A Fujitsu Altair 700 integrated into a kitchen where every inch of wall space mattered
In In Dundee, this installation of a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump perfectly illustrates the type of project where choosing the location requires as much attention as choosing the unit itself. The photo taken during the work shows a kitchen that was already quite crowded: a glass door, window, cabinets, work surface, wall accessories, pendant lighting, and very little large open wall space for a wall-mounted unit.
Our work at AirGreen therefore consisted of integrating the heat pump into this environment without compromising airflow, access to the unit, or the normal use of the room.
We installed the Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 indoor unit high up, between two openings and near the ceiling. This positioning makes use of a section of wall that would otherwise have been difficult to use, while leaving the countertops and work areas completely clear. In the photo, the heat pump is installed above a narrow section of wall bordered by a glass door on the left and a window on the right. This configuration clearly shows why an HVAC installation cannot be planned solely from a theoretical floor plan: the actual room constraints often determine the best routing.
The unit is deliberately positioned high enough to promote air circulation throughout the room. The relatively minimalist white front panel of the Fujitsu Altair 700 also blends discreetly with the kitchen’s existing colors.
A particularly compact wall-mounted heat pump
The physical size of an indoor unit becomes an important consideration in a room like this.
The Fujitsu Altair 700 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 indoor units measure only:
- 834 mm wide, or approximately 32 13/16 in;
- 270 mm high, or approximately 10 5/8 in;
- 222 mm deep, or approximately 8 3/4 in;
- for a weight of approximately 10 kg or 22 lb.
These dimensions give us more possibilities when a heat pump needs to be placed above a door, between two openings, or on a small section of wall.
In this Dundee kitchen, the unit’s low height is particularly advantageous. A bulkier heat pump could have extended farther down the wall and become visually dominant, or reduced the positioning options.
A project where the choice of the air outlet location is essential
The location of a wall-mounted air conditioner or wall-mounted heat pump directly affects the sensation of comfort.
We should avoid as much as possible:
- airflow directed straight at a person seated for long periods;
- an obstacle immediately in front of the louver;
- a tall cabinet blocking air distribution;
- an installation that is too low;
- a location that makes filter cleaning difficult;
- an area where condensate would be difficult to drain properly.
In this installation, the unit is mounted very high, and its lower louver can distribute air into the room. Fujitsu provides automatic vertical adjustment and manual horizontal adjustment on this series.
The fan has four speeds plus an automatic mode. At high speed, the airflow can reach approximately 680 m³/h, or 400 cfm. In quiet operation, it drops to approximately 260 m³/h, or 153 cfm.
This modulation capacity is useful in a room occupied daily: the heat pump does not necessarily need to operate continuously at maximum airflow to maintain the requested temperature.
Fujitsu Altair 700: two capacities suited to small and medium-sized zones
The technical documentation for the Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 series presents two single-zone models: the 09KMAS1 and the 12KMAS1. The site photo alone cannot confirm which of the two was installed in Dundee; the exact number must be verified on the nameplate or in the installation records.
The version 09KMAS1 has a rated capacity of:
- 9,000 BTU/h in cooling;
- from 3,100 to 12,100 BTU/h in cooling modulation;
- 12,000 BTU/h in heating;
- from 2,800 to 14,500 BTU/h in heating modulation.
The version 12KMAS1 offers:
- 12,000 BTU/h in cooling;
- from 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h in modulation;
- 14,000 BTU/h in heating;
- from 2,800 to 15,000 BTU/h in heating modulation.
This operating range is directly related to Inverter technology. Rather than operating only at full capacity and then shutting down completely, the compressor can adjust its output according to the zone’s demand. For the occupant, this can help maintain a more stable temperature and limit repeated on-off cycles.
Particularly high energy efficiency ratings
The Fujitsu Altair 700 also stands out for its efficiency ratings.
