Installation of a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH wall-mounted heat pump in Saint-Télesphore
AirGreen installation of a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH wall-mounted heat pump in Saint-Télesphore: compact positioning, meticulous finish, R-32, Inverter technology, and heating designed for Quebec’s cold climate.
Take a tour of the installation
Each number is a point we check on site. Switch between summer and winter to watch air and heat move.
In summer, the outdoor unit rejects the house's heat outside.
Generic illustration of this type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Tap a number.
Mounted level on a wall plate, high enough for the air to reach the whole room, with enough space around it to slide the filters out easily.
The refrigerant lines, the communication cable and the drain go through the wall in a single opening, sealed against water, cold air and insects.
Two insulated copper pipes connect the two units. Outside, a line cover can protect them from sun, knocks and weather.
A shut-off switch near the outdoor unit isolates it safely for service. It must stay accessible at all times.
The compressor and the fan. In heating mode it captures heat from the outdoor air, even in winter, and moves it inside.
On the ground or on the wall, it keeps the unit above accumulated snow. The unit stays clear and defrost water can drain away.
The fan needs to blow freely. Storage, a fence or a wall too close, and efficiency drops while noise goes up.
A compact installation in Saint-Télesphore where every centimetre counted to achieve a clean and efficient result
At Saint-Télesphore, this installation of a Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH wall-mounted heat pump clearly illustrates an aspect of the trade that sometimes goes unnoticed: installing a heat pump does not simply involve mounting an indoor unit on the wall. Positioning, clearances, routing the piping, condensate drainage, future accessibility for maintenance, and even how the unit fits visually into the room all affect the final quality of the project.
In the photo of this installation completed by our team, the Fujitsu AIRSTAGE indoor unit is installed high on the wall, close to the ceiling and near a corner of the room. This configuration preserves the available living space while promoting good air distribution. The compact finish visible below and to the right of the unit also makes it possible to neatly group the components required for the installation rather than leaving exposed piping.
For a property located in Saint-Télesphore, where winter temperatures can become particularly demanding, choosing a heat pump designed for cold climates is especially important. The Fujitsu Orion XLTH is specifically designed to continue heating when the outdoor temperature drops as low as -26 °C. Fujitsu documentation provided for this series also indicates the use of R-32 refrigerant, Inverter technology, ENERGY STAR certification depending on the configuration, and several capacities ranging from 9,000 to 24,000 BTU.
Why the Fujitsu Orion XLTH was particularly well suited to this type of installation
The installed heat pump belongs to the AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH family, Fujitsu’s single-zone wall-mounted series. It is a ductless system consisting of a wall-mounted indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
For us, the appeal of such a machine in an installation like this lies as much in its winter performance as in its size.
The series’ technical documentation notably indicates:
- heating operation down to -26 °C;
- cooling operation from -10 °C to 50 °C;
- Inverter compressor technology, which modulates output rather than simply switching on and off;
- R-32 refrigerant, whose global warming potential is lower than that of R-410A according to Fujitsu documentation;
- copper ProCore indoor coil designed to provide better corrosion resistance;
- indoor operation down to 23 dB(A) in quiet mode on certain capacities;
- Integrated Wi-Fi and compatibility with the AIRSTAGE app;
- base-pan heater at the bottom of the outdoor unit, a particularly relevant feature for equipment intended for cold climates;
- ENERGY STAR certification indicated in the technical specifications for the models presented.
These are not merely features listed in a brochure. In the field, they directly influence perceived comfort, site selection, and how we size the installation.
An indoor unit installed high on the wall without sacrificing the finish
The project photograph shows a very concrete challenge: the space available above and around the heat pump is limited.
The unit is located practically at the top of the wall. In this situation, precision is essential. Installing it too low would have unnecessarily used part of the wall and could have altered the way air circulates in the room. An installation that did not take access to the front panel and filters into account would also have complicated future HVAC maintenance.
We therefore sought a position that would allow the heat pump to remain discreet while respecting the constraints specific to the unit and the building.
