A balcony installation in Havelock where every available square foot had to be used intelligently
In Havelock, this installation of a MIDEA MIDEA35 wall-mounted heat pump placed us in a configuration very different from a conventional ground-level residential installation. The outdoor unit had to be integrated into a relatively narrow balcony of a brick building, near a metal railing, a door, windows, and an exterior staircase.
In this type of project, the challenge is not simply finding a place where the outdoor unit can physically fit. We must consider movement on the balcony, the clearance required in front of the fan, access for maintenance, water drainage in winter, and the stability of the unit.
The photo of our installation in Havelock clearly shows the solution chosen: the Midea outdoor unit was placed on an aluminum elevated support, firmly placed on the balcony. The outdoor unit is thus clearly above the floor, while keeping its front and fan completely unobstructed.
This approach is particularly relevant with a side-discharge heat pump. Midea specifically presents its outdoor units as compact equipment that can be installed on a base or support, a design that offers greater flexibility when available outdoor space is limited.
Why elevate the heat pump on this Havelock balcony?
For an outdoor installation in Quebec, we always think about what will happen in January and February, not just how the installation looks on the day the work is completed.
A heat pump operates in heating mode during the winter and periodically performs defrost cycles. These cycles produce water that must be able to drain away without turning the base of the unit into a block of ice.
On a balcony, the issue is different from an installation on the ground. We do not necessarily have a large area of stone or gravel beneath the unit. Water, snow, and ice can accumulate on a relatively confined surface.
The elevated support visible in this installation therefore creates significant space beneath the heat pump. This helps to:
- keep the unit away from snow buildup;
- leave more space for defrost water;
- facilitate inspection beneath the unit;
- avoid placing the chassis directly on the balcony;
- preserve functional space around the connections.
We must also avoid having a support create an obstacle itself. Here, the structure is relatively narrow and uses four independent feet, which limits the footprint while supporting the outdoor unit.
A narrow balcony must never become an air recirculation chamber
One of the possible problems with a wall-mounted heat pump installed on a balcony is air recirculation.
The outdoor fan must expel a significant volume of air. If this air immediately hits a wall, partition, tarp, or obstacle and flows directly back toward the heat pump, operating conditions may be less favorable.
At our Havelock project, the front of the outdoor unit faces the open guardrail rather than a solid wall. This configuration leaves a much clearer outlet path for the airflow.
The photo also shows that we had to work around several existing elements: the brick masonry on the right, the guardrails on the left and in front, as well as the circulation space needed on the balcony.
This is exactly the kind of environment where a professional HVAC installation must be planned on a case-by-case basis.
The MIDEA35 is particularly well suited to installations where space matters
Midea’s brochure presents ductless wall-mounted systems as solutions for connecting the indoor and outdoor units without installing a traditional duct network. The manufacturer emphasizes that only a small opening is needed to route the necessary connections, which significantly reduces interior demolition and finishing work.
For a dwelling or residential building in Havelock, this feature can make a significant difference.
A wall-mounted heat pump may be considered when:
- no central duct network exists;
- the indoor space does not easily allow for the addition of ductwork;
- the building is already fully finished;
- the owner wants to heat and cool a specific area;
- the available outdoor location is limited to a balcony or a small terrace.
However, this flexibility does not eliminate the need for a technical assessment. On the contrary, restricted spaces often require more planning.
MIDEA35: it is the name of the series, not a capacity of 35,000 BTU
An important clarification concerns the name MIDEA35.
The number 35 does not mean that every heat pump in this series delivers 35,000 BTU. According to the Midea documentation provided for this range, the MIDEA35 series includes several combinations of indoor and outdoor units.
The MIDEA35 technical page identifies three rated cooling capacities in particular: 9,000 BTU/h, 12,000 BTU/h, and 18,000 BTU/h.
The combinations listed are as follows:
| MIDEA35 model | Cooling | Rated heating | SEER2 | HSPF2 IV | AHRI reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSESU-H09B-2A / MO1SS-H09B-2A | 9,000 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h | 33,3 | 22,0 | 215471386 |
| MSESU-H12B-2A / MO1SS-H12B-2A | 12,000 BTU/h | 12,000 BTU/h | 29,4 | 14,5 | 215471387 |
| MSESU-H18B-2A / MO1SS-H18B-2A | 18,000 BTU/h | 20,000 BTU/h | 25,6 | 16,2 | 215471388 |
The exact nameplate of the unit photographed in Havelock is not visible in the image. We therefore cannot reliably determine the exact capacity simply from the appearance of the outdoor unit.