For the 9,000 BTU version, Fujitsu indicates a TRÈS2 of 30.0, a CPSC2 Region V of 9.9, and a TRE2 of 16.4.
For the 12,000 BTU model, the published data are:
- TRÈS2: 27.5;
- CPSC2 Region V: 8.5;
- TRE2: 13.5.
Both configurations are also listed in the manufacturer's data sheet with the ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, and ENERGY STAR Most Efficient classifications. This information appears in the Fujitsu technical data sheet provided for the Altair 700 series.
For a homeowner comparing several wall-mounted heat pumps in Dundee, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or South Shore, these figures provide a much more relevant basis than a comparison based solely on the number of BTUs.
Heating down to -15 °C
The Fujitsu Altair 700 has a heating operating range down to -15 °C.
Its stated operating range is:
Heating: -15 °C to 24 °C
Cooling: -10 °C to 50 °C
Fujitsu also indicates that the outdoor unit can produce up to 33% more heat than the labeled nominal capacity, depending on the conditions.
It is still important not to interpret a minimum operating temperature as a guarantee that the unit can independently meet 100% of a home's heating needs at that temperature.
At AirGreen, we always look at the building as a whole: insulation, area size, windows, orientation, air leakage, room layout, and the existing heating system.
A good heat pump installation starts with choosing a capacity suited to the actual needs.
A sound level of just 19 dB in quiet mode
In a kitchen open to a dining room or living area, noise can become just as important as performance.
The Fujitsu Altair 700 can operate at levels as low as 19 dB(A) in cooling and 21 dB(A) in heating at quiet speed.
The stated sound levels for the indoor unit are:
- 19/21 dB(A) in quiet mode;
- 30/33 dB(A) at low speed;
- 35/38 dB(A) at medium speed;
- 40/42 dB(A) at high speed.
This modulation is particularly useful when a heat pump is installed in a room where occupants cook, eat, talk, or work.
For this installation in Dundee, the unit is located directly in a living area. Quiet operation is therefore a tangible advantage rather than merely a feature listed in a brochure.
The technical details behind this Fujitsu heat pump installation in Dundee
A new generation using R-32 refrigerant
This Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 uses R-32.
According to the manufacturer's data, R-32 has a global warming potential of 675, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, corresponding to an announced GWP reduction of 68%.
Fujitsu also states that systems using this refrigerant require less charge while maintaining the expected performance.
For our HVAC installations, the arrival of equipment using R-32 also means that handling, installation, and commissioning practices must meet the requirements of this new generation of systems.
1/4 in and 3/8 in refrigerant lines
For the two Altair 700 capacities presented in the documentation, the piping dimensions are identical:
- liquid: 1/4 in;
- gas: 3/8 in.
The specified minimum piping length is 10 ft, while the maximum length can reach 66 ft.
The unit is precharged for a route of up to approximately 49 ft, and the maximum allowable vertical difference between the indoor and outdoor units is also 49 ft.
These limitations explain why we consider the piping route even before securing the wall plate.
An indoor location may seem ideal, but it must also allow a logical route to the outdoors, without unnecessarily adding dozens of feet of copper piping or creating mechanical constraints.
A 15 A circuit-breaker power supply
The Altair 700 series operates on:
208-230 V / 60 Hz / single-phase
The documentation specifies a 15 A circuit breaker for the 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models.
For the 9,000 BTU model, the indicated maximum current reaches 6.4 A in cooling and 9.4 A in heating.
For the 12,000 BTU model, it reaches 6.9 A in cooling and 9.4 A in heating.
These specifications are useful when preparing the installation, particularly in properties where the available space in the electrical panel is limited. However, the electrical installation must always be carried out and verified in accordance with the requirements applicable to the system actually installed.
Built-in Wi-Fi for more flexible management
The Altair 700 series features built-in Wi-Fi with access to the AIRSTAGE mobile app.
