An outdoor installation on a wall bracket designed to protect the heat pump and keep the passage clear
At Havelock, in Montérégie, we installed a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump in an outdoor configuration that clearly shows why the condenser’s placement deserves as much attention as the choice of the unit itself.
For this installation, the outdoor unit was secured to a sturdy metal wall bracket, directly against the brick building, rather than placed at ground level. The available space was relatively narrow: a masonry wall on one side, an outdoor passage on the other, mature vegetation nearby, and circulation around the property to preserve. In this context, a ground-level installation would have unnecessarily occupied part of the passage and placed the heat pump much closer to soil, moisture, and debris.
We therefore chose a clean, functional vertical configuration. The condenser is elevated, well clear of the ground, and positioned to preserve access to the side of the building.
This photo alone highlights several important elements of a professional HVAC installation: site selection, mechanical stability, clearance around the condenser, line management, protection from outdoor conditions, and accessibility for future maintenance.
Why install the outdoor unit on a wall bracket?
On a property in Havelock, as elsewhere on the South Shore of Montreal, the available space around the building is not always perfectly suited to a heat pump installed on a slab.
A wall bracket can be particularly advantageous when it is necessary to:
- maintain a clear passage;
- keep the unit away from soil and mud;
- limit exposure to leaf accumulation;
- protect the condenser from certain snow accumulations;
- avoid creating a permanent base in a confined space;
- position the unit at a practical height for maintenance;
- move the equipment away from an area where surface water may accumulate.
In the photo of our project in Havelock, you can see that the Fujitsu Altair 700 is positioned high enough that its base does not come into contact with the ground. The support uses two triangulated metal arms that bear the weight of the unit and transfer it to the building.
Installing a wall bracket, however, is not simply a matter of screwing two brackets onto a façade. The type of wall, anchor points, condenser weight, vibrations, and required clearances must all be taken into account.
A compact outdoor unit suited to tight spaces
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 is particularly interesting in this type of configuration because its outdoor unit remains compact.
For the 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models presented in the Fujitsu documentation, the outdoor unit measures approximately:
- 21 5/16 in. high;
- 31 7/16 in. wide;
- 11 7/16 in. deep;
- for a net weight of approximately 71 lb.
These dimensions help reduce the space required when working in a side yard, a narrow passage, or an area between two buildings. The Fujitsu technical data sheet also confirms that both versions in this series use an outdoor unit with identical dimensions.
In the photographed project in Havelock, this small footprint was particularly useful: the condenser remains close to the wall without excessively encroaching on the circulation area.
Do not confuse a compact installation with insufficient clearance
A common mistake is to try to completely hide an outdoor unit behind a fence, under a deck, between objects, or amid dense vegetation.
A heat pump needs to breathe.
The condenser exchanges large quantities of air with the outdoors. Inadequate clearance around its air intakes and outlets can hinder heat transfer and unnecessarily increase operating strain.
In this project, the nearby tree is precisely one of the elements we need to consider. The branches visible above and around the installation area must not become a permanent obstruction in front of the heat exchanger or fan.
Vegetation also requires some monitoring after installation. A tree continues to grow, unlike the condenser, which remains in the same place. Homeowners should therefore periodically check that branches, leaves, or needles are not reducing the clearance around the unit.
Fujitsu Altair 700: the technical specifications that really matter in a residential installation
Two nominal capacities: 9,000 and 12,000 BTU/h
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 lineup described in the technical data sheet includes two single-zone systems:
- ASUH09KMAS with AOUH09KMAS1, for a nominal cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU/h;
- ASUH12KMAS with AOUH12KMAS1, for a nominal cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/h.
In heating mode, their nominal capacities are respectively 12,000 BTU/h and 14,000 BTU/h.
The 9,000 BTU version can modulate its cooling capacity from approximately 3,100 to 12,100 BTU/h and its heating capacity from approximately 2,800 to 14,500 BTU/h. The 12,000 BTU version offers a cooling range of 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h and a heating range of 2,800 to 15,000 BTU/h.
This modulation is made possible by the Inverter compressor.
Why Inverter Modulation Improves Comfort
In a home, the heating and cooling demand changes continuously.
A room exposed to the sun may need more cooling at 3 p.m. than at 9 a.m. In the fall, the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures may be small. In the evening, the needs decrease further.
