Installation of a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump in Ormstown, Montérégie

A discreet wall-mounted installation in Ormstown, designed to distribute air effectively without encroaching on the living space

In this Ormstown residence, our AirGreen team installed a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 wall-mounted heat pump, a compact single-zone system designed to provide both cooling and heating. The photograph taken after installation clearly shows the approach chosen for the interior: the wall-mounted unit is positioned very high on the wall, near the ceiling and close to a window, preserving living space while allowing effective air distribution throughout the room.

This type of installation requires more precision than it may seem. A few centimeters can affect maintenance accessibility, the routing of the lines, condensate drainage, air circulation, and the final appearance. In Ormstown, we therefore worked around the room’s existing configuration rather than simply choosing the easiest place to drill.

The selected machine belongs to the Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 range, available in the technical documentation provided in nominal capacities of 9,000 BTU/h and 12,000 BTU/h. Since the nameplate is not visible in the interior photograph, we are not assuming the exact installed capacity here. The series includes the ASUH09KMAS/AOUH09KMAS1 and ASUH12KMAS/AOUH12KMAS1 combinations.

Why install the unit so high on the wall?

Positioning the evaporator is one of the first important decisions when carrying out a wall-mounted heat pump installation.

In this project, the indoor unit is located near the ceiling. This choice helps preserve as much usable wall space as possible for furniture while placing the air outlet in a position that favors its distribution throughout the room.

A wall-mounted heat pump does not operate like an electric baseboard heater. It must move a sufficient volume of air to distribute its capacity throughout the area it serves. A poorly positioned indoor unit may function technically while still creating the impression of uneven temperatures.

We therefore evaluate several factors before securing the wall plate:

• the shape of the room;
• the position of the windows and doors;
• the circulation areas;
• the available height;
• the placement of the furniture;
• the clearance around the unit;
• the possible routing of the refrigerant lines;
• condensate drainage;
• future access to the filters and internal components.

In the photo of this installation in Ormstown, the installation remains visually compact. The white unit blends into the upper part of the wall and leaves most of the space below the heat pump available.

A compact indoor unit: 834 mm wide

The Fujitsu documentation indicates that the Altair 700 indoor unit measures approximately:

• 834 mm wide, or 32 13/16 in.;
• 270 mm high, or 10 5/8 in.;
• 222 mm deep, or 8 3/4 in.;
• approximately 10 kg, or 22 lb.

These dimensions are common to the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU/h versions presented in the technical sheet.

This relatively slim format is particularly useful when we have to work in a room with a window, door, or other nearby architectural constraints.

The project photo clearly illustrates this advantage: the unit could be placed in the upper part of the wall without making it seem as though a massive appliance dominated the room.

Altair 700: two nominal capacities with Inverter modulation

The Fujitsu Altair 700 series presented in the documentation includes two capacities.

The 09KMAS1 version offers:

• 9,000 BTU/h nominal cooling capacity;
• modulation from 3,100 to 12,100 BTU/h in cooling mode;
• 12,000 BTU/h nominal heating capacity;
• modulation from 2,800 to 14,500 BTU/h in heating mode.

The 12KMAS1 version offers:

• 12,000 BTU/h nominal cooling capacity;
• modulation from 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h in cooling mode;
• 14,000 BTU/h nominal heating capacity;
• modulation from 2,800 to 15,000 BTU/h in heating mode.

This ability to modulate is linked to the unit’s Inverter technology.

Instead of operating only at full capacity and then shutting off, the system can adjust its operation according to the room’s heating and cooling needs. This is particularly relevant on days when demand is low: spring, fall, cool evenings, or moderately hot summer days.

For the homeowner, the goal is not simply to obtain “a lot of BTUs,” but to get a system sized to operate efficiently in the area actually being served.

Up to 30.0 SEER2, depending on the configuration

Efficiency is one of the appealing features of this range.

According to the Fujitsu technical sheet, the 09KMAS1 version features, among other things:

• SEER2: 30.0;
• HSPF2 Region V: 9.9;
• EER2: 16.4;
• COP2: 4.64.