The owner can therefore, depending on the configuration of their network and system:
- Adjust the temperature;
- Manage operation remotely;
- adjust the settings without relying solely on the infrared remote control;
- monitor the area’s comfort more easily.
Fujitsu also provides a wireless remote control with the indoor unit.
The platform also offers various advanced control options with compatible accessories, including certain wired interfaces and BACnet or Modbus solutions. For a standard home, these options are not necessarily required, but they give the Altair 700 platform interesting flexibility for more elaborate projects.
Copper ProCore coils in the indoor unit
Fujitsu’s documentation specifies that the indoor evaporator uses highly corrosion-resistant copper ProCore coils.
This design is intended to promote the durability of the heat exchanger.
However, this does not mean that a heat pump can operate for years without maintenance.
In a kitchen like the one photographed in Dundee, the filters deserve particular attention. Household dust can combine with particles produced during cooking. Over time, this buildup can reduce airflow if the filters are not cleaned regularly.
The Altair 700’s filters are washable.
What the job-site photo teaches us about a real HVAC installation
The photo still shows the work ladder in front of the unit, indicating that the installation or finishing work had just been completed. We can also see several elements that make the job more interesting than a simple blank wall.
The unit is surrounded by:
- a door or glass opening on the left;
- a large window on the right;
- a pendant light in front of the area;
- wall-mounted kitchen accessories;
- a countertop directly beneath the installation.
We therefore had to work at height in an already furnished room, without unnecessarily altering how it was used.
This is exactly the kind of detail that distinguishes an actual installation from a catalog image. At AirGreen, we constantly have to work around windows, cabinets, ceilings, doors, wooden structures, limited space, and existing furniture.
Mistakes we want to avoid in this type of room
When a wall-mounted heat pump is installed in a kitchen or open-concept area, certain mistakes can have consequences throughout the unit’s entire service life.
We specifically avoid:
- Installing the unit too close to an obstacle, which can hinder airflow.
- Choosing a wall solely because it simplifies the routing of the copper lines, without considering comfort.
- Directing the air straight toward an area where occupants remain seated for long periods.
- Making the filters impossible to reach for cleaning.
- Neglecting condensate drainage.
- Installing too much capacity for the zone, which can negatively affect comfort and dehumidification.
- Confusing the minimum operating temperature with the actual capacity available in very cold weather.
Our goal is always to find an intelligent compromise between mechanical requirements, efficiency and the home's everyday use.
Eligibility for financial incentives: always confirm the exact combination
The Altair 700 models listed in Fujitsu documentation have ENERGY STAR classifications related to cold-climate performance and the Most Efficient program.
For a grant application, however, we always recommend verifying the exact combination of the indoor and outdoor models, as well as the conditions of the program currently in effect.
The combinations indicated by Fujitsu are:
Fujitsu Altair 700 9,000 BTU
- indoor unit: ASUH09KMAS;
- outdoor unit: AOUH09KMAS1.
Fujitsu Altair 700 12,000 BTU
- indoor unit: ASUH12KMAS;
- outdoor unit: AOUH12KMAS1.
The trade name “Altair 700” alone is not sufficient to calculate a financial incentive. Programs generally rely on specific references and the certified characteristics of the actual combination installed.
Why this Dundee project reflects our approach so well
This Fujitsu Altair 700 installation in Dundee is nothing like an installation carried out on a large, completely empty wall.
The available space was defined by the kitchen itself.
We had to take the existing architecture, door, window, ceiling and work area into account to position the unit where it could do its job without interfering with the use of the room.
The result is a compact wall-mounted heat pump, installed in the upper part of the wall and relatively discreet despite the limited space.
For homeowners in Dundee, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore, this project primarily shows that choosing a good brand is not enough. The final quality also depends on how the unit is sized, positioned, connected and commissioned.
At AirGreen, we approach every project this way: first understand the building, then choose the appropriate equipment, and carry out a HVAC installation that remains logical long after our technicians have left.