Inverter technology allows the heat pump to modulate its operation rather than constantly running at full capacity according to an on-off logic.
For occupants, this generally translates into a more stable temperature and operation better suited to the room's actual load.
This is also why proper sizing remains essential. At AirGreen, we avoid automatically recommending the unit with the highest number of BTUs. A properly sized heat pump is often a better choice than an unnecessarily oversized unit.
Up to 30.0 SEER2 depending on capacity
In terms of energy efficiency, the Altair 700 offers high ratings.
The technical specifications indicate:
- SEER2 of 30.0 for the 9,000 BTU version;
- SEER2 of 27.5 for the 12,000 BTU version.
Both systems are also presented with ENERGY STAR ratings, including the designations indicated by Fujitsu for certified air conditioning and heating units.
Energy efficiency is particularly important for homeowners comparing different wall-mounted heat pumps in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, or on the South Shore. However, an energy rating should never be considered in isolation. Installation quality, sizing, home insulation, and the settings used all influence actual consumption.
Heating down to -15 °C according to the stated operating range
For this specific series, Fujitsu indicates a heating operating range from -15 °C to 24 °C.
In cooling mode, the stated operating range extends from -10 °C to 50 °C.
This point is important in Quebec.
Not all heat pumps are designed for the same outdoor temperatures, and two units that look visually similar may have very different performance in January.
In a Havelock project, we must therefore consider the unit’s exact role in heating the property. Is it intended to primarily heat one area? Is there supplemental electric heating? How are the rooms distributed? What is the level of insulation?
The selection of a wall-mounted heat pump should never be based solely on price or the number of BTUs.
R-32 refrigerant: an important change from R-410A
The Altair 700 uses R-32 refrigerant.
According to Fujitsu documentation, the global warming potential indicated for R-32 is 675, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, representing an announced reduction of 68%.
For us, this also means that an installation must be completed using methods and equipment compatible with the refrigerant being used.
Refrigeration work includes, among other things:
- proper line preparation;
- connections;
- leak testing;
- evacuation;
- operating parameter validation;
- final commissioning.
The fact that a heat pump is compact does not make these steps any less important.
1/4 in. and 3/8 in. refrigerant piping
The Fujitsu Altair 700 documentation indicates the following for the two capacities presented:
- 1/4 in. for the liquid line;
- 3/8 in. for the gas line.
The indicated minimum piping length is 10 ft, while the maximum length can reach 66 ft. The maximum vertical difference is 49 ft.
This clearance provides welcome flexibility when the condenser needs to be positioned away from the indoor unit for architectural reasons.
In this Havelock installation, the outdoor unit is located directly alongside the building wall, which helps create a clean route for the connections while keeping the unit in a relatively discreet area.
One detail visible in the photo: the finish of the lines matters too
The various connections required for the system to operate can be seen behind the outdoor unit.
In a well-planned installation, we seek to group and protect as much as possible the components connecting the indoor unit to the outdoor unit: refrigerant piping, wiring, and drain, depending on the configuration.
The objective is not purely aesthetic.
Good placement reduces the risk of mechanical damage, facilitates maintenance, and prevents an excess of loose piping from becoming a nuisance in an exterior passage.
In projects carried out in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil and on the South Shore, we often encounter buildings where side passages are very narrow. The exterior finish then becomes particularly important, since every protruding element can inconvenience occupants.
208-230 V power supply and 15 A circuit breaker
The 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models are specified for a 208 to 230 V, 60 Hz, single-phase power supply, with a 15 A circuit breaker in the Fujitsu documentation.
Nominal power consumption in cooling mode is approximately:
- 0.55 kW for the 9,000 BTU unit;
- 0.89 kW for the 12,000 BTU unit.
In heating mode, the listed nominal values are approximately 0.76 kW and 0.95 kW.
These figures are useful when planning the electrical installation, but we always check the nameplate of the system actually delivered to the job site before finalizing the connection.
A quiet heat pump indoors and outdoors
Sound comfort is particularly important on a property where the outdoor unit is located near a walkway, yard, or neighboring homes.
According to Fujitsu, the outdoor sound level is indicated at:
- 44 dB(A) in cooling and 47 dB(A) in heating for the 9,000 BTU system;
- 48 dB(A) in cooling and 50 dB(A) in heating for the 12,000 BTU system.
