Installation of a Sharp ZU1 wall-mounted heat pump on a rooftop in Plateau-Mont-Royal (Montreal)
AirGreen installed a Sharp ZU1 wall-mounted heat pump (ECO Inverter, Plasmacluster) on a flat roof in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood. With its raised mounting bracket, anti-vibration pads, roof protection, and winterization strategy, it's a clean, sustainable, and quiet urban installation.
- City
- Region
- Equipment
- Brand
- Challenges
- Published
The job on one screen
The unit’s data sheet
The range as published on airgreen.ca: pick a size to see its capacity in deep cold.
| Size | Heating at −8 °C | Heating at −15 °C | Coldest certified point | COP at −15 °C | SEER | HSPF | Indicative LogisVert aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp ZU1 12 000 | 14,500 | 12,000 | −27 °C: 7,200 | 2.11 | 22.0 | 11.0 | $1,740 |
| Sharp ZU1 15 000 | 18,100 | 15,300 | −27 °C: 10,100 | 2.1 | 24.0 | 11.0 | $2,172 |
| Sharp ZU1 18 000 | 22,000 | 18,000 | −27 °C: 11,500 | 2.2 | 24.0 | 11.0 | $2,640 |
| Sharp ZU1 24 000 | 22,400 | 19,000 | −27 °C: 12,300 | 2.2 | 22.0 | 11.0 | $2,688 |
According to NEEP, it delivers 14,500 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (14,000 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 7,200 BTU/h, 60% of its nominal 12,000 BTU size.
At 8 °C, its certified maximum capacity reaches 17,100 BTU/h, 42% more than its nominal 12,000 BTU size.
According to NEEP, it delivers 18,100 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (18,000 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 10,100 BTU/h, 67% of its nominal 15,000 BTU size.
At 8 °C, its certified maximum capacity reaches 21,800 BTU/h, 45% more than its nominal 15,000 BTU size.
According to NEEP, it delivers 22,000 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (21,600 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its COP at −27 °C is 1.88: the highest of the ZU1 line, which ranges from 1.79 to 1.82 at that temperature.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 11,500 BTU/h, 64% of its nominal 18,000 BTU size.
At −27 °C, its certified minimum capacity is 3,200 BTU/h (5,500 at 8 °C). It slows down instead of cycling on and off.
According to NEEP, its certified heating capacity at −15 °C (5 °F) is 19,000 BTU/h, 79% of its nominal 24,000 BTU size. Its COP there is 2.20.
Data read live from the airgreen.ca page of each size (NEEP / AHRI certified performance). When the title names the installed size, it is highlighted; otherwise the whole range is shown. The aid shown is today’s, using Hydro-Québec’s rule ($120 per 1,000 BTU/h at −8 °C); amounts quoted in the article date from its publication. Only Hydro-Québec confirms the assistance granted.
The article, chapter by chapter
In Plateau-Mont-Royal , people appreciate the character of the buildings… but when it comes to comfort, they want modern solutions: stable air conditioning in the summer, efficient heating during the shoulder seasons, and a discreet system that respects the neighborhood. In this project completed by AirGreen , we installed aSharp wall-mounted heat pump ( ECO Inverter series, Plasmacluster technology) with a significant constraint: the outdoor unit had to be installed on a flat roof , in the heart of Montreal's urban environment.
This type of installation requires a precise approach: membrane protection, vibration control, cable and connection management, and above all , an anti-snow/anti-ice strategy to get through the Quebec winter without any unpleasant surprises.
The installed system: Sharp wall-mounted heat pump (ECO Inverter) – Sharp ZU1
This is a wall-mounted heat pump (mini-split) : an indoor unit (inside the home) and an outdoor unit (on the roof, visible in the photo). Choosing a Sharp ZU1 is particularly relevant in urban areas because the typical requirements are:
-
a stable temperature (Inverter modulation)
-
quieter operation than an “on-or-nothing” system
-
four-season comfort without cluttering the interior space
-
An added benefit in terms of air quality thanks to Plasmacluster , a signature Sharp feature appreciated in year-round occupied homes.
