In Noyan, a FUJITSU ORION XLTH+ precisely installed along a brick wall
This installation carried out in Noyan clearly illustrates an aspect that is often underestimated when purchasing a wall-mounted heat pump: the quality of the project depends as much on the unit selected as on how the outdoor unit is positioned, supported, and connected to the building.
On this project, we installed a FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ along a brick wall, in a relatively narrow side passage. The project photo shows several constraints that our technicians must incorporate into a single installation: a fence very close to the work area, an electrical meter directly above and nearby, a basement window located lower down, an exposed foundation, and ground space that must remain usable.
Rather than placing the outdoor unit near the ground, we installed it on sturdy metal wall brackets secured to the foundation. This choice keeps the heat pump above ground level and away from the area where snow, ice, leaves, and water can accumulate.
The result is a compact HVAC installation, arranged vertically along the building, with a line-set cover that rises neatly along the façade and groups the necessary connections between the outdoor and indoor units.
For a heat pump designed to operate in the Quebec climate down to -30 °C, this type of outdoor preparation is particularly important.
The main challenge: installing an outdoor unit in a side passage without sacrificing access
At first glance, the space seems sufficient: there is a wall and a small open area in front of it. In reality, every visible element in this installation affects the final positioning.
We had to consider, in particular:
- the proximity of the fence;
- the clearance in front of the outdoor unit’s fan;
- the electrical meter and its accessibility;
- the routing of the refrigerant lines;
- the height of the unit above the ground;
- the basement window;
- drainage during defrost cycles;
- future access for HVAC maintenance;
- the aesthetic finish of the line-set cover on the brick wall.
This is exactly the kind of environment where a difference of a few inches can make a significant difference.
We are not simply looking for a place where the heat pump “fits.” We are looking for a location where it can operate, breathe, defrost, and remain accessible for many years.
Why wall brackets are particularly beneficial in this installation
In the photo, the FUJITSU outdoor unit is clearly raised above the bed of white stones located along the foundation.
This height offers several advantages in the context of an installation in Noyan.
Limiting problems related to snow accumulation
A heat pump installed too close to ground level can become partially surrounded by snow after a few storms, especially in a narrow area where snow removal is less frequent.
However, the outdoor unit must continue to draw in and discharge a significant volume of air.
A machine capable of operating at very low temperatures cannot deliver its best performance if its coil is physically obstructed.
By raising the unit, we create additional clearance from the ground.
Promoting the drainage of defrost water
When the heat pump operates in heating mode, the outdoor coil can accumulate frost. The system then periodically runs a defrost cycle.
This process produces water.
In the middle of winter, this water can obviously refreeze on the ground. The way the unit is positioned therefore becomes important. The clearance beneath the machine helps prevent ice buildup from quickly reaching the underside of the unit.
The FUJITSU ORION XLTH+ is equipped with a base pan heater specifically designed for extremely cold climates, as well as an automatic defrost function. Fujitsu indicates that this range can operate in heating mode down to -30 °C (-22 °F).
A wall-mounted installation suited to a foundation rather than a unit placed directly on the ground
The photo also shows that the brackets are installed on the building’s lower structural section.
In a wall-mounted heat pump project in Noyan, the choice between wall brackets and a ground base always depends on the actual site conditions.
We analyze in particular:
- the type of foundation;
- the available height;
- the presence of a window;
- the layout of the property;
- the possibility of snow accumulation;
- pedestrian traffic;
- potential vibrations;
- access for servicing.
There is therefore no single method that works for every house.
In this specific case, the wall brackets make it possible to use a relatively narrow space efficiently while keeping the lower part of the property clear.
A clean installation of the line-set cover on the brick wall
Another immediately visible element in this installation is the vertical line-set cover that rises almost to the top of the photograph.
Its role is not simply decorative.
This type of finish can house the components required for the system to operate, including refrigerant lines and related connections, depending on the project configuration.
In a visible outdoor installation, the cover's route matters a great deal.
An improvised route with several detours quickly gives the impression of work added as an afterthought. Instead, we favor lines that are as straight as possible and positioning that is consistent with the facade.
Here, the cover follows a very clear vertical path along the brick wall.
This makes it possible to group the connections together and limit their direct exposure.