Indoors, the sound level can drop to 19 dB(A) in quiet mode during cooling.
The condenser’s location nevertheless remains decisive. Even a quiet unit can become bothersome if it is installed directly beneath a bedroom window or on a structure that transmits vibrations strongly.
Why the quality of the wall support is essential
An outdoor unit contains a compressor and a rotating fan. Even when it is quiet, it generates slight vibrations.
The support must therefore be sufficiently rigid to prevent excessive movement and remain stable during operating cycles.
On this Havelock installation, the condenser rests on horizontal metal arms connected to a triangulated structure. This geometry provides better load support while keeping the area beneath the unit completely clear.
We also pay attention to leveling. An outdoor heat pump must be installed securely so that it operates in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements and allows for proper management of the water produced, particularly during defrost cycles.
Leave space beneath the machine: particularly relevant in Quebec
One of the main advantages of the configuration shown here is the available height beneath the condenser.
When a heat pump operates in heating mode during winter, the outdoor unit must periodically perform a defrost cycle. Water may then flow around or beneath the machine.
If the unit is almost directly at ground level, this water can freeze and contribute to ice buildup beneath the unit.
A raised unit provides much more space to manage this phenomenon and keep it away from snow on the ground.
This does not mean that a wall-mounted support is automatically the right solution for every project. On certain façades or types of structures, a well-designed ground base may be preferable. We choose the type of support according to the actual site conditions.
Mistakes to avoid around an outdoor unit like this one
This installation serves as a reminder of several best practices that are particularly useful for homeowners:
- Do not stack objects in front of the condenser. Airflow must remain unobstructed.
- Trim the vegetation when it begins to approach the unit.
- Do not enclose the heat pump in a decorative casing that is too tight.
- Prevent leaves and needles from accumulating in the outdoor heat exchanger.
- Do not block the area beneath the unit, particularly in winter.
- Have a support that becomes loose, warped, or unusually noisy inspected.
- Avoid directing gutter water toward the condenser.
In the Havelock photo, the surrounding vegetation is specifically something to monitor as the seasons pass. A few branches today can become a much larger mass of vegetation a few years later.
Maintenance of the Fujitsu Altair 700
Indoors, Fujitsu specifies a washable filter. Periodic filter cleaning helps preserve airflow and limit dust buildup on the evaporator.
Outside, maintenance should notably include:
- the cleanliness of the heat exchanger;
- the absence of obstructions;
- the condition of the support;
- unusual vibrations;
- drainage;
- the condition of visible connections;
- signs of deterioration or debris buildup.
HVAC maintenance is not only intended to clean the unit. It also helps detect problems before they become more costly.
Built-in Wi-Fi and control through the AIRSTAGE app
The Altair 700 series also includes built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling remote monitoring and control through the AIRSTAGE mobile app.
The documentation also mentions a control platform compatible with several additional interfaces, as well as BACnet and Modbus solutions using the appropriate accessories.
For a residential owner, however, the main benefit remains the ability to manage the system’s daily settings more easily.
An installation that highlights both the unit and the work surrounding it
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 has several interesting technical features: high efficiency, an Inverter compressor, R-32, built-in Wi-Fi, a compact design, and quiet operation.
But a heat pump can only deliver good performance if its installation allows it to operate properly.
Our Havelock project is a concrete example. The challenge was not simply to attach a condenser somewhere outside. The space had to be used intelligently, the passage kept functional, the unit elevated, and a stable installation ensured along the brick façade.
Here, the wall bracket directly addresses the building’s constraints.
AirGreen: Fujitsu heat pump installation in Havelock and Greater Montréal
At AirGreen, we install Fujitsu wall-mounted heat pumps and other heating and cooling systems in Havelock, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.
Every project has its own particularities: brick façades, concrete foundations, balconies, narrow yards, vegetation, the distance between the indoor and outdoor units, electrical constraints, or aesthetic requirements.
Our job is to bring all these variables together in a cohesive installation.
For this Fujitsu Altair 700 project in Havelock, the selected solution provides a compact, elevated outdoor unit that is well integrated along the side of the building, while preserving the available space around the house.
It is precisely in this type of detail that the difference lies between simply installing a heat pump and completing a durable, practical HVAC installation tailored to the building.