In Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, an installation where the wall height and movement between levels guided our work
This installation carried out in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois presents a situation very different from installing a wall-mounted heat pump in a rectangular bedroom or a small living room. Here, the indoor FUJITSU AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH+ unit was installed high on a large wall immediately next to a staircase.
The photograph taken during our work clearly shows the site constraints: a high ceiling, a large vertical wall surface, the stair railing in the foreground, and several ladders needed to work properly at the selected height. In this type of environment, a few centimetres can make a significant difference. The appliance must be high enough to promote effective air projection, but it is also necessary to preserve the required clearances around the unit, maintain access for servicing, and take into account the particular geometry created by the staircase.
At AirGreen, we often see homes where the staircase becomes a true air circulation path between two levels. A wall-mounted heat pump installed nearby can then contribute to more natural heat or air-conditioning distribution, provided its location is carefully selected.
Our work in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois therefore did not consist solely of mounting a FUJITSU unit on an available wall. We had to understand how the air would circulate once the system was operating and how to maintain a clean installation in a very open architectural space.
An appliance installed high up, but not simply “as high as possible”
In the photo, the indoor unit is clearly positioned above the level of the stair railing. This placement fully preserves the usable space around the staircase and prevents a heat pump from visually or physically obstructing a passageway.
However, installing a heat pump very high up is not automatically a good solution.
We must always find a balance between several factors:
- the available height;
- the clearance above the unit;
- the direction of the airflow;
- access to the filters;
- access during a future HVAC service;
- the routing of the refrigerant lines;
- condensate drainage;
- the layout of the rooms and adjacent levels.
In this residence in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, the vertical configuration of the space made positioning particularly important.
The photograph also shows the ladders used during the installation. This detail clearly illustrates part of the challenge: when an indoor unit is located at a height, the work must be organized so that the installation, connections, levelling, and final checks are completed properly despite less conventional access.
Why the staircase changes how we think about air distribution
An open staircase can facilitate air exchange between floors.
Warm air naturally tends to rise, while cooler air descends. A heat pump installed near a staircase must therefore be adjusted and positioned with this dynamic in mind.
In heating mode, we try whenever possible to direct the airflow toward occupied areas rather than simply supplying the volume near the ceiling.
In cooling mode, the effect may be different, since cooler air tends to descend.
This is another reason why we avoid making decisions based solely on the appearance of the wall.
A heat pump installation in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois must be designed for the actual building, including its openings, levels, and volumes.
FUJITSU Orion XLTH+: a range designed for our winter temperatures
The FUJITSU AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH+ range used for this project is designed to operate in heating mode down to -30 °C. FUJITSU documentation presents this family as a single-zone wall-mounted range for cold climates using R-32 refrigerant and an Inverter compressor.
This very-low-temperature operating capability is particularly relevant for a residence in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois.
Our customers looking for a wall-mounted heat pump in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore or the South Shore generally share the same priority: they no longer want to view a heat pump as merely a summer air conditioner. They are looking for a system capable of making a meaningful contribution to heating during Quebec winters.
The Orion XLTH+ meets this need precisely.
Three capacities in the Orion XLTH+ range
The technical data sheet provided for this series presents three combinations:
- 09KTAP1;
- 12KTAP1;
- 15KTAP1.
The 09KTAP1 model offers a rated cooling capacity of 9,000 BTU/h and a rated heating capacity of 12,000 BTU/h.
The 12KTAP1 is rated at 12,000 BTU/h in cooling and 15,300 BTU/h in heating.
The 15KTAP1 reaches 14,500 BTU/h in cooling and 17,400 BTU/h in rated heating.
The photograph from Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois clearly identifies a FUJITSU AIRSTAGE indoor unit, but it does not provide a sufficiently clear reading of the nameplate to confirm which of these capacities was installed.
We therefore prefer not to make this information up.
This distinction is important because we want every article about our installations to reflect the actual project.
Heating capacity that remains high as the temperature drops
One of the most interesting aspects of the Orion XLTH+ appears in the performance table on page 4 of the documentation.
At -30 °C, Fujitsu indicates a maximum heating capacity corresponding to:
- 113 % of the rated capacity for the 09KTAP1;
- 103 % for the 12KTAP1;
- 101 % for the 15KTAP1.
At -26 °C, the published values still reach 147%, 128%, and 116%, depending on the capacity.