The plate visible on the side of the unit also indicates a minimum installation height of 1.8 metres, or approximately 5.9 feet. The high positioning observed here therefore corresponds well to the intended use of a wall-mounted unit of this type.
The finish around the lines is just as important as the unit
Under the right side of the unit, there is a compact white finish that helps maintain an orderly appearance around the heat pump.
This is a detail we place great importance on at AirGreen.
A wall-mounted heat pump installation can be technically functional yet still make a poor impression if the lines are poorly aligned, the line covers protrude unnecessarily from the wall, or the connections appear improvised.
In relatively small rooms, these details become even more noticeable. Our goal is therefore to choose the most logical route for the refrigerant lines, wiring, and drainage while minimizing the visual impact as much as possible.
Fujitsu Orion XLTH dimensions: an essential detail when working near the ceiling
The Orion XLTH series does not use exactly the same indoor unit for all capacities.
According to the Fujitsu technical data sheet, the 9,000, 12,000, and 15,000 BTU models use an indoor unit measuring:
980 mm wide × 280 mm high × 240 mm deep, or approximately 38 9/16 in. × 11 in. × 9 7/16 in.
The 18,000 and 24,000 BTU models are larger:
1,150 mm wide × 340 mm high × 280 mm deep, or approximately 45 1/4 in. × 13 3/8 in. × 11 in.
This difference of 60 mm, or approximately 2 3/8 in. in height, may seem minor on paper. However, in an installation where a door, ceiling, trim, or another obstacle is located directly around the unit, it can determine whether a model physically fits.
That is why we never choose a capacity solely based on the BTU value shown in an advertisement. Thermal sizing must be correct, but the physical dimensions of the indoor unit must also be verified before installation.
A range that is not limited to a single BTU value
The Fujitsu Orion XLTH documentation provided covers five rated cooling capacities:
9,000, 12,000, 14,500, 18,000, and 22,000 BTU/h, corresponding to the commercial models 9K, 12K, 15K, 18K, and 24K.
For heating, the rated capacities listed are respectively 12,000, 16,000, 18,000, 21,600, and 25,200 BTU/h.
The precise capacity of the photographed unit is not sufficiently legible on the nameplate visible in the image for us to state it with certainty. We therefore prefer not to arbitrarily assign a BTU value to this installation.
This also illustrates an important rule for homeowners: a larger heat pump is not automatically a better heat pump.
Sizing: the mistake we seek to avoid before even taking out the tools
An oversized unit can quickly reach the requested temperature and then reduce its operation without having worked within its optimal range for as long as expected. Conversely, an undersized unit may be placed under greater strain during the coldest periods.
To select a heat pump in Saint-Télesphore, we therefore consider factors such as floor area, insulation, room layout, exposure, windows, heat loss, and the actual role the heat pump will play in heating the building.
The fact that a room has a certain floor area is not always enough to correctly determine the required capacity.
Particularly impressive winter performance for Quebec’s climate
The feature that most distinguishes this series is its low-temperature performance.
Fujitsu indicates a heating range of up to -26 °C for the five capacities presented in the documentation. But the specifications go further by also providing the percentage of maximum available heating capacity at different outdoor temperatures.
At -21 °C, for example, the 9K, 12K, 15K, and 18K models are listed at 154%, 124%, 126%, and 127% of their reference rated capacity, respectively, while the 24K model is listed at 95%. At -26 °C, the figures shown are 127%, 102%, 109%, 106%, and 80%, respectively.
These figures show why it is important to examine low-temperature performance rather than focusing only on the number of BTUs listed in the product name.
For an installation in Montérégie, on the South Shore, on the North Shore, in Montréal, Laval, or Longueuil, this is exactly the type of data we consider when a homeowner wants to use their heat pump as a true source of winter heating.
Energy efficiency: up to 33.1 HSPF2, depending on capacity
The Orion XLTH series also delivers particularly high efficiency for certain sizes.
The technical specifications indicate a TRÈS2 of 33.1 for the 9K model, 30.5 for the 12K, 27.5 for the 15K, 25.5 for the 18K, and 24.0 for the 24K. The regional CPSC2 V, meanwhile, ranges from 9.4 to 10.7 depending on capacity.
