A raised outdoor support installation where stability, clearance, and future maintenance guided every decision
At Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, we installed a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 500 wall-mounted heat pump with R-32 refrigerant in an outdoor configuration that perfectly illustrates why the outdoor unit’s support deserves as much attention as the choice of heat pump itself.
The photo taken during our work shows several interesting technical details. The Fujitsu outdoor unit does not rest directly on the concrete: it is installed on a raised four-legged metal support, securely positioned on the existing surface. Between the heat pump’s feet and the support’s upper crossbar, we can also see mechanical isolation elements that help limit vibration transmission.
The equipment is located near a brick wall, but its ventilation side remains unobstructed. The result is a compact installation that maintains the access required for the unit while providing greater protection for the heat pump against ground-level accumulation.
In the photo, the tools still resting on top of the unit show that we are in the middle of the project rather than after a staging session. This is precisely the type of installation we like to showcase: a real HVAC project in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, with the technical decisions being made directly on site.
Why raise an outdoor heat pump in Quebec?
The support visible in this installation is not merely an aesthetic accessory.
An outdoor heat pump unit must operate during the summer, but above all withstand the much more demanding conditions of a Quebec winter. In Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, as elsewhere on the South Shore, we must take snow, freezing rain, freeze-thaw cycles, and the water produced during defrost cycles into account.
Installing the unit directly at surface level can, depending on the configuration, increase the risk of the lower part of the cabinet being surrounded by snow or ice.
The elevated support provides several advantages:
- it increases the clearance beneath the heat pump;
- it facilitates water drainage during defrosting;
- it limits the risk of obstruction caused by accumulation at ground level;
- it makes certain service points more accessible;
- it reduces direct contact between the cabinet and the surface;
- it makes cleaning around the equipment easier.
A proper wall-mounted heat pump installation must be designed not only for the day it is switched on, but also for the following January.
A stable base before commissioning
An outdoor heat pump contains, among other components, a compressor and a fan. These components naturally create small vibrations during operation.
The support must therefore be stable, level, and correctly positioned.
In this installation in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, the unit rests on the support’s upper crossbar at several well-defined points. Anti-vibration components are visible beneath the machine’s feet. Their role is important: they help reduce mechanical transmission between the appliance and the structure supporting it.
This is particularly useful when the installation is near an occupied part of the building.
A machine advertised as quiet can still become unpleasant if its vibrations are amplified by a poorly stabilized metal structure. We therefore pay just as much attention to the support as to the refrigerant connection.
The clearance in front of the outdoor heat exchanger should never be treated as a detail
In the photo, the large front fan and its grille occupy most of the outdoor unit’s façade.
This surface must be able to move a significant volume of air.
A common mistake is to choose the location based solely on the question: “Will the machine fit here?”
For us, the real question is instead: will it be able to operate properly here throughout its entire service life?
We must avoid situations where the heat pump is located too close to:
- an opposing wall;
- a solid guardrail;
- an outdoor piece of furniture;
- a fence;
- another air-conditioning unit;
- an area where snow is systematically pushed;
- an obstacle that causes discharged air to recirculate.
In this installation in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, the main face of the unit remains open, which promotes good air discharge.
Close proximity to the brick wall requires precise placement
The unit is installed near the building wall, allowing for a compact outdoor layout.
This proximity must nevertheless be managed carefully.
We check the required clearances around the cabinet, access to the service panel, and the routing of the refrigerant lines and cables. An outdoor unit must not be wedged against the wall to the point that maintenance or repairs become unnecessarily complex.
We are thinking in particular of the day when a technician will need to:
- measure pressures or temperatures;
- access the service valves;
- check the electrical connections;
- inspect the compressor;
- clean the heat exchanger;
- work on the fan.
A good HVAC installation therefore remains accessible for several years after the initial installation.
A Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 500 using the new R-32 refrigerant
The photo clearly shows the marking R32 on the outdoor cabinet.
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 500 series does indeed use R-32 refrigerant. Fujitsu’s documentation indicates a global warming potential of 675 for R-32, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, corresponding to a 68% reduction in GWP in the comparison presented by the manufacturer.
This refrigerant change is particularly important when replacing an older heat pump.
We never assume that existing piping can automatically be reused. The pipe diameters, condition, and compatibility with the new equipment must be verified before the final decision.
