A unique configuration in Huntingdon that required making the most of every available space
In this residence in Huntingdon, our AirGreen team had to install a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump in a room where the available wall space was limited by several architectural features: a door, trim, a relatively low ceiling, and an access hatch located immediately beside the installation area.
The project photo clearly shows the challenge. The indoor unit had to be installed directly above the doorway, between the upper door frame and the ceiling, while maintaining a clean and functional position. In this type of situation, a few centimetres can determine whether the installation will be successful or look forced.
We chose a location that makes use of an otherwise unusable section of wall without encroaching on the space intended for furniture or foot traffic. The Fujitsu unit is centered above the opening, and the piping exits discreetly from the left side of the unit. A white line-hide cover then runs horizontally along the wall, creating a particularly discreet finish in this light-colored room.
This project in Huntingdon clearly illustrates why installing a wall-mounted heat pump is never simply a matter of mounting a unit on the wall. The location, air distribution, condensate drainage, service access, refrigerant line routing, and final appearance must all be considered together.
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700: a compact wall-mounted heat pump suited to challenging spaces
The Fujitsu Altair 700 belongs to Fujitsu’s H AIRSTAGE series and is offered, in the documentation provided for this project, in single-zone 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 configurations. Both systems use the same compact wall-mounted indoor unit and offer features well suited to installations where available height and width are limited.
The 09KMAS1 model provides a rated cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU/h, while the 12KMAS1 reaches 12,000 BTU/h. In heating mode, the rated capacities are 12,000 BTU/h and 14,000 BTU/h, respectively.
The photograph alone does not make it possible to confirm with certainty which of the two capacities was installed in this Huntingdon residence. We therefore deliberately avoid assigning a specific BTU rating to the project without the complete number of the installed unit.
By contrast, the dimensions of the indoor unit are common to both configurations:
- 834 mm wide, or 32 13/16 in;
- 270 mm high, or only 10 5/8 in;
- 222 mm deep, or 8 3/4 in;
- 10 kg, or approximately 22 lb.
This relatively low height is precisely what makes the Altair 700 a suitable option for a configuration like the one observed here.
Installing a heat pump directly above a door: precision work
Installing a heat pump above a door can be highly advantageous, but only when the dimensions of the unit and the building allow it.
On this Huntingdon project, several elements were close together:
- the top of the door frame;
- the underside of the ceiling;
- a ceiling access panel located slightly in front of and to the left of the unit;
- the corner of the wall immediately to the right;
- the route required for the piping.
The goal was therefore not simply to “fit” the unit into the available space.
We also had to maintain a layout that would allow the heat pump to operate properly and provide reasonable access for future servicing.
The final result is particularly compact: the Fujitsu heat pump fits into the space above the door and retains a balanced appearance despite the room's constraints.
A detail visible in the photo: the piping runs out through the left side
One of the elements that distinguishes this installation from many conventional wall-mounted installations is the route chosen for the lines.
The piping does not disappear directly behind the unit. It emerges from the left side, then is immediately incorporated into a white cover installed horizontally.
This solution may be preferable when the wall structure, the route of the refrigerant lines, or the location of the outdoor unit makes a rear exit less suitable.
The pipe cover follows a simple line, without a buildup of visible fittings. Since the walls, door trim, and unit are all light-colored, the whole assembly blends naturally into the room.
This level of finishing matters enormously in a residential installation. Heat pump lines can remain visible for fifteen or twenty years. A clean installation from the outset is therefore just as important as choosing the equipment.
1/4 in and 3/8 in refrigerant piping
The Altair 700 technical sheet indicates identical refrigerant connections on the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU versions:
- liquid: 1/4 in;
- gas: 3/8 in.
The manufacturer also specifies a minimum piping length of 3 m, or 10 ft, and a maximum length of up to 20 m or 66 ft.
The specified precharge covers up to 14.9 m or 49 ft of piping, while the maximum permissible height difference between the units is also 14.9 m or 49 ft.
