visible) installation details
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Outdoor unit on raised metal support : excellent for limiting contact with the floor, promoting drainage, facilitating maintenance and reducing vibration transmission.
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Air clearances respected in relation to the walls and guardrail: essential for the efficiency and longevity of the compressor.
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Protected refrigeration lines : a clean path is visible, with protection/sheathing, which reduces wear and improves aesthetics.
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Dedicated electrical section with nearby junction box : in line with a safe and practical approach to maintenance.
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Dense residential environment : visual integration and noise control are priorities (and this can be seen in the choice of medium and location).
Typical constraints of a balcony in Verdun (and how AirGreen manages them)
Installing a heat pump on a balcony isn't "just a matter of dropping it in." Several factors need to be considered:
1) Vibration and noise management
On a balcony, the structure can amplify vibrations if the unit is placed directly on the ground. That's why we recommend:
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a rigid, raised support ,
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stable points of support ,
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an installation that reduces transmission to the building structure.
Objective: discreet operation, particularly important in condos or apartment buildings where cohabitation requires a real attention to detail.
2) Clearances and air circulation
An outdoor unit needs to breathe. Too close to a wall, a solid railing, or an enclosed corner, it can:
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to lose performance
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increase its consumption
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wear out prematurely.
On this project in Verdun, the unit is positioned so as to maintain good air intake and efficient expulsion , without compromising the use of the balcony.
3) Pipe protection and aesthetic finish
In Montreal, the goal is to be efficient, but also visually clean . The pipes and cables must be:
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protected,
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securely fixed,
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designed to limit the risk of snagging or damage.
The installation presented shows a clear and distinct path — exactly what one looks for in an urban context.
The tangible benefits of a Gree FreeMatch MultiZone on a daily basis
Once the system is in place, the gains are very tangible:
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Targeted comfort : you heat/cool the rooms you use, not the entire home unnecessarily.
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Temperature stability : the inverter avoids abrupt “on/off” cycles, therefore fewer fluctuations and more comfort.
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Energy efficiency : a well-sized and well-installed MultiZone can reduce overconsumption associated with supplementary solutions.
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Added value : in a neighborhood like Verdun, air-conditioned and well-heated accommodation is a real plus on the market.
The most important point: the sizing and quality of execution
Even the best machine won't compensate:
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incorrect sizing
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incorrect positioning of the outdoor unit,
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poorly protected pipes,
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or an installation that neglects clearances.
At AirGreen , our approach is simple: we aim for an installation that ticks three boxes at once:
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Performance (actual output, not “on paper”)
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Durability (installation designed to last in the Quebec climate)
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Integration (clean, safe, aesthetic, and adapted to the building)
Recommended maintenance to maintain performance year after year
For a Gree FreeMatch , we particularly recommend:
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Periodic cleaning of the indoor unit filters (simple, but crucial),
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Seasonal check of clearances around the outdoor unit (leaves, dust, obstacles),
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Periodic professional maintenance to validate pressures, yield, drainage and general condition.
This is especially true in cities: dust, soot and fine particles can accumulate faster than in more open areas.
Conclusion: an ideal MultiZone installation for Verdun
This balcony installation perfectly illustrates what's sought after in a neighborhood like Verdun : modern comfort , a solution adapted to urban constraints , and a clean, sustainable installation. The Gree FreeMatch is a relevant MultiZone option when you want to precisely heat and cool several spaces without turning your home into a construction site.
At AirGreen , we install this type of solution all over Montreal — including Verdun , Le Sud-Ouest , Ville-Marie , Rosemont , Villeray , as well as Laval , on the South Shore and the North Shore — with the same objective: a reliable, well-installed, and pleasant living system.
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).