Installation of an ELIOS EMC wall-mounted heat pump in Elgin, Quebec, on an elevated wall bracket

Precise placement between the foundation, the basement windows, and the route of the lines

This wall-mounted heat pump installation in Elgin perfectly illustrates why the outdoor unit’s placement must be studied according to the building, rather than chosen solely based on where there appears to be room. On this brick property, several constraints were present in the same area: two basement windows, a downspout, a concrete foundation, a grassy yard, and a relatively narrow space along the wall.

We installed an ELIOS EMC wall-mounted heat pump on a metal support secured to the foundation. This keeps the outdoor unit well above the ground, without obstructing the basement openings or unnecessarily taking up space in the yard.

The result visible in the photo is compact, accessible, and suited to Quebec’s climate. However, it relies on several technical decisions that directly influence the unit’s reliability, the perceived sound level inside the house, and the ease of future HVAC maintenance work.

Why install the unit on the foundation rather than directly on the brick?

The exterior wall of this residence has an upper masonry section and a lower section corresponding to the foundation. The heat pump support was positioned in the lower area to create a stable base while maintaining sufficient distance from the windows.

When the building conditions allow it, mounting on a solid foundation can offer several advantages:

• better structural stability;
• a load distributed across a sturdy material;
• a reduced risk of damaging the bricks or mortar joints;
• a visually lower installation, without placing the unit at the level of the main windows;
• convenient access to the service panels.

A wall-mounted installation must always be carried out using anchors suited to the material encountered. It is not enough to see a brick or concrete surface: we must determine where the load will actually be transferred and verify that the support will not shift under the weight of the unit, compressor vibrations, and seasonal stresses.

The ELIOS EMC series includes outdoor units whose weight varies according to capacity. The documentation indicates approximately 73 lb for the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU models, nearly 100 lb for the 18,000 BTU model, approximately 130 lb for the 24,000 BTU model, and nearly 157 lb for the 33,000 BTU model. The mounting structure must therefore be selected based on the exact model, not merely the enclosure’s general appearance.

A height that protects the unit without blocking the windows

The outdoor unit was mounted high enough to maintain clearance beneath the cabinet. This height meets several needs.

First, it keeps the heat pump away from grass, damp soil, leaves, and debris. Second, it leaves space beneath the unit’s pan for draining the water produced during winter defrost cycles.

A wall-mounted heat pump in heating mode extracts heat from the outdoor air. When frost forms on the coil, the system periodically performs a defrost cycle. The resulting water must be able to drain freely. If the unit is installed too close to the ground, this water can refreeze directly beneath the unit and gradually form a mass of ice.

The EMC series features a heated condensate pan, designed to limit ice buildup and support operation in cold weather. However, this device does not replace proper clearance beneath the unit. The machine’s features and the quality of its installation must work together.

In this Elgin project, it was also necessary to avoid placing the unit in front of the basement windows. A poorly planned installation could have reduced natural light, made it difficult to open a window, or made certain parts of the heat pump difficult to access.

Triangulated supports to keep the unit stable

The visible support consists of two vertical posts and diagonal arms that form a triangulated structure. This geometry limits flexing under the load and keeps the outdoor platform in a stable position.

The heat pump’s feet rest on the support’s horizontal arms. Isolators are placed at the contact points to reduce the direct transmission of vibrations to the metal and foundation.

This detail is important when an outdoor unit is mounted to the building. Even a relatively quiet heat pump produces mechanical vibrations that vary according to:

• compressor speed;
• the fan speed;
• the outdoor temperature;
• the heating or cooling demand;
• the defrost cycle;
• the unit’s modulation frequency.

The Inverter technology in the ELIOS EMC allows the compressor to adjust its operation to demand. As the speed varies, the vibration frequencies may also change. A rigid installation without proper isolation could create a noticeable humming sound in certain rooms.

We therefore check the level, the tightness of the fasteners, the spacing between the cabinet and the wall, and the absence of unintended contact between the lines and the structure.

A diagonal route that goes around the building’s obstacles

One of the most distinctive elements of this installation is the white line set cover that rises diagonally toward the outdoor unit.

