In Venise-en-Québec, a FUJITSU installation where the space between the window and the ceiling had to be used down to the last millimeter
This FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ in Venise-en-Québec installation presents a particularly interesting configuration: the indoor unit had to be installed directly above a large glazed area, in a relatively narrow strip of wall between the top of the window and the ceiling.
The photo taken after our work shows precisely the desired result. The FUJITSU unit occupies the upper part of the wall, aligned with the window, while the roller blinds and their mechanisms remain in place immediately below the unit. The available space was therefore far from unlimited. We had to integrate the heat pump without preventing the use of the blinds, without placing the unit unnecessarily low in front of the window, and while maintaining a configuration that allowed for its operation and maintenance.
This is the kind of project in which the unit's physical dimensions become almost as important as its performance data.
The FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ series presented in the manufacturer's documentation includes the 09KTAP1, 12KTAP1, and 15KTAP1 configurations. The corresponding indoor units all have an advertised width of 35 3/16 in. (894 mm), a height of 11 5/8 in. (295 mm), and a depth of 11 in. (280 mm). This relatively compact footprint explains why this series may be of interest when a heat pump must be integrated into a restricted section of wall, such as the one visible in this installation in Venise-en-Québec.
Installing above a window: an effective solution only if the entire project is properly planned
Installing a wall-mounted heat pump above a window can be an excellent solution, but it is not simply a matter of centering the unit and mounting it on the wall.
Before installation, we must check several elements:
- the actual available height;
- the clearance required around the unit;
- the position of the blind rail or mechanism;
- the opening of the front panel;
- access to the filters;
- the condensate drain route;
- the path of the refrigerant lines;
- the direction of the airflow;
- the strength of the mounting surface;
- future maintenance options.
In this installation, the blinds occupy practically the entire width of the window, and their mechanisms are located just below the heat pump. Positioning it a few centimeters lower could therefore have created an awkward interaction between the HVAC system and the window treatments.
Instead, we favored a high, compact installation so that each element could retain its function.
The challenge visible in the photo: a unit very close to the ceiling
The FUJITSU is installed near a textured ceiling, with relatively little visible space above its casing.
This type of configuration requires much more precise measuring than a completely unobstructed wall.
The unit must be able to draw in air properly through its upper section. The front panel must also remain accessible for routine filter maintenance.
It is therefore never enough to determine that a unit “can fit” in the space.
Our job is to determine whether it can be installed there properly.
This is particularly important with a wall-mounted heat pump used year-round, because the system will continuously move air in both cooling and heating modes.
Why positioning the unit above a large window can be beneficial for comfort
Large glazed surfaces directly influence a room’s heating and cooling requirements.
In summer, a window exposed to the sun can represent a significant source of heat gain. In winter, even high-performance glazing generally remains an area where heat losses differ from those through an insulated wall.
Placing the wall-mounted unit in this area can allow air to be distributed directly into the room rather than dedicating an entire additional wall to the equipment.
In the photo of this installation in Venise-en-Québec, the location also provides a largely unobstructed airflow path toward the inside of the room.
This feature is important. A high-quality heat pump installed behind a tall cabinet, in an enclosed corner, or facing an obstacle may provide less comfort than expected.
A unit that adjusts its airflow on its own
According to FUJITSU documentation, the ORION XLTH+ range has six fan speeds plus automatic mode.
The available speeds include:
- high;
- medium-high;
- medium;
- medium-low;
- low;
- low;
- automatic.
The vertical direction of the airflow is also motorized.
This ability to vary the output helps adapt the machine’s operation to the actual situation: high demand after a significant temperature change, followed by quieter operation as the room approaches the setpoint.
Inverter technology serves the same purpose by allowing the compressor to adjust its output rather than being limited to fully on-or-off operation.
A discreet indoor installation despite extensive glazing
The photograph also shows why the appearance of a wall-mounted unit matters in certain projects.
With a window occupying a large part of the wall, the available space above it immediately becomes highly visible. A disproportionate or poorly centered unit would attract unnecessary attention.
The ORION XLTH+ has a relatively understated front panel, with the FUJITSU logo on the left and the AIRSTAGE identification on the right.
The white casing remains visually consistent with the window frames and blinds.
