Installation of a Senville AURA 12,000 BTU Wall-Mounted Heat Pump on the South Shore of Montreal
Expert installation of a Senville AURA 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump above a narrow staircase on Montreal's South Shore , providing efficient heating down to -30°C in a complex space to heat.
- City
- Region
- Equipment
- Brand
- Challenges
- Published
The job on one screen
The article, chapter by chapter
4-season comfort in a hard-to-access stairwell
When it comes to energy efficiency and performance in extreme cold, few heat pumps rival the Senville AURA 12,000 BTU , a solution renowned for its heating capabilities down to -30°C , its SEER of 22.5 , and its proven reliability. Recently, at AirGreen , we had the opportunity to install this compact yet powerful unit in a single-family residence located on the South Shore of Montreal . The installation presented a unique challenge: positioning the wall-mounted unit directly above a narrow staircase , requiring precision, strategy, and expertise.
Project context: An HVAC solution for a complex space
The client approached us with a clear need: to improve thermal comfort in a central entrance hall , located at the top of a staircase leading to the basement. This area was previously difficult to heat evenly, and a conventional solution such as an electric baseboard heater did not meet expectations.
Thanks to our free on-site evaluation, we immediately identified the Senville AURA 12,000 BTU as the ideal solution , combining:
-
Efficient heating down to -30°C (perfect for Quebec winters)
-
Compact format , allowing installation in tight spaces
-
DC Inverter Technology with Toshiba GMCC Compressor
-
Energy Star certification , guaranteeing significant energy savings
Technical details of the Senville AURA 12,000 BTU heat pump
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Cooling capacity | 12,000 BTU |
| Heating capacity up to | -30°C |
| Energy efficiency | SEER 22.5 , HSPF up to 12 |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Compressor | Toshiba GMCC |
| Standard warranty | 7 years compressor / 3 years parts |
| Extended warranty available | 10-10-10 |
| Wi-Fi | Optional |
Installation: a challenge of access and positioning
The indoor unit had to be installed just above the door leading to the basement stairs —a very tight space, with little ceiling clearance, a narrow door frame, and height safety constraints. To successfully complete this delicate operation, our team:
-
Secure access with light scaffolding to protect the integrity of the wall and prevent any accidents at the top of the stairs.
-
Prepared a neat groove for the discreet passage of refrigeration pipes and electrical wiring.
-
Used a laser level to ensure perfectly horizontal positioning despite the inclined angle of the wall adjacent to the staircase.
-
Optimized the drainage of the condensation pipe, by routing it securely to the outside via a discreet elbow, without the risk of backflow.
End result: optimal performance in a small space
The client immediately noticed a major difference in thermal comfort , especially in the morning when the entrance hall previously remained cold and unpleasant. Thanks to the airflow directed towards the stairs and neighboring rooms , the wall-mounted heat pump now allows for even heat distribution on two levels.
Why did you choose the Senville AURA?
As experts in wall-mounted heat pump installation on the South Shore , we recommend the Senville AURA for several reasons:
-
Proven reliability in extreme Quebec climates
-
Very quiet , perfect for a passage area like a corridor
-
Discreet and modern design , blending well with residential decor
-
Easy maintenance thanks to front access to filters
Grants and Eligibility
In this case, the Senville AURA heat pump was not eligible for federal or provincial subsidies due to the R-410A refrigerant (less energy efficient than R-32 or R-454B). However, the customer was informed of eligible alternatives and chose Senville for its proven performance.
AirGreen: a professional approach at every stage
At AirGreen, each installation is treated with rigor and attention to detail . For this installation:
-
No deposit required: payment at the end only , when the customer is fully satisfied
-
We offered a free on-site quote , without obligation.
-
All work was carried out by our own certified technicians
-
The finishing (gutters, seals, functional test) was carried out with care
Practical advice for this type of installation
-
Allow clearance above doorways and stairwells if you plan to install a wall unit.
-
Choose a compact model , like the Senville AURA, if space is limited.
-
Opt for professional installation : poor tilt or poor drainage can seriously affect performance.
Do you have an HVAC project on the South Shore?
Whether for a condo, a house, a duplex, or a commercial space , we offer turnkey solutions tailored to your needs. Our team of experts is available throughout the South Shore, in Longueuil, Boucherville, Saint-Hubert, Brossard, and more.
Contact AirGreen today for your HVAC installation:
📍 Montreal and Laval: 514-316-2973
📍 South Shore (Boucherville showroom): 514-316-3007
📧 sales@airgreen.ca
The job tools
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.
How the job unfolds
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 we check on a job like this one
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.
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.
Good habits, once the unit is in place
Six simple habits that keep the unit going. Your list stays on this device.
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.
The right pages, at the right time
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.
More jobs to see, near you
By town, by equipment or by region: browse more than 4,700 published projects.
Each dot: a town where AirGreen has published projects. The glowing dot: this job.
An on-site estimate, the right capacity, the right equipment.
The on-site estimate is free and the quote follows within 24 hours.
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).