These figures provide a better understanding of why it is essential to examine cold-weather performance rather than simply reading the minimum temperature announced by a manufacturer.
A heat pump can technically continue operating at a given temperature while having lost a considerable amount of capacity.
In the case of this FUJITSU series, the published data instead show heating capacity maintained at particularly impressive levels as temperatures approach -30 °C.
Efficiency levels that vary by capacity
The technical data sheet also indicates a TRÈS2 of:
- 33.5 for the 09KTAP1;
- 31.5 for the 12KTAP1;
- 28.7 for the 15KTAP1.
The three capacities are identified in the documentation by the ENERGY STAR ratings provided by Fujitsu.
These figures are useful when comparing several wall-mounted heat pumps, but they should never be analyzed in isolation.
The unit with the highest seasonal efficiency is not necessarily the right one for a large open-concept area or a space with multiple levels.
The system size must match the building.
An undersized unit could run constantly at high capacity during severe cold. An oversized unit, on the other hand, might not properly use its modulation capacity under certain conditions.
The technical details that turn an installation into an HVAC system truly suited to the home
Inverter technology: particularly relevant in an open space
Inverter technology allows the compressor to modulate its output according to demand.
In a space like the one photographed in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, this feature is particularly important.
An open staircase can change the perceived load around the unit depending on the temperatures on each floor, sunlight, open doors, and natural air circulation.
Rather than continuously alternating between full power and a complete shutdown, the heat pump can gradually adjust its operation.
This helps:
- stabilize the temperature;
- reduce comfort fluctuations;
- better respond to a variable load;
- limit unnecessary starts and stops;
- maintain quieter operation.
Up to 23 dB(A) in quiet indoor operation
A unit installed in a central traffic area must also be discreet.
Fujitsu indicates an indoor sound level as low as 23 dB(A) for the 09KTAP1 and 12KTAP1 models in quiet mode, while the 15KTAP1 can reach 26 dB(A).
The range offers several fan speeds: automatic, high, medium-high, medium, medium-low, low, and quiet.
In a home where the unit is located near a staircase, noise can otherwise easily spread to the different levels. Quiet operation therefore becomes a genuine practical advantage.
Built-in Wi-Fi makes everyday management easier
The Orion XLTH+ documentation mentions built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring with the AIRSTAGE mobile app.
In an installation located relatively high up, this feature can also provide additional comfort: it is not always necessary to stand directly in front of the unit to change the settings.
Remote control allows you to adjust:
- the temperature;
- the operating mode;
- certain ventilation settings;
- periods of use according to the available functions.
The series also supports several more advanced control options, and Fujitsu specifically mentions compatibility with BACnet and Modbus interfaces when used with the appropriate accessories.
Copper ProCore coils
Page 3 of the FUJITSU documentation specifies that the indoor unit uses highly corrosion-resistant copper ProCore coils.
This type of detail is not always the first thing a homeowner looks at when comparing two heat pumps.
For us, it remains relevant.
A cold-climate heat pump is designed to operate for long periods, in both cooling and heating modes. The design of the heat exchanger and internal components therefore directly contributes to the system’s durability.
A compact unit that integrates well into a large wall
This photo of the installation in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois also shows why the aesthetics of a wall-mounted unit matter.
On this large light-colored wall, the white appliance remains relatively discreet despite its prominent position.
The casing has simple lines, while the connections run through the left side of the unit, where a white finish can be seen protecting and concealing the transition.
For this type of project, the goal is to achieve an installation that looks like it belongs to the building rather than equipment added afterward without aesthetic consideration.
1/4 in. and 3/8 in. refrigerant piping
The FUJITSU specifications indicate, for the three models in the Orion XLTH+ range:
- 1/4 in. for the liquid line;
- 3/8 in. for the gas line.
The minimum piping length is specified as 10 feet, while the maximum length can reach 66 feet.
The published maximum vertical difference is 49 feet.
This ability to accommodate elevation differences is particularly useful in homes where the indoor unit is located in a high space or on a different level from the outdoor unit.
The photographed installation in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois clearly illustrates why piping flexibility can be important in buildings with multiple levels.
Drainage becomes even more important when the unit is installed high up
In cooling and dehumidification modes, the indoor unit produces condensate.
This water must be drained properly.
When a heat pump is installed on a high wall, we must consider from the outset the available slope for the drain and the route required to its discharge point.