Piping dimensions for the ORION XLTH+ series
The technical documentation for this FUJITSU range indicates that models 09KTAP1, 12KTAP1, and 15KTAP1 require refrigerant piping with:
- 1/4 in. liquid side;
- 3/8 in. gas side.
The indicated minimum length is 10 ft (3 m), and the maximum length can reach 66 ft (20 m). The stated maximum vertical difference is 49 ft (14.9 m).
This ability to accommodate a substantial connection length provides greater flexibility when the indoor unit and outdoor unit cannot be installed back-to-back.
That said, this does not mean we seek to use the maximum amount of available piping. When the building permits, a logical and relatively direct route generally remains preferable.
Why the FUJITSU ORION XLTH+ is a good fit for the needs of a Quebec residence
A true heat pump designed for heating in extreme cold
When a homeowner in Noyan, Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, or the South Shore compares heat pumps, one question comes up constantly: down to what temperature can the unit actually operate in heating mode?
For the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ series, the manufacturer indicates a heating range from -30 °C to 24 °C.
The range presented in the documentation includes three capacities:
- 09KTAP1 : 9,000 BTU/h nominal cooling capacity;
- 12KTAP1 : 12,000 BTU/h nominal cooling capacity;
- 15KTAP1 : 14,500 BTU/h nominal cooling capacity.
The exact capacity of the photographed outdoor unit cannot be reliably confirmed from the image alone because the model label is unreadable. We therefore prefer never to arbitrarily assign a BTU rating to an installation when that information cannot be verified.
The series itself nevertheless offers particularly interesting technical features for heating in cold climates.
Up to 28,000 BTU/h of maximum heating capacity, depending on the model
FUJITSU data clearly shows why nominal cooling capacity tells only part of the story.
For the three models, the manufacturer indicates:
09KTAP1
- nominal heating: 12,000 BTU/h;
- max heating: 24,000 BTU/h.
12KTAP1
- nominal heating: 15,300 BTU/h;
- max heating: 27,300 BTU/h.
15KTAP1
- nominal heating: 17,400 BTU/h;
- max heating: 28,000 BTU/h.
These capacities obviously do not replace a heat-load calculation.
At AirGreen, we avoid selecting a heat pump solely based on the area stated in a general rule such as “X BTUs for X square feet.”
We also take into account insulation, room layout, doors, windows, the building's exposure, the number of floors, and how air can circulate from the indoor unit.
Performance that remains strong below -20 °C
It is at low temperatures that the differences between heat pumps become particularly interesting.
According to Fujitsu's technical data, the maximum heating capacity as a percentage of the nominal capacity remains high even when temperatures drop sharply.
At -26 °C, the manufacturer indicates:
- 147% for the 09KTAP1;
- 128% for the 12KTAP1;
- 116% for the 15KTAP1.
And even at -30 °C:
- 113% for the 09KTAP1;
- 103% for the 12KTAP1;
- 101% for the 15KTAP1.
These results correspond to the test conditions specified by the manufacturer and do not mean that every home will be fully heated by a heat pump of any capacity at -30 °C. However, they show that this range was developed with a clear priority given to heating in very cold weather.
Inverter technology: adjusting output rather than simply starting and stopping
The ORION XLTH+ uses an Inverter compressor.
This technology allows the machine to adjust its operating level according to demand.
When a room needs a lot of heat, the appliance can increase its output. As the temperature approaches the setpoint, it can reduce its power rather than continuing to operate unnecessarily at full capacity.
In a home well suited to this type of system, this modulation helps maintain a more consistent temperature.
This is an important difference from systems that operate mainly through repeated start-and-stop cycles.
Seasonal efficiency that deserves attention
For the ORION XLTH+ series, Fujitsu indicates TRÈS2 values of:
- 33,5 for the 09KTAP1;
- 31,5 for the 12KTAP1;
- 28,7 for the 15KTAP1.
The regional V CPSC2 values are respectively:
- 11,5;
- 11,3;
- 10,7.
These data make it possible to compare the different capacities and also to position the series among appliances designed for efficient heating and cooling.
However, we regularly remind our customers that an excellent energy rating cannot compensate for improper capacity selection or poor installation.