At AirGreen, we never consider this aesthetic aspect separately from the technical installation. A heating and cooling system is intended to remain in place for many years. It must therefore be installed in a way that respects the existing interior architecture as much as possible.
A sound level as low as 23 dB(A)
In a living space, the sound level of the indoor unit can matter far more than a few extra points on a sales specification sheet.
According to the FUJITSU technical specifications, the 09KTAP1 and 12KTAP1 models can operate at just 23 dB(A) in Quiet mode. The 15KTAP1 model is listed at 26 dB(A) in the same mode.
At higher speeds, noise levels naturally increase because more air must be moved.
The ability to operate very quietly when the heating demand decreases is especially appreciated in a home where the unit is located in the immediate vicinity of the occupants.
ORION XLTH+: a wall-mounted heat pump particularly well suited to Quebec heating needs
Down to -30 °C in heating mode
In Venise-en-Québec, a heat pump cannot be considered solely as an air conditioner for July and August.
Heating is an essential part of the decision.
The documentation for the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ states a heating operating range of up to -30 °C (-22 °F) for the three capacities offered in this series.
This feature is particularly relevant in the Quebec context, where winter temperatures can fall well below -15 °C.
The series has three nominal cooling capacities:
- 09KTAP1: 9,000 BTU/h;
- 12KTAP1: 12,000 BTU/h;
- 15KTAP1: 14,500 BTU/h.
The photograph clearly identifies the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE family, but it does not allow the nameplate to be read and therefore cannot confirm with certainty which of the three capacities was used on this project. We prefer to preserve this distinction rather than assign an unverifiable BTU rating to the installation.
A heating capacity higher than the nominal cooling capacity
The series data are particularly interesting when examining heating performance.
For the 09KTAP1, Fujitsu indicates:
- nominal heating capacity of 12,000 BTU/h;
- capacity modulation of up to 24,000 BTU/h.
For the 12KTAP1:
- nominal heating capacity of 15,300 BTU/h;
- max. 27,300 BTU/h.
For the 15KTAP1:
- nominal heating capacity of 17,400 BTU/h;
- max. 28,000 BTU/h.
These figures illustrate a point we often explain when preparing a quote: the number of BTUs used to commercially identify a heat pump does not, on its own, describe its heating capabilities.
The right system should instead match the home's heat loss and how air can circulate between the different zones.
A stated performance that remains significant even at -26 °C and -30 °C
The FUJITSU specification sheet also provides the maximum heating capacity percentages at different outdoor temperatures.
At -26 °C, it indicates:
- 147% for the 09KTAP1;
- 128% for the 12KTAP1;
- 116% for the 15KTAP1.
At -30 °C:
- 113% for the 09KTAP1;
- 103% for the 12KTAP1;
- 101% for the 15KTAP1.
These percentages are based on the conditions specified by the manufacturer and do not replace a heating load calculation. However, they clearly demonstrate the positioning of the ORION XLTH+ as a cold-climate heat pump.
The base pan heater: an important detail when temperatures reach -30 °C
When a heat pump operates in heating mode, the outdoor unit must periodically perform a defrost cycle.
The ice and frost accumulated on the coil are then removed, producing water during a period when the outdoor temperature may be well below zero.
The ORION XLTH+ series is equipped with a base pan heater designed for extremely cold climates.
This equipment contributes to managing the outdoor unit’s winter operation.
However, it remains essential that the outdoor installation itself be suitable: sufficient height above the snow, adequate clearance around the unit, and enough space for defrost water to drain.
A unit designed for -30°C never makes proper installation unnecessary.
R-32: the refrigerant used by this FUJITSU generation
This new series operates with R-32.
In its technical document, Fujitsu compares a global warming potential of 2,088 for R-410A with 675 for R-32, representing a stated reduction of 68% in GWP. The manufacturer also indicates that its R-32 equipment requires less refrigerant while maintaining the desired heating performance.
For us, this technological evolution also requires rigorous execution during installation and commissioning.
The refrigerant connection, evacuation, testing, and refrigerant handling must always comply with the requirements for the installed unit.
1/4 in. – 3/8 in. piping for the entire series
The FUJITSU technical data sheet indicates the same refrigerant connection dimensions for all three models:
- 1/4 in. for liquid;
- 3/8 in. for gas.