This once again highlights why two heat pumps from the same brand and series can have different specifications depending on their capacity.
Refrigerant piping: a technical detail that can completely change a replacement
For homeowners replacing an old heat pump and wishing to reuse part of the existing piping, the required diameters must be verified before making a decision.
For the Fujitsu Orion XLTH, the specifications indicate:
9K and 12K: liquid 1/4 in., gas 3/8 in.
15K: liquid 1/4 in., gas 1/2 in.
18K and 24K: liquid 3/8 in., gas 5/8 in..
This variation explains why we cannot automatically connect a new unit to just any existing piping.
The diameter, condition of the copper, total length, elevation difference, refrigerant used, and manufacturer requirements must all be checked.
Piping lengths that provide some flexibility
The indicated maximum piping length also varies by model: up to 25 meters for the 9K and 12K models, 30 meters for the 15K model, and 50 meters for the 18K and 24K models.
This flexibility can be very useful when the outdoor unit cannot be placed directly behind the indoor unit.
Electrical power supply: 208–230 V with a circuit breaker appropriate for the capacity
The series operates at 208 to 230 V, 60 Hz, single-phase.
The Fujitsu specifications indicate a 15 A circuit breaker for the 9K and 12K models, then 20 A for the 15K, 18K, and 24K models.
This is another point we check before an HVAC installation. The choice of a heat pump must take into account the building’s available electrical capacity, particularly in some older homes where the panel has less available capacity.
A quiet heat pump is particularly appreciated when it is installed in an occupied room
For the 9K and 12K models, Fujitsu indicates an indoor sound level as low as 23 dB(A) in quiet mode. The 15K drops to 26 dB(A), while the 18K and 24K models are listed at 30 dB(A) in quiet mode.
In a bedroom, office, living room, or any space where occupants spend several hours a day, this feature can be just as important as energy efficiency.
Comfort is not simply a matter of reaching 21°C. It is also important to avoid unpleasant drafts, significant temperature fluctuations, and unnecessarily high fan noise.
R-32 and the new generation of Fujitsu heat pumps
This generation of Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH uses R-32.
Fujitsu documentation indicates a global warming potential of 675 for R-32, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, representing an announced reduction of approximately 68%.
For the homeowner, the main point is that the selection, installation, commissioning, and maintenance must be carried out in accordance with the requirements specific to the equipment and refrigerant used.
Rebates: what to verify before promising an amount
Fujitsu documentation classifies the Orion XLTH models shown as ENERGY STAR, with classifications that include cold-climate performance.
For installations completed in Quebec since November 26, 2025, Hydro-Québec specifies that heat pumps must be ENERGY STAR certified to qualify for LogisVert financial assistance. Hydro-Québec also maintains a tool for estimating financial assistance based on the model number or AHRI number. The residential program indicates that assistance for an eligible heat pump can reach $6,700, depending on the equipment and applicable conditions.
However, we avoid quoting a precise amount based solely on the name “Orion XLTH.” The exact combination of indoor and outdoor units, the eligible model number, the program conditions, and the installation date must be verified before confirming a rebate.
Hydro-Québec specifically requires a detailed invoice including the equipment description, the AHRI or ENERGY STAR number, the tax numbers and the contractor’s RBQ licence, as well as a legible photo of the outdoor unit’s nameplate.
What this Saint-Télesphore installation actually shows
This photo looks simple: a white heat pump installed near the ceiling.
For us, however, it sums up several important technical decisions.
We had to select a location that would allow good air distribution, take the available space near the ceiling into account, achieve a compact finish around the lines, maintain the necessary access to the unit, and prepare the installation to perform equally well during a hot day in July and a very cold period in January.
That is precisely what distinguishes a thoughtfully planned wall-mounted heat pump installation from one where the goal is simply to find the quickest place to mount the unit.