R-32: a refrigerant with a lower GWP than R-410A
This generation of FUJITSU heat pumps uses R-32.
In its documentation, Fujitsu indicates a global warming potential of 675 for R-32, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, representing an announced reduction of approximately 68% in GWP.
For us, this also means following the work practices and using the equipment appropriate for the refrigerant being used.
The piping, drainage, vacuuming, connections, and commissioning are not secondary steps. A high-end heat pump installed without rigor can lose a large part of the advantage offered by its design.
A compact outdoor unit, practical in a side yard like Noyan’s
The photograph of this installation shows why the size of the outdoor unit can be a determining factor.
We are in an area where the following coexist:
- the house;
- the electricity meter;
- a fence;
- the passage to the back of the property;
- a basement window;
- the system lines.
An excessively large outdoor unit would have made the project even more complicated.
Fujitsu presents the ORION XLTH+ specifically as a compact outdoor-unit series, designed in part to facilitate installation in locations where space is limited.
The nearby electrical meter: a constraint that must never be overlooked
In the photo, the electrical meter and its enclosure are clearly visible above the heat pump.
When preparing this type of project, we must ensure that the HVAC installation does not create an unnecessary obstacle in front of equipment that needs to remain accessible.
The same principle applies to windows, service entrances, outdoor faucets, and other mechanical elements of the home.
The right location is therefore not only the one that suits the heat pump; it must also respect the building’s day-to-day operation around it.
The basement window also had to remain usable
Another interesting detail is the presence of a basement window directly near the installation.
Positioning the unit too low or too far to the right could have interfered with this opening.
That is exactly why we take site measurements before determining the height and position of the brackets.
A heat pump installation in Noyan should not solve a comfort problem by creating several new constraints around the home.
Easier maintenance when the installation has been planned from the start
The outdoor unit will eventually need to be inspected and cleaned.
Technicians must be able to access:
- the heat exchanger;
- the service panels;
- the connections;
- the electrical components;
- the underside of the unit;
- the drainage system and defrosting area.
In this installation, the unit remains accessible from the side passage despite its proximity to the fence.
This is an important point.
We sometimes see systems installed in spaces so tight that any subsequent service becomes unnecessarily complex. A successful installation must plan for future HVAC service, not just the day the system is commissioned.
Built-in Wi-Fi and remote control
The ORION XLTH+ also features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling remote control and monitoring through the AIRSTAGE app.
This notably makes it possible to adjust the settings from a phone without having to use only the infrared remote control.
The documentation also mentions several optional controllers and interfaces, as well as possible compatibility with systems using BACnet or Modbus in certain configurations.
ENERGY STAR and subsidies: verify the exact model before calculating savings
The 09KTAP1, 12KTAP1, and 15KTAP1 configurations presented in the Fujitsu specifications have the ENERGY STAR ratings indicated by the manufacturer, including the cold-climate designations.
For a homeowner looking for a heat pump eligible for subsidies in Quebec, it nevertheless remains essential to verify the exact number of the installed combination and the program rules in effect at the time of the project.
We avoid promising an amount simply because a unit belongs to an eligible product line.
Lists, criteria, and programs may change.
This Noyan project provides a good summary of our approach at AirGreen
What we particularly appreciate about this installation is not only the presence of a FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+.
It is how the entire system integrates into an outdoor area where several constraints came together.
The unit is:
- raised on wall brackets;
- kept away from the ground and potential snow accumulation area;
- positioned without blocking the basement window;
- installed in the side passage without unnecessarily encroaching on the available space;
- connected using a clean vertical line-set cover;
- accessible for future heat pump maintenance.
These are the details that transform the installation of a unit into a true HVAC project.
In Noyan, as in our installations in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore and on the South Shore, we always seek to adapt the system to the home rather than forcing the home to adapt to a standardized installation.
The FUJITSU ORION XLTH+ is particularly well suited to this context thanks to its advertised operation down to -30 °C, Inverter compressor, base pan heater, R-32 refrigerant, compact outdoor format, and high levels of seasonal efficiency.
But the final performance also depends on everything visible around the unit in this photo: the height, clearances, piping route, support strength, and accessibility.
This is precisely where the experience of an installation team makes all the difference.