The specified minimum length is 10 ft, while the circuit can extend up to 66 ft (20 m) according to the specifications for this range. The maximum vertical difference is 49 ft (14.9 m).
This flexibility is particularly useful when an indoor unit, such as the one in this installation in Venise-en-Québec, is positioned in a location chosen to optimize the interior space, while the outdoor unit must be installed elsewhere on the building.
Nevertheless, we aim to keep the piping route as rational as possible. Adding unnecessary detours increases installation complexity and often makes the exterior finish less discreet.
ProCore copper coils in the indoor unit
Behind the façade visible in the photo, Fujitsu uses highly corrosion-resistant ProCore copper coils.
This is a typical example of a feature that is not visible once the system has been installed but deserves consideration when a homeowner compares several heat pumps.
The choice of an HVAC system should never come down to the design of the unit or its price alone.
We also examine:
- low-temperature heating performance;
- energy efficiency;
- modulation;
- heat exchanger design;
- refrigerant;
- noise;
- control options;
- physical dimensions;
- installation requirements;
- service accessibility.
Integrated Wi-Fi and AIRSTAGE app
The series documentation also mentions integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, enabling remote monitoring and control through the AIRSTAGE app.
This feature notably allows the temperature to be adjusted from a mobile device.
Fujitsu also offers several optional control options and interfaces compatible with protocols such as BACnet and Modbus, making more advanced integrations possible when the application warrants it.
For a residential homeowner, however, the main advantage remains the ability to manage heating and cooling more easily on a daily basis.
High efficiency ratings according to capacity
The technical data sheet provides 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.
The three configurations presented also bear the ENERGY STAR designations indicated by Fujitsu.
When a homeowner is looking for an efficient heat pump eligible for financial incentives in Quebec, these features are relevant. Nevertheless, we recommend confirming the eligibility of the exact combination under the applicable program at the time of installation, since the lists and amounts may change.
The error to avoid in this type of installation: blocking the blinds or making maintenance difficult
The configuration shown in the photograph provides an excellent example of an error we systematically seek to avoid.
With a unit installed directly above the windows, it would have been easy to position the heat pump too low and make it difficult to use the blinds.
The opposite would also have been problematic: pushing the unit excessively close to the ceiling just to gain a few centimetres, without considering its air intake or maintenance.
A successful HVAC installation depends on balancing these constraints.
After installation, the owner must be able to:
- use their windows and blinds normally;
- access the filters;
- benefit from unobstructed airflow;
- have the unit serviced;
- to maintain a clean interior appearance.
The washable filters must remain accessible
Fujitsu indicates that the indoor units in this series use washable air filters.
Regular cleaning is important because a dust-laden filter reduces airflow and can affect comfort.
For equipment installed at this height, access must therefore be anticipated from the outset.
During more comprehensive HVAC maintenance, we must also be able to reach the heat exchanger, blower wheel, condensate pan, and drain.
That is why future maintenance is part of our planning even before the first hole is drilled.
An approach we also apply in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore
Every building brings its own constraints.
In Venise-en-Québec, this installation focused in particular on large windows, blinds installed very close to the available space, and limited room between the top of the window and the ceiling.
On other projects in Montreal, the challenge may be a narrow balcony. In Laval or on the North Shore, it may be managing the outdoor unit and snow. In Longueuil or on the South Shore, we regularly encounter homes where the piping route or interior layout requires a completely different approach.
Our method remains the same, however: we adapt the installation to the property rather than systematically imposing the same configuration.
A compact heat pump that makes efficient use of an often-unused area
The most interesting detail of this Venise-en-Québec project is ultimately very practical: we used the area above the window to install the system without taking up a wall that could have been used for furniture, artwork, or other design elements.
The compact front of the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ fits into this space while the large window and blinds retain their functionality.
Behind this apparent simplicity, however, are several technical decisions: mounting height, airflow direction, routing of the connections, future maintenance, and compliance with the equipment’s dimensions.
The ORION XLTH+ series completes this installation with features that are particularly well suited to Quebec: heating down to -30 °C, Inverter technology, R-32 refrigerant, a base pan heater, built-in Wi-Fi, indoor operation as low as 23 dB(A), depending on capacity, and high seasonal efficiency.
It is this combination of equipment selection and installation quality that allows a heat pump system to become a true long-term comfort solution.