The 12KMAS1 version features:

• SEER2: 27.5;
• HSPF2 Region V: 8.5;
• EER2: 13.5;
• COP2: 4.32.

The two models presented in the document also bear the ENERGY STAR, ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, and ENERGY STAR Most Efficient ratings indicated by Fujitsu.

These figures are mainly useful for comparing units on a consistent technical basis. In reality, in a home in Ormstown, energy consumption will also depend on the set temperature, the building’s insulation, the system’s actual use, and the installation’s sizing.

Heating designed to operate down to -15 °C

Fujitsu indicates a heating operating range from -15 °C to 24 °C for both Altair 700 models covered by the technical specifications. In cooling mode, the stated range extends from -10 °C to 50 °C.

This information is important in Quebec.

A heat pump should always be selected with its actual minimum operating temperature in mind. We never settle for a general claim such as “cold climate” without checking the model’s performance specifications.

In Ormstown, as elsewhere in Montérégie, lower temperatures may occur. It is therefore important to clearly understand the system’s operating range and plan an appropriate heating strategy for conditions outside that range.

Indoor operation as low as 19 dB(A)

Noise is an important concern when the indoor unit is installed in a living room, bedroom, office, or open living area.

The Altair 700 series offers several fan speeds. In quiet mode, Fujitsu indicates an indoor sound level as low as 19 dB(A) in cooling and 21 dB(A) in heating. At high speed, the stated level rises to 40 dB(A) in cooling and 42 dB(A) in heating.

Airflow can also vary up to approximately 680 m³/h, or 400 cfm at high speed, with four speeds plus automatic mode.

In an installation like the one in Ormstown, properly positioning the unit helps take advantage of this air circulation without directing the airflow straight at the occupants.

The vertical direction of the air is automatic

Another relevant detail in this elevated installation concerns airflow control.

The Fujitsu specifications state that the horizontal direction is adjusted manually, while the vertical direction is automatic.

This makes it possible to adjust air distribution according to the mode and comfort requirements.

In winter, airflow management is particularly important because warm air naturally tends to rise. In summer, cooled air descends more readily. The unit’s elevated position therefore provides a useful basis for distributing the temperature throughout the room.

The technical details behind a clean Fujitsu Altair 700 installation in Ormstown

1/4 in. and 3/8 in. refrigerant lines

Behind the very simple appearance of the wall-mounted heat pump are the essential connections between the indoor and outdoor units.

For both Altair 700 versions documented by Fujitsu, the piping dimensions are:

• 1/4 in. for the liquid line;
• 3/8 in. for the gas line.

The specified minimum piping length is 3 m, or 10 ft, while the maximum length can reach 20 m, or 66 ft. The maximum stated vertical difference is 14.9 m, or 49 ft.

These values provide some flexibility during planning.

However, a successful installation does not mean using the maximum permitted length. When we can create a more direct, accessible, and clean route, we prefer it.

Every additional bend, change in elevation, or detour must have a reason.

R-32: the refrigerant clearly associated with this new generation of Fujitsu

The Altair 700 uses R-32 refrigerant.

In its documentation, Fujitsu compares its global warming potential of 675 with that of R-410A, rated at 2,088, representing a 68% reduction in GWP according to the values presented by the manufacturer.

Fujitsu also indicates that appliances using R-32 require less refrigerant while maintaining the desired heating performance.

For installation, this development mainly requires following the methods, tools, and procedures appropriate for the refrigerant specified by the manufacturer.

We therefore pay as much attention to the quality of the connections and commissioning as we do to the final visible positioning on the wall.

208 to 230 V electrical circuit with 15 A protection

Both Altair 700 configurations in the brochure operate on a:

208 to 230 V / 60 Hz / single-phase, with a 15 A circuit breaker indicated in the technical specifications.

For the 9,000 BTU/h model, Fujitsu specifies a maximum current of 6.4 A in cooling mode and 9.4 A in heating mode. For the 12,000 BTU/h model, the maximum values are 6.9 A and 9.4 A, respectively.

These relatively modest specifications may facilitate certain residential installations, but they never replace an inspection of the electrical panel.