What the image reveals: a “rooftop” installation designed for Montreal
The photo shows a Sharp outdoor unit installed on:
-
an elevated structure (metal support)
-
beams and distribution bases (to avoid a pressure point on the roof)
-
anti-vibration pads (blue) under the unit
-
a neatly grouped refrigeration and cable routing system, suitable for an exposed environment
We also notice the snow on the roof: this is exactly the type of situation where the installation must be anticipated to avoid burial , ice accumulation, or the recirculation of cold/obstructed air around the device.
Why install the unit on the roof in Plateau-Mont-Royal?
In many typical Plateau buildings (plexes, small apartment buildings, condos), rooftops become a logical solution when:
-
the backyard is small or shared
-
we want to preserve the aesthetics of the facade
-
we want to limit the noise at the ground floor windows
-
We do not have a suitable lateral location (clearances, passageways, proximity)
But “on the roof” doesn’t mean “quickly installed”. The roof is a more demanding environment: wind , cold , frost , snow , thaw cycles , and sometimes more limited access for maintenance.
The key technical points (and what we secure at AirGreen)
1) Membrane protection and load distribution
A flat roof must be treated with respect: there is no question of crushing the membrane or concentrating the load on a small point.
In this project, the foundation is built to:
-
distribute the weight over a larger area
-
limit friction and movement
-
reduce the risks associated with freezing/thawing
2) Vibration and noise management
In dense urban environments, vibrations can be transmitted to the structure and become bothersome, especially at night.
This is where the anti-vibration pads and the rigid mounting of the support make all the difference:
-
less resonance
-
more sound comfort
-
improved mechanical longevity
3) Height and clearances: the “snow and ice” challenge
On the roof, the objective is simple: that the unit remains able to breathe even after a barrage.
Our aim is:
-
sufficient height
-
clearances around the air outlet
-
a positioning that prevents snow from "returning" to the device
4) Connection pathways and durability
The grouping and protection of connections (refrigerant + electrical) are crucial on a roof:
-
UV exposure
-
temperature variations
-
risks of friction or tearing
-
future interview
We favour a clean, stable, and long-lasting approach.
Result: stable comfort, discreet installation, four-season performance
For the customer, the tangible benefits are immediate:
-
Comfortable air conditioning in summer, even during Montreal's heat waves
-
efficient heating during autumn, spring, and a good part of winter
-
Better temperature control (Inverter)
-
A clean and consistent installation in keeping with an urban building
-
Reduction of classic roofing risks: vibrations, snow, membrane, access
Best practices for use (AirGreen tips)
A Sharp wall-mounted heat pump performs best when used “intelligently”:
-
Maintain a stable setpoint rather than drastically increasing/decreasing it.
-
Clean the filters regularly (a small gesture, big impact).
-
After a storm, check that the outdoor unit remains unobstructed .
-
Planning preventative maintenance : it's the best way to maintain performance and avoid surprises.
Why entrust a rooftop installation to AirGreen?
Because a roof doesn't forgive mistakes: an error in support, vibration, clearance or protection can be costly (discomfort, noise, premature wear, or even roofing problems).
At AirGreen , we install with the following in mind:
-
to the climate of Quebec
-
to the urban reality of Montreal (noise, neighborhood, access)
-
to durability (support, cabling, protection)
-
and a clean and professional final result
The job tools
Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.
Baseboards and electric furnaces turn 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. A heat pump delivers more: that is its COP. At Hydro-Québec’s rate D (11.142¢/kWh above 40 kWh a day, since 1 April 2026):
Hydro-Québec: a heat pump can be up to three times more efficient than baseboards for heating in the colder months.
Estimate per kWh of heat, at the chosen temperature, using the certified COP from the product page. Taxes, access charge and backup heat not included.
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).