For a homeowner, this data may seem highly technical. For us, it is directly related to the ability to install the outdoor unit in the most appropriate location without exceeding the manufacturer’s parameters.
A heat pump operating with R-32 refrigerant
The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 uses R-32 refrigerant.
In its documentation, Fujitsu compares its global warming potential with that of R-410A. The manufacturer states a GWP of 675 for R-32, compared with 2088 for R-410A, representing an announced reduction of 68%.
This new generation of equipment requires installation carried out using the correct procedures, appropriate tools, and an exact understanding of the type of refrigerant used.
For homeowners in Huntingdon, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, or the South Shore, it is therefore becoming important to check not only the brand and capacity of a heat pump, but also the equipment’s technological generation.
Efficiency, quiet operation, and comfort: what the Fujitsu Altair 700 brings to everyday life
Exceptionally high energy efficiency
The data presented by Fujitsu place this series in a very attractive category in terms of efficiency.
The 09KMAS1 version notably has a TRÈS2 of 30.0 BTU/hW, while the 12KMAS1 version has 27.5 BTU/hW. The CPSC2 region V is listed at 9.9 for the 09KMAS1 and 8.5 for the 12KMAS1.
The two configurations listed in the technical specifications also carry ENERGY STAR ratings, including cold-climate classifications.
For a homeowner replacing an older wall-mounted air conditioner or adding a first heat pump to their home, seasonal performance is much more important than simply having a maximum BTU capacity.
A system must be able to reduce its output when demand decreases, maintain the temperature without excessive cycling, and use electricity efficiently during long operating periods.
Variable capacity thanks to Inverter technology
The Altair 700 uses an Inverter compressor, allowing the heat pump to vary its capacity according to the building’s needs.
The 9,000 BTU model can modulate between 3,100 and 12,100 BTU/h in cooling, and between 2,800 and 14,500 BTU/h in heating.
The 12,000 BTU model can vary from 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h in cooling and from 2,800 to 15,000 BTU/h in heating.
This modulation capability plays a central role in comfort.
When a room is very hot, the unit can operate at a higher capacity to quickly reach the requested temperature. Then, instead of shutting off completely, it can reduce its output and maintain indoor conditions more gradually.
Fujitsu documentation also states that, under certain conditions, the outdoor unit can produce up to 33% more heat than its stated rated capacity.
Heating down to -15 °C
The advertised heating operating range for the Altair 700 models presented in the specifications is -15 °C to 24 °C, while cooling can operate between -10 °C and 50 °C.
This positions this heat pump as a solution capable of meeting a significant portion of seasonal heating needs.
However, it is important to distinguish the minimum operating temperature from the capacity required to heat an entire house.
In Huntingdon, as elsewhere in Quebec, a heat pump must always be selected based on the building’s actual thermal load. Insulation, windows, orientation, floor area, storey, air circulation, and existing heating system all have an impact.
The fact that a unit operates at -15 °C does not automatically mean that it will be able to cover 100% of the heat loss of every home at that temperature.
Indoor operation as low as 19 dB(A)
The sound level is particularly relevant to this project because the unit is installed in a highly visible indoor area.
Fujitsu states that, in quiet mode:
- 19 dB(A) in cooling mode;
- 21 dB(A) in heating mode.
At high speed, the levels reach 40 and 42 dB(A), respectively.
The unit offers four fan speeds plus an automatic setting, with airflow rates ranging from 260 m³/h in quiet mode to 680 m³/h at high speed.
For a heat pump installed directly above an interior door, the ability to operate at low speed is useful: the unit can continue maintaining the temperature without necessarily producing a constant draft or noise at full power.
A high position that promotes the distribution of cold air
The visible position in this Huntingdon installation is also beneficial from an air-conditioning perspective.
Cold air naturally tends to sink. Installing a wall-mounted unit high up therefore generally allows the air to be projected across the room before gradually descending.
The Altair 700 provides automatic vertical airflow direction, while horizontal adjustment is manual according to the specifications.
However, the location must be chosen with the entire room in mind. In particular, we aim to avoid having a constant stream of cold air directed at a bed, sofa, or occupied area.