In an ideal installation on paper, the refrigerant lines always seem to follow a short, perfectly vertical path. On a real building, their route must take into account the windows, interior structure, downspout, foundation walls, and the location chosen for the indoor unit.

Here, the diagonal route reaches the outdoor unit while avoiding the basement openings and protecting the lines along the visible portion of the route. This conduit helps protect and group the components connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor unit.

A properly installed line set cover helps to:

• protect the line insulation from UV rays;
• reduce exposure to impacts and the elements;
• maintain a clean route along the building;
• facilitate visual inspection;
• limit the risk of cables or lines hanging freely;
• preserve the appearance of the side façade.

The route chosen must also take the indoor unit’s drainage into account. The condensate line must maintain an adequate slope when operating by gravity. A reverse slope or sag can cause water to back up, odors, or an indoor leak.

The distance from the wall and airflow

An outdoor unit must be able to draw in and discharge air without obstruction. In the photo, the front fan is completely unobstructed. It is not facing a nearby fence, an opposite wall, or an immediate obstacle.

The rear side must also maintain the clearance specified by the manufacturer. A heat pump placed too close to masonry may not receive enough air, accumulate more debris on its heat exchanger, and become more difficult to clean.

We also consider the presence of windows. The selected location minimizes obstruction while keeping the unit's side components accessible for service. In an HVAC installation, a few poorly calculated inches can turn a routine intervention into a long and costly operation.

ELIOS EMC heat pump performance and decisions to make before installation

A range from 9,000 to 33,000 BTU

The ELIOS EMC series is available in five nominal cooling sizes:

The precise capacity of the photographed unit is not clear enough to be confirmed from the image alone. Reliable identification must be based on the model number shown on the nameplate and the installation records.

This distinction is important. Two units that look similar externally may have very different electrical requirements, pipe diameters, and capacities.

Sizing must be based on the building's needs, including:

• the area actually served;
• the number of floors;
• wall and roof insulation;
• air infiltration;
• the number and orientation of the windows;
• sun exposure;
• the ceiling height;
• the opening between rooms;
• the capacity of the existing heating system.

Choosing a heat pump based solely on an approximate BTU-per-square-foot rule can lead to a poor result. An oversized unit may run unnecessarily short cycles in cooling mode. An undersized unit may struggle to meet the heating load during the coldest periods.

Heating advertised down to -30 °C

The EMC series is designed for the cold climate, and its heating operating range extends down to -30 °C, according to the manufacturer's documentation. Heat+ technology is intended to maintain higher heating output as the outdoor temperature decreases.

The brochure also indicates a rated heating capacity maintained down to -15 °C under the specified test conditions. These characteristics make the ELIOS EMC suitable for a property in Elgin, where the heat pump must be selected based on actual winter conditions and not solely on summer cooling.

This does not automatically mean that the unit will replace every other heating source in every home. The need for auxiliary heating depends on the home's heat loss and the selected model's capacity at low temperatures.

The series also offers integrated auxiliary heating control, which may enable coordination with a baseboard heater or another heat source, depending on the selected configuration.

Inverter technology and frequency control in 1% increments

The Inverter compressor does not operate only at full power or when stopped. It modulates its speed to adapt more precisely to demand.

The EMC documentation mentions compressor frequency control in increments of 1 % for the entire series. This modulation is intended to reduce temperature fluctuations and repeated on-off cycles.

In a properly sized installation, this can result in:

• more stable indoor temperatures;
• extended operation at low speed;
• better dehumidification in summer;
• fewer abrupt starts;
• energy consumption better suited to actual needs;
• more consistent sound levels.

However, the technology cannot compensate for poor installation. Restricted airflow, an incorrect refrigerant charge, or an improperly sized unit will reduce the expected benefits.

R454B refrigerant and integrated safety measures

The ELIOS EMC operates with R454B refrigerant. The photo also shows a safety label bearing the pictogram associated with its mildly flammable nature.

This type of refrigerant requires the installer to use the procedures, tools, and practices intended for fluids in the corresponding category. This includes ensuring:

1. proper line preparation;
2. leak-tight connections;
3. a pressure test;
4. a measured vacuum evacuation;
5. commissioning according to the manufacturer's requirements;
6. a post-startup operation check.

