A discreet yet powerful solution for year-round comfort, even on a city balcony
At AirGreen, our mission is simple: to provide reliable, high-performance HVAC solutions tailored perfectly to every residential environment across the Montréal region, including neighborhoods like Montréal-Nord. We recently had the pleasure of completing the installation of a SHARP ZU1 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump on the closed balcony of a modern residential building. This project highlighted both our technical expertise and the unique strengths of the SHARP line, especially the ZU1 model, designed to handle the harshest winters in Québec.
A balcony installation project: challenges and solutions provided by AirGreen
A small space with urban constraints
One of the unique aspects of this installation was its location: a balcony enclosed with windbreaker fabric, limited access, obstacles like exterior metal stairs, and a concrete structural layout. This kind of setting requires meticulous planning: proper ventilation, minimum clearance around the outdoor unit, solid support structure, and occupant safety.
We opted for a wall-mounted support installation reinforced to the floor to ensure maximum stability during winter and to allow optimal drainage. The drainage system was also adapted to prevent ice buildup—especially important in partially sheltered areas like this balcony.
Why choose the SHARP ZU1 12,000 BTU?
A heat pump ideal for compact urban spaces
The SHARP AY-XPC12ZU paired with the AE-X12ZU outdoor unit delivers 12,000 BTU/h of cooling and up to 14,000 BTU/h of heating, with excellent performance even in low temperatures:
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7,200 BTU/h at -27°C, making it a solid choice for the extreme climate of Québec.
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R32 refrigerant: an eco-friendly option with a low global warming potential.
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Plasmacluster technology: purifies indoor air by eliminating bacteria, viruses, allergens, and odors—a major advantage in dense, urban environments.
Outstanding energy performance
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SEER rating of 22 (cooling season) and HSPF up to 11 (heating season), ranking this unit among the most energy-efficient on the market.
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Energy Star certified and eligible for Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert grants, potentially saving homeowners hundreds of dollars depending on their profile.
Key steps of the installation in Montréal-Nord
On-site technical evaluation
Before beginning the installation, our certified technicians performed a full inspection of the balcony area: checked the concrete floor for strength, identified visual and mechanical obstructions, and verified the clearances required by the manufacturer.
Safe, code-compliant installation
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Galvanized steel bracket mounted for corrosion resistance.
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Insulated and sleeved refrigerant lines to prevent performance loss.
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CSA-compliant electrical hookup, with a dedicated breaker.
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Programmed extreme cold weather heating modes and adjusted the airflow direction (manual/auto) according to the interior layout.
Benefits for the Montréal-Nord resident
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Year-round comfort, with stable indoor temperatures even during January’s extreme cold.
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Continuously purified air, thanks to the Plasmacluster function, reducing allergens in dense urban settings.
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Energy savings through a high-efficiency DC inverter compressor that adjusts automatically to real-time needs.
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Smart control with a multifunction remote, airflow direction settings, and voice assistant compatibility with Alexa and Google Home (via the SHARP app).
Why AirGreen remains the top choice for HVAC installations in Montréal and the North Shore
For years, AirGreen has been helping homeowners and condo dwellers in Montréal-Nord, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore with reliable, high-performance, and customized HVAC solutions. This project is another proof of our ability to:
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Work efficiently in complex urban environments
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Select top-of-the-line equipment designed for Québec’s climate
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Deliver a seamless, fast customer experience that fully complies with the highest technical standards
Tips for an optimal wall-mounted heat pump installation on a balcony
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Always ensure natural ventilation on the balcony: an enclosed space without airflow can reduce the outdoor unit’s performance.
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Choose a unit built to operate at very low temperatures (like the SHARP ZU/ZHU models).
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Make sure defrost water can drain freely (adding drainage holes or sloped piping if needed).
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Never cover the outdoor unit in winter: doing so interferes with the auto-defrost process.