Improper drainage can cause:
- indoor water leakage;
- gurgling noise;
- moisture around the unit;
- damage to the finish;
- accumulation in the line.
The installation’s finished appearance is therefore only the visible part of the work. Behind this FUJITSU unit are decisions related to refrigerant connections, drainage, wiring, and mechanical positioning.
The electrical circuit varies according to capacity
All models presented in the specifications operate at 208 to 230 V, 60 Hz, single-phase.
The technical data specifies a circuit breaker of:
- 15 A for the 09KTAP1;
- 20 A for the 12KTAP1;
- 20 A for the 15KTAP1.
We therefore always check the electrical situation before confirming an installation.
This prevents selecting a heat pump that would later require unexpected modifications to the electrical panel.
A truly four-season operating range
The FUJITSU Orion XLTH+ is rated to operate in cooling mode between -10 °C and 50 °C, and in heating mode between -30 °C and 24 °C.
In Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, this makes it possible to use the system well beyond the few hottest weeks of summer.
In the spring, the heat pump can provide light, modulated heating.
During the summer, it cools the air and removes some of its humidity.
In the fall, it can resume heating without immediately requiring a more energy-intensive solution.
During the winter, it continues to operate in extremely low outdoor temperatures, according to the limits published by Fujitsu.
The mistake to avoid: orienting a unit solely according to where it “fits”
An unobstructed wall is not necessarily a good location.
In a space with a staircase, the heat pump’s orientation must take the path of the air into account.
Installing the unit too close to a wall return can limit airflow projection.
Placing it facing a nearby partition can create a very short airflow path.
Positioning it in a corner simply because the piping would be easier there can affect comfort throughout the appliance’s entire service life.
On this Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois project, the large wall provides an ideal surface for placing the unit in an unobstructed area.
This allows the blower to distribute air throughout the room without being immediately blocked by a partition.
You need to think about maintenance five or ten years from now
The installation height also creates an obligation: maintaining reasonable access for servicing.
The filters must be cleaned regularly.
Over the long term, a wall-mounted heat pump may also require thorough cleaning of the evaporator, blower wheel, and condensate pan.
We therefore avoid installations where the unit becomes virtually inaccessible once the building’s finishing work is complete.
The presence of the ladders in the photograph shows that accessing this unit requires more preparation than accessing a heat pump installed at a conventional height. This is one of the details a homeowner should know from the outset.
Why choosing a heat pump should not be limited to the number of BTUs
When we prepare an estimate for a HVAC installation in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, we consider much more than the total area.
The actual load depends in particular on:
- of the ceiling height;
- of the insulation quality;
- of the number of windows;
- of infiltration losses;
- of the number of exterior walls;
- of the layout of the levels;
- of the staircase opening;
- of solar exposure;
- of the desired indoor temperature.
The photo from this project offers an excellent example.
A significant vertical space does not behave like a room with the same floor dimensions and a standard ceiling.
Air volume, thermal stratification, and air exchange between levels must be taken into consideration.
This project reflects the way we work at AirGreen
Every project has an element that requires more careful thought.
In Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, this element was clearly the building’s vertical configuration and the proximity of the staircase.
We installed the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE Orion XLTH+ in a position that keeps passageways clear, makes use of the large available wall surface, and allows the system to distribute its air through an open space.
The unit then brings its own technical advantages: heating down to -30 °C, Inverter technology, R-32 refrigerant, built-in Wi-Fi, very quiet indoor operation, and high energy efficiency depending on the capacity selected.
But a heat pump never operates in a laboratory.
It operates in a real home, with walls, stairs, ceilings, windows, occupants, and lifestyle habits.
That is precisely why installation quality matters as much as the choice of brand.
An approach we apply throughout Greater Montreal
Whether we work in Sainte-Anne-de-Sabrevois, Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, or on the South Shore, we apply the same logic: understand the building before deciding where to install the equipment.
A properly selected and well-positioned heat pump can improve comfort remarkably.
Conversely, a very good unit that is poorly installed can produce temperature differences, unsatisfactory air circulation, or avoidable maintenance difficulties.
In this project, the wall’s height was not an obstacle to work around. It was part of the solution.
The FUJITSU Orion XLTH+ was therefore integrated into the home’s layout rather than simply added to the first available wall.
It is this kind of detail that transforms an ordinary installation into a heat pump installation designed for the building, its occupants, and Quebec’s climate.