Integrated Wi-Fi and remote control
The integrated Wi-Fi connectivity is also one of the features presented by Fujitsu for the Altair 700.
It allows, among other things, remote monitoring and control through the AIRSTAGE mobile app.
This is a particularly useful feature for adjusting the temperature before returning home or changing the settings without having to use the infrared remote control every time.
Fujitsu also supplies a wireless remote control and offers several additional control options, including wired controllers and certain interfaces for 24 V thermostats, BACnet, or Modbus, depending on the accessories used.
Electrical supply: 208 to 230 V and 15 A circuit breaker
The 09KMAS1 and 12KMAS1 models shown in the documentation operate on a:
- 208 to 230 V;
- 60 Hz;
- single-phase;
- with a 15 A circuit breaker specified by the manufacturer.
This feature can be particularly useful when replacing an older system or when the available space in the electrical panel is limited.
Nevertheless, we always verify the exact requirements of the installed unit and the condition of the existing circuit before finalizing an installation.
Why we never choose a heat pump based solely on the number of BTUs
A common mistake when choosing a wall-mounted heat pump is to assume that greater capacity will automatically provide greater comfort.
That is not necessarily the case.
An oversized unit can quickly reach the target temperature without running long enough to provide the expected modulation or optimal dehumidification. Conversely, an undersized unit may run constantly when conditions become more demanding.
Proper sizing depends in particular on:
- the area actually being served;
- insulation;
- the number and type of windows;
- air infiltration;
- the floor;
- sun exposure;
- ceiling height;
- the layout of the rooms;
- of the existing heating system.
In Huntingdon, as in our installations in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, we place as much importance on the building as on the machine’s technical specifications.
A compact unit does not eliminate the need to plan for maintenance
This installation demonstrates how neatly a heat pump can be integrated into a restricted space.
But a high installation must remain serviceable.
Fujitsu’s documentation specifically indicates that the Altair 700 uses washable filters.
The filters must be removable and cleaned regularly. Over time, more thorough maintenance of the coil, fan, and drainage system may also become necessary.
We therefore need to consider not only what the installation looks like today, but also whether it will be possible to service the unit several years from now.
The details that could have turned this project into a poor installation
On a setup as tight as the one photographed in Huntingdon, several mistakes are easy to make.
Installing the unit without taking the door trim into account
A unit installed too low would have visually cramped the layout and could have complicated the opening or future replacement of the trim.
Positioning the unit without considering the ceiling access panel
The presence of a ceiling access panel is clearly visible in the photo. It was therefore necessary to avoid a configuration that would prevent it from opening or complicate its future use.
Using an unnecessarily complex piping route
The visible lateral route to the left of the unit remains short and clean. Adding several unnecessary bends or sections would have made the installation look visually heavier.
Neglecting drainage
The drainage for a wall-mounted unit must be designed with an appropriate slope when gravity drainage is used. An installation that looks perfectly level may nevertheless cause problems if the drain route is not properly laid out.
Choosing the unit solely because it fits in the space
Dimensions are important, but they are only one of several criteria.
Cooling capacity, efficiency, heating capacity, and airflow must also match the home's needs.
An AirGreen installation that makes smart use of wasted space
This Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 heat pump installation in Huntingdon is a good example of what we aim to achieve when the architecture imposes real constraints.
The indoor unit is installed in a section of wall that would otherwise be difficult to use. It is positioned above the door, near the ceiling, without visually dominating the room. The line-set cover follows a short, clean path to the left. The trim remains unobstructed, and the final result maintains a structured appearance.
On paper, two installations using exactly the same heat pump may have the same BTUs, efficiency, and electrical specifications.
In reality, they can be completely different.
The quality of a HVAC installation depends on understanding the building, choosing the right location, and taking care with the elements the homeowner will see every day.
This is precisely the approach we apply at AirGreen in our projects in Huntingdon, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore: installing the right unit in the right location, with a finish that respects both the technical requirements and the living space.