Mistakes we recommend avoiding when choosing a wall-mounted heat pump
An installation like this reminds us of several essential points: do not choose the BTUs based solely on floor area, do not order a unit before measuring the available space, do not assume that old refrigerant lines are compatible, do not forget to check the electrical panel, and do not choose the outdoor unit’s location solely based on the shortest distance.
Maintenance must also be considered from the moment of installation. The filters must remain accessible, and the unit must be able to be inspected and cleaned without unnecessarily dismantling the surrounding elements.
An AirGreen approach applicable throughout Greater Montreal
Whether we carry out an installation in Saint-Télesphore, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, or on the South Shore, we apply the same logic: understand the building before choosing the equipment.
The model matters. Efficiency matters. BTUs matter. But how the heat pump is integrated into the building matters just as much.
This Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH is an excellent example: a compact wall-mounted design, Inverter technology, heating operation down to -26 °C, R-32 refrigerant, high efficiency, and various capacities that make it possible to adapt the system to the property’s actual needs.
In this Saint-Télesphore project, the indoor unit installed high on the wall and the discreet finish around the connections also demonstrate a priority we maintain on every job: ensuring that the system’s technical performance and the installation’s visual quality work together.
The big day, step by step
The main steps of this kind of job at AirGreen. Every house has its quirks: the estimate brings them out.
We look at the room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
Model, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
Floors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
A single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
Set on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
Connected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
A dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
Leak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
Remote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
- The on-site estimateWe look at the room, the outside wall, the line route and where the outdoor unit will go. That is where the capacity gets chosen.
- The quoteModel, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
- Getting readyFloors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
- The wall openingA single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
- The outdoor unitSet on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
- Lines, cable and drainConnected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
- The electrical workA dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
- Tests and start-upLeak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
- The walkthroughRemote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
What would it look like at your place?
Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.
Conversion: 1 W = 3.412 BTU/h. An indication, not a load calculation: baseboards and furnaces are often stronger than the real need, and they can stay as backup. AirGreen confirms the capacity on site.
Four mistakes we do not make
Flip each card to see what we do instead.
Your own project, step by step
What to do, season by season
Three habits per season for this unit. They take a few minutes and prevent many calls.
- Clean the indoor unit's filters.
- Clear leaves and debris left on the outdoor unit by winter.
- Test cooling before the first hot days.
- Clean the filters more often when the unit runs a lot.
- Keep plants away from the outdoor unit.
- Check that no water drips from the indoor unit.
- Rake the leaves around the outdoor unit.
- Test heating before the first cold days.
- Book periodic maintenance before winter.
- Keep snow away from the stand and the front of the unit.
- Let the unit defrost: it is normal.
- Never hit the ice on the fins; call us if the unit stays iced up.
Is your home ready?
Check what applies at your place. A "no" is not a refusal: it is what we sort out during the estimate.
Four statements: true or false?
It all comes down to details you have just seen.
1. In heating mode, the outdoor unit can produce water.
During defrost cycles. That water must drain away without forming ice.
2. You pick the capacity with a simple square-footage rule.
Windows, insulation, orientation and how the room is used all count. Capacity is chosen on site.
3. A multi-zone connects several indoor heads to a single condenser.
One head per room, all on the same condenser. Each room keeps its own temperature.
4. The disconnect can sit behind the patio furniture.
It must stay accessible: it is what shuts the unit off for service.
0 / 4 right answers
What people ask us about this kind of work
Does a wall-mounted heat pump heat in winter?
Wall-mounted or multi-zone: how do I choose?
Where does the outdoor unit go?
Are there grants?
Do I need a permit?
How cold can it heat?
How much can I save?
How is the LogisVert assistance calculated?
Is it noisy?
The outdoor unit is covered in ice: is that normal?
Does AirGreen hold the required licences?
Is the estimate free?
No question matches. Write to us: we answer.
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Text and photo: a real AirGreen Climatisation & Chauffage job. The diagrams are generic illustrations of the type of installation, not a survey of this job site. Sources of the added figures: airgreen.ca product pages (NEEP / AHRI performance), Hydro-Québec (Heat pumps page, LogisVert, read on 13 October 2026), Régie de l’énergie (rate D as of 1 April 2026).