The series also includes a refrigerant leak detection sensor. According to the brochure, this device can shut down the system and activate the fan when a leak is detected.

Pipe diameters vary by capacity. The 9,000 and 12,000 BTU models use 1/4 in. and 3/8 in. lines. The 18,000 BTU model uses 1/4 in. and 1/2 in., the 24,000 BTU model uses 3/8 in. and 5/8 in., while the 33,000 BTU model requires 3/8 in. and 3/4 in. This information must be confirmed before ordering the equipment and before work begins.

Energy performance and cold-climate certification

All capacities presented in the brochure are identified as certified under ENERGY STAR V6.1 and ENERGY STAR V6.1 cold climate.

Seasonal cooling performance reaches up to 26.0 TRÉS2, while the regional V CPSC2 reaches up to 10.1, depending on the model.

These values are not identical from one capacity to another. Therefore, the model displaying the highest BTU rating is not necessarily the one offering the best seasonal performance. Selection should seek a balance among the building load, modulation, air distribution, and efficiency.

Subsidies: verify the exact combination before promising an amount

ENERGY STAR certification for cold climates may be part of the requirements for certain financial assistance programs. On its own, it is not sufficient to guarantee a subsidy.

Eligibility must be verified against:

• the exact indoor unit number;
• the exact outdoor unit number;
• the recognized combination;
• the applicable AHRI or energy reference;
• the capacity recognized by the program;
• the purchase and installation date;
• the type of building;
• the criteria in effect at the time of the application.

The brochure confirms the series’ general certifications, but it does not provide a subsidy amount specific to this Elgin installation. We therefore avoid announcing an amount without first validating the exact model and applicable rules.

Indoor and outdoor acoustic comfort

Depending on capacity, the stated outdoor sound level ranges from 56 to 63.5 dB(A). Indoors, the units can reach approximately 20 dB(A) at their quietest setting, depending on the model.

Actual sound comfort also depends on placement. An indoor unit installed directly above a bed, an outdoor unit mounted without isolators, or a duct resting against the structure can create a nuisance that does not appear in the manufacturer’s data.

In the photographed project, mounting on isolators, the rigidity of the support, and clearance around the fan help create good operating conditions.

Filtration, active cleaning, and freeze-protection mode

The ELIOS EMC series includes several useful everyday features:

• variable-speed indoor fan;
• two-stage filtration system;
• main filter for dust, pollen, and pet hair;
• carbon filter;
• active coil-cleaning function;
• turbo mode;
• silent mode;
• “Do Not Disturb” mode;
• 8°C freeze-protection setting;
• automatic restart after a power outage;
• optional wall-mounted controller;
• wireless connectivity with a compatible accessory.

The 8°C mode may be appropriate for a temporarily unoccupied residence, but it does not replace proper building monitoring. Water pipes located in cold or poorly insulated areas may require a higher temperature.

Recommended maintenance for this configuration in Elgin

The wall-mounted installation makes several maintenance tasks easier, since the unit remains visible and accessible. To maintain good performance, we recommend that you:

• regularly clear leaves and grass from around the unit;
• prevent vegetation from growing against the heat exchanger;
• keep the underside of the unit free of ice;
• never pour hot water over a frozen buildup;
• clean the indoor filters according to usage;
• watch for any noise or change in vibration;
• check the condition of the line-set cover after winter;
• schedule professional cleaning when the coil is dirty.

You should also avoid storing objects in front of the fan. An obstacle placed too close to the unit can cause discharged air to recirculate and reduce performance.

This project demonstrates the importance of an installation adapted to the building

This ELIOS EMC wall-mounted heat pump installation in Elgin is about more than choosing a unit. The bracket, height, diagonal line-set routing, proximity to the windows, foundation, and clearances form a single system.

At AirGreen, we apply the same care to installations carried out in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore. Buildings vary, but the principles remain the same: size the system correctly, protect the lines, control vibrations, plan for drainage, and leave sufficient access for servicing.

In this specific case, the wall bracket preserved floor space, kept the unit above the vegetation, avoided the basement windows, and provided a neat outdoor installation. It is this site-specific adaptation that allows a heat pump designed for cold climates to operate under the conditions for which it was selected.