This is a distinction we make systematically at AirGreen: a BTU capacity must be confirmed by the model number and not estimated from the machine's outdoor dimensions.
Performance that can reach 33.3 SEER2
The MIDEA35 series falls into the premium category of the wall-mounted systems offered by Midea. Depending on the selected model, its seasonal cooling efficiency reaches up to 33.3 SEER2, while the HSPF2 IV can reach 22,0.
However, these figures must be read correctly.
The maximum efficiency of 33.3 SEER2 corresponds to the 9,000 BTU configuration. The 12,000 BTU version is rated at 29.4 SEER2, and the 18,000 BTU version at 25.6 SEER2.
That is why we recommend that homeowners shopping for a Midea heat pump in Havelock to look at the complete combination rather than a promotional figure associated with an entire product line.
A heat pump designed to provide heating down to -30 °C
For Quebec's climate, low-temperature operation is an important part of the selection process.
The MIDEA35 is presented in the documentation as an extreme-climate heat pump that operates in heating mode down to -30 °CIt uses the refrigerant R-454B and the models in this series are identified Cold Climate V6.1.
The published operating range for heating extends from -30 °C to 24 °C.
This information is highly relevant to Havelock, but it must be interpreted correctly. A heat pump that can operate at -30 °C does not necessarily provide exactly the same capacity at all outdoor temperatures.
Heating capacity changes as the weather gets colder. That is why we size each system according to the building's characteristics, not simply its area.
The variable-speed compressor changes how the heat pump operates
Midea's variable-speed technology allows the compressor to adapt its operation to the heating or cooling demand rather than constantly switching between completely off and full capacity.
According to the manufacturer's documentation, this modulation reduces temperature fluctuations and maintains more consistent indoor comfort.
This feature is useful in an apartment or home where a single wall-mounted unit serves a main zone.
Once the desired temperature is reached, the system can modulate its operation further instead of continuously restarting large cycles.
For the user, this can result in a more consistent temperature and generally quieter operation at low load.
This project in Havelock shows why installation details matter just as much as the technical specifications
An outdoor support must be stable before it can be aesthetically pleasing
The visible aluminum structure beneath the outdoor unit is one of the most distinctive elements of this project.
An outdoor unit contains, among other components, the compressor and the fan. Although modern inverter heat pumps are designed to operate relatively quietly, they necessarily create mechanical vibrations.
The support must therefore be:
- properly assembled;
- stable;
- level;
- suitable for the unit's weight;
- installed on a sufficiently strong surface;
- positioned to maintain the required clearances.
The MIDEA35 range varies considerably in weight depending on capacity. The documentation indicates approximately 99.65 lb for the outdoor units of the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU versions, and approximately 130.29 lb for the 18,000 BTU version.
The structure supporting the unit is therefore never a secondary consideration.
A door's proximity requires thoughtful placement
In the photo, we can see that the heat pump is located near a door leading onto the balcony.
This detail may seem minor, but we must verify that an outdoor installation does not block:
- the door's full opening;
- occupant passage;
- the access required for maintenance;
- the building's designated evacuation routes;
- access to the electrical and refrigerant connections.
The goal is to preserve normal use of the balcony after installation.
We therefore avoid treating a balcony as simply an available technical location. It remains an architectural space that must continue to serve its purpose.
The refrigerant line dimensions are not identical across all MIDEA35 models.
Another important detail concerns the copper lines.
For the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU MIDEA35 models, Midea specifies liquid/gas connections of 1/4 in and 3/8 in.
The 18,000 BTU version instead uses 3/8 in and 5/8 in.
The maximum lengths are not the same either. The two smaller configurations are specified for lengths of up to 82 feet, while the 18,000 BTU version can reach 164 feet under the manufacturer's specified conditions.
These are important considerations when replacing an old heat pump.
We do not recommend assuming that existing lines can automatically be reused. Their diameter, condition, and compatibility must be verified before the final equipment selection.
R-454B and A2L equipment require an adapted approach
The MIDEA35 series operates with R-454B.
The documentation also indicates the presence of a A2L refrigerant leak detection sensor and an A2L dispersion system among the features of these series.
For a modern installation, this means that refrigerant circuit handling procedures must match the characteristics of this refrigerant and the manufacturer's requirements.
At AirGreen, we therefore pay particular attention to preparing the connections, leak testing, evacuation, and commissioning.
A heat pump with excellent performance on paper must be installed properly to reach its intended operating conditions.
Up to 100 fan speeds to fine-tune indoor comfort
The MIDEA35 is about more than its outdoor performance.