A range from 9,000 to 33,000 BTU/h in nominal cooling
The Altair 500 is not a single unit, but a range comprising several capacities.
Fujitsu’s documentation lists the models:
- 09KPAS1: 9,000 BTU/h in nominal cooling;
- 12KPAS1: 12,000 BTU/h;
- 18KPAS1: 18,000 BTU/h;
- 24KPAS1: 22,000 BTU/h;
- 30KPAS1: 30,000 BTU/h;
- 36KPAS1: 33,000 BTU/h.
The nominal heating capacities, for their part, range from 10,000 to 34,000 BTU/h, depending on the version.
The photograph of our project in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil does not show the nameplate clearly enough to confirm the exact capacity of the installed unit. We therefore prefer not to assign a BTU rating based on its apparent dimensions.
This is also a good rule for any homeowner comparing heat pumps: the appearance of the outdoor cabinet cannot reliably determine a system’s sizing.
The right capacity depends on the building, not just its floor area
During our installations in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, we regularly meet homeowners who received a recommendation based solely on square footage.
Floor area is useful, but it does not tell the whole story.
We must also consider:
- the building’s age;
- its insulation level;
- the number and type of windows;
- ceiling height;
- solar exposure;
- the room layout;
- the number of floors;
- heat losses;
- the area actually served by the wall-mounted unit.
Two 1,500 sq. ft. homes may require two completely different solutions.
TRÈS2 efficiencies of up to 26.0
Fujitsu’s technical sheet lists TRÈS2 values ranging from 21.0 to 26.0 for the Altair 500 series, depending on capacity.
The 09KPAS1 reaches 26.0, while the 12KPAS1 is listed at 24.0. Higher-capacity models have different values, adapted to their own characteristics.
Fujitsu also lists different ENERGY STAR ratings depending on the model.
These figures are useful for comparing equipment, but we always remind customers that final performance also depends on the installation.
A heat pump that is highly efficient on paper can lose some of its advantage if:
- it is improperly sized;
- the refrigeration circuit has a restriction;
- the vacuum was not performed correctly;
- the airflow is insufficient;
- the outdoor unit recirculates its own air;
- the filters are constantly clogged.
The equipment and installation must therefore be considered as a whole.
The Altair 500 technical details that matter after installation
Inverter technology and capacity modulation
The Fujitsu Altair 500 uses an Inverter compressor.
The benefit of this technology is its ability to adjust the equipment’s operation according to the space’s actual needs.
For example, Fujitsu gives the 12KPAS1 model an air-conditioning range of 3,100 to 13,600 BTU/h and a heating range of 2,700 to 17,000 BTU/h.
This modulation helps the system avoid operating constantly at full capacity when it is not necessary.
For occupants, this may help:
- maintain a more uniform temperature;
- reduce sudden comfort fluctuations;
- extend low-speed operating periods;
- to achieve quieter operation.
Heating down to -15 °C according to the published official range
Fujitsu indicates a heating operating range from -15 °C to 24 °C for the Altair 500 series models presented in the technical data sheet.
This information must be interpreted correctly.
A minimum operating temperature does not mean full rated capacity at that temperature. When we assess a heat pump for a home in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, we must therefore consider the building’s actual heating needs and the machine’s performance under the expected winter conditions.
This is particularly important in Quebec, where temperatures can drop below the operating range of certain models.
Different piping dimensions depending on the model
An essential detail during an installation or replacement concerns the refrigerant line dimensions.
For the Altair 500, Fujitsu states:
- 09KPAS1 and 12KPAS1: 1/4 in. liquid and 3/8 in. gas;
- 18KPAS1 and 24KPAS1: 1/4 in. liquid and 1/2 in. gas;
- 30KPAS1 and 36KPAS1: 3/8 in. liquid and 5/8 in. gas.
That is why we never confirm that an old line set can be reused without an inspection.
A properly installed line set may be in excellent condition and still have the wrong diameter for the new heat pump.
Electrical requirements increase with capacity
The entire range operates at 208–230 V, 60 Hz, single-phase, but the recommended breaker varies by model.
The Fujitsu specification sheet states:
- 15 A for the 09KPAS1, 12KPAS1, and 18KPAS1;
- 20 A for the 24KPAS1;
- 30 A for the 30KPAS1 and 36KPAS1.