Before our work begins, we always assess the existing conditions to ensure that the power supply is suitable for the installed combination.

Built-in Wi-Fi for remote heat pump control

Fujitsu also indicates built-in Wi-Fi connectivity on the Altair 700 platform, with the possibility of monitoring and controlling it remotely using the AIRSTAGE mobile app.

This feature becomes particularly useful for a residence where the occupants want to:

• adjust the temperature remotely;
• check that the unit is operating;
• prepare the home before they arrive;
• manage periods of absence more easily;
• maintain a more consistent temperature.

The documentation also mentions several optional interfaces and controllers, as well as compatibility with certain BACnet and Modbus integrations.

ProCore coils designed to better withstand corrosion

The page dedicated to the Altair 700's features also presents the ProCore coils, made of copper with high corrosion resistance according to Fujitsu.

This is the kind of feature that is less visible at the time of purchase but deserves consideration when comparing two heat pumps with similar capacities.

A system's quality is not limited to its BTUs or SEER2. Component design, accessibility for maintenance, modulation range, and installation quality also matter.

What the Ormstown project photo shows us about the installation

The interior photograph provides several interesting clues about how the project was handled.

The unit is installed:

• in the upper part of the wall;
• with a good portion of the wall left clear below it;
• near a glazed opening;
• in a location where it remains discreet despite being visible;
• with an unobstructed air outlet into the room.

The operating indicator visible on the right side also confirms that the unit was powered at the time the photo was taken.

The result is visually simple, but that simplicity is precisely what we are looking for. The best HVAC installations should not give the impression that a heat pump was added afterward without considering the room.

A common mistake: installing the unit only where access to the outdoors is easy

When planning the installation of a wall-mounted air conditioner or wall-mounted heat pump, it can be tempting to choose the location based solely on how easy it is to drill through the wall.

This is rarely a good method.

The unit will remain on the wall for years. Its location should first and foremost serve the home's comfort.

We then need to determine the best way to route the piping, drainage, and electrical wiring around this choice.

Conversely, a unit installed in an unfavorable location can lead to:

• poor air distribution;
• greater temperature differences;
• a flow of air directed straight at the occupants;
• complicated access for cleaning the filters;
• a less harmonious appearance;
• future difficulties during HVAC maintenance.

Why future maintenance influences how we install today

The indoor unit has a washable air filter, according to the Fujitsu specifications.

This means the homeowner must be able to access the front regularly to remove and clean the filters.

We must also think about the technician who, a few years later, may need to clean the fan, inspect the heat exchanger, or check the drainage.

An installation that makes every service intervention difficult often ends up costing more in service time.

That is why we never treat accessibility as a secondary detail.

An installation suited to homeowners comparing their options in Montérégie

For Ormstown homeowners currently considering a new heat pump, this project clearly shows that a project should not begin with the question, “Which brand is best?”

It is better to analyze things in this order:

1. which area needs to be heated and cooled;
2. what capacity is required;
3. where the indoor unit can distribute air properly;
4. where the outdoor unit can be installed;
5. what the electrical requirements are;
6. which route to use for the lines;
7. which winter operating range suits the needs;
8. which performance and comfort criteria are priorities.

Only then can we compare units meaningfully.

The Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 700 offers an interesting combination here: a compact wall-mounted design, Inverter technology, quiet operation, built-in Wi-Fi, R-32 refrigerant, 1/4 in – 3/8 in piping, and efficiency ratings of up to 30.0 SEER2 depending on the configuration.

The AirGreen approach in Ormstown, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore

At AirGreen, we apply the same logic to every wall-mounted heat pump installation, whether the project is in Ormstown, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, or the South Shore.

We want the unit to be properly sized, well positioned, accessible, neatly connected, and adapted to the building’s actual conditions.

On this Ormstown project, the visible result indoors reflects this approach well: a Fujitsu Altair 700 installed very high on the wall without sacrificing living space, with positioning that promotes air distribution while maintaining a discreet visual presence.

A high-performance heat pump starts with a good unit, but everyday comfort depends just as much on how it is integrated into the home.