Midea indicates that the wall-mounted unit can offer 100 airflow adjustment levelsThe system can also be controlled remotely through the SmartHome app and via Wi-Fi, depending on the configuration.
The MIDEA35, 28, and 25 series also include several comfort functions:
- ECO mode;
- Turbo;
- night mode;
- timer;
- silent mode;
- 8°C heating;
- horizontal and vertical oscillation;
- "Follow Me" function;
- automatic cleaning;
- smart sensor;
- humidity control.
These functions make it possible to adapt the heat pump’s operation much more precisely to the occupants’ habits.
"Follow Me": useful when the temperature varies inside the home
The function "Follow Me" deserves a special explanation.
Midea specifies that the remote control has a sensor capable of measuring the ambient temperature. The unit can then adjust its operation based on this measurement to improve comfort accuracy in the area where the user is located.
In a home with several rooms or long open areas, the temperature near the wall-mounted unit is not always exactly the same as the temperature felt a few metres away.
This function therefore gives the user another way to manage their comfort.
Future maintenance must be planned from the day of installation
On a balcony like the one at this Havelock property, technical access is an important consideration.
An installation may look perfect on the day of the project and become problematic several years later if no one has considered the space needed to open the panels or work on the outdoor unit.
work. We therefore aim to maintain access to the technical components and avoid locations that would make servicing unnecessarily complicated.
Inside, the MIDEA35 series also features a design that facilitates certain HVACHVAC maintenanceMidea notes in particular that the fan wheel can be removed for more thorough cleaning and to provide better access to the inside of the unit.
Mistakes we avoid when installing on a balcony
An installation similar to the one carried out in Havelock requires avoiding several common mistakes:
-
Placing the unit too close to the balcony floor.
Snow, ice, and defrosting must be taken into account. -
Blocking the fan behind a solid wall.
The air discharge must have sufficient clearance. -
Excessively reducing the passageway on the balcony.
The heat pump must not turn the space into a permanent obstacle. -
Using an insufficiently rigid support.
The weight and vibrations must be taken into account. -
Forgetting about future maintenance.
A technician must be able to access the unit’s main components. -
Reusing lines without checking their dimensions.
The different MIDEA35 capacities do not all use the same diameters. -
Mistaking the MIDEA35 series for a capacity of 35,000 BTU.
The documented capacities are 9,000, 12,000, and 18,000 BTU for cooling.
Subsidies: the exact AHRI number matters more than the commercial name
To verify eligibility for an applicable financial assistance program for a heat pump in Quebec, the exact equipment combination must be used.
The MIDEA35 documentation provides three AHRI references:
- 215471386 for the 9,000 BTU combination;
- 215471387 for the 12,000 BTU combination;
- 215471388 for the 18,000 BTU combination.
The models are also identified Cold Climate V6.1.
However, the brochure does not specify a subsidy amount for this particular installation in Havelock. The applicable program, exact model, and current criteria must therefore be verified before confirming financial assistance.
Midea Residential Warranty
The documentation provided by Midea presents a limited residential warranty of 12 years on the compressor, 12 years on parts, and 10 years on labor.
The exact registration and eligibility conditions should of course be verified at the time of purchase.
We always recommend that homeowners keep the model numbers, serial numbers, invoice, and documents associated with the installation.
What we especially note about this MIDEA35 installation in Havelock
This installation is an excellent example of the kind of project where the difference lies in the intelligent use of space.
We were working with a narrow balcony, bordered by a metal railing and adjacent to a brick façade. The outdoor unit had to remain accessible, unobstructed, and high enough while still leaving the balcony usable.
The elevated stand allowed us to integrate the heat pump into this particular configuration without simply placing the unit in the first available spot.
For us, a good HVAC installation in Havelock never consists solely of connecting a machine. We must understand the building, anticipate winter conditions, comply with the system requirements, and consider how the installation will be used and maintained in the years that follow.
AirGreen for your wall-mounted heat pumps in Havelock and Greater Montreal
At AirGreen, we carry out Midea wall-mounted heat pumps, multi-zone systems and other heating and cooling solutions with Havelock, as well as in Montreal, Laval, and Longueuil, on the North Shore and the South Shore.
Every project has its own constraints.
On a balcony, we have to manage the available space. On a masonry wall, we have to consider the mounting method. In an older home, the path of the lines can become the main challenge. In a multi-unit building, we must also take into account the immediate surroundings of the other units and existing access points.
This installation of MIDEA35 in Havelock illustrates our approach precisely: choosing a solution that meets the building’s needs, then adapting each installation component to the actual site conditions.