This information is a reminder of why the electrical work should not be prepared solely based on what is already available at the panel.
The circuit must match the model actually installed.
A piping length that provides good flexibility
Depending on the capacity, Fujitsu allows maximum piping lengths of 66, 98, or 164 feet, with a maximum vertical difference of up to 49, 82, or 98 feet, respectively.
This flexibility can be especially useful in homes where the indoor and outdoor units cannot be placed back to back.
On certain projects in Longueuil, Montréal, and the South Shore, we need to work around a terrace, change floors, or move the outdoor unit to a more suitable location for noise and traffic.
The technical ability to cover a great distance does not, however, mean that the lines should be deliberately lengthened. We always favor a logical, protected, and as direct a route as the building’s configuration allows.
Quiet operation: up to 19 dB(A) indoors
The indoor unit of some lower-capacity models in the Altair 500 series can operate at just 19 dB(A) in quiet mode, according to the Fujitsu technical data sheet.
Levels vary with capacity, but this feature remains appealing for a wall-mounted heat pump installed in a living room, bedroom, or workspace.
The outdoor unit also has a low-noise operating mode, according to Fujitsu documentation.
The mechanical installation remains crucial, however. A quiet system mounted on an unstable support can become much more noticeable than it should be.
This is precisely why the visible details of our Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil installation—stable structure and carefully prepared support points—are important.
ProCore and Hydro Fin inside
The Altair 500 documentation mentions highly corrosion-resistant copper ProCore coils for the indoor unit, as well as a Hydro Fin finned heat exchanger designed to improve corrosion resistance.
The heat pump also includes a backlit wireless remote control and can accommodate various control accessories.
Wi-Fi connectivity can, among other options, be achieved with a compatible WLAN adapter. Fujitsu also offers various integration options, including BACnet and Modbus interfaces for certain applications.
Outdoor drainage deserves just as much attention as the refrigerant connections.
The photo also shows a flexible line near the installation.
In a heat pump project, water drainage must be managed carefully, whether it involves condensate from the indoor unit or water generated during outdoor operation and defrosting.
In winter, improperly directed water can freeze in a passageway, accumulate beneath a unit, or create a mass of ice.
We therefore always look for a route that allows water to drain away without affecting the machine’s operation or the building’s use.
An installation that must allow for maintenance in five or ten years
The photo of Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil shows an easily identifiable and relatively unobstructed outdoor unit.
This access is intentionally significant.
For HVAC maintenance, we may eventually need to inspect:
- the outdoor coil;
- the grille and fan;
- the refrigeration connections;
- the electrical components;
- the service valves;
- the condition of the supports;
- the pipe insulation.
An installation that seems very discreet during the work but makes every future service call complicated is not, in our view, a good installation.
ENERGY STAR and subsidies: why we always verify the exact system number
The Altair 500 series has several ENERGY STAR classifications depending on the model. Some models in the range are also associated with cold-climate designations in the Fujitsu documentation.
However, the Altair 500 range as a whole should not be used to automatically infer eligibility for a subsidy.
Eligibility must be confirmed based on the exact combination of indoor and outdoor units and the rules of the program applicable at the time of the project.
For homeowners comparing several heat pumps in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, we therefore always recommend looking at:
- the exact indoor model;
- the exact outdoor model;
- the capacity;
- the applicable certification;
- the official reference used for the financial assistance application.
This verification prevents unpleasant surprises once the installation is complete.
What this Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil project shows about our work
At first glance, this project appears simple: a Fujitsu outdoor unit on a support.
On closer inspection, however, you can see much of what defines a professional heat pump installation.
We have an elevated unit to better manage outdoor conditions, a support that keeps the equipment stable, suitable support points, ample clearance at the front, a compact installation close to the building, and enough space for future service work.
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 500 is the heart of the system here, but the result depends on everything surrounding it.
At AirGreen, we approach our projects in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and throughout the South Shore the same way: we choose the location based on the building, verify the specifications for the exact model, and install the heat pump with both its first summer and its fifth winter in mind.
It is this combination of equipment selection, mechanical installation, refrigeration work, electrical preparation, and attention to future maintenance that allows a Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pump to deliver the performance it was designed to provide.