Project

Sharp heat pump installation in Westmount: a durable and high-performance rooftop solution

AirGreen installed a Sharp wall-mounted heat pump on the roof of a Westmount residence, featuring a durable elevated support and a configuration optimized for winter heating. Discover a clean, safe installation perfectly suited to the urban environment.

By AirGreen Climatisation & Chauffage Admin3 min read
Sharp heat pump installation in Westmount: a durable and high-performance rooftop solution
Sharp heat pump installation in Westmount: a durable and high-performance rooftop solution
–chapters in this story
3 minreading time
–type of installation
2026year published
The tour

Take a tour of the installation

Each number is a point we check on site. Switch between summer and winter to watch air and heat move.

Generic diagram: wall-mounted heat pump, indoor and outdoor units

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.

  1. 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.

  2. The refrigerant lines, the communication cable and the drain go through the wall in a single opening, sealed against water, cold air and insects.

  3. Two insulated copper pipes connect the two units. Outside, a line cover can protect them from sun, knocks and weather.

  4. A shut-off switch near the outdoor unit isolates it safely for service. It must stay accessible at all times.

  5. The compressor and the fan. In heating mode it captures heat from the outdoor air, even in winter, and moves it inside.

  6. On the ground or on the wall, it keeps the unit above accumulated snow. The unit stays clear and defrost water can drain away.

  7. The fan needs to blow freely. Storage, a fence or a wall too close, and efficiency drops while noise goes up.

The job

The image provided shows an outdoor installation on the flat roof of a typical residential building in central Montreal, overlooking mid-rise buildings and high urban density. The setting clearly evokes Westmount , a neighbourhood where historic buildings and multi-family dwellings stand alongside newer structures.

After visual analysis of the equipment and respecting the brand provided manually ( Sharp ), we are in the presence of aSharp wall-mounted heat pump , most likely from the Sharp ZU1 range, a model frequently used in residential settings for its robustness, its performance in winter heating and its quiet operation.


A rooftop installation perfectly suited to the urban environment

In the case of this Westmount residence, the optimal solution was to place the external condenser on the roof. With this type of building, several factors come into play:

  • Space optimization : parking lots and backyards are often limited; the roof becomes an ideal area to accommodate an HVAC unit.

  • Noise reduction : Moving the condenser away from windows and outdoor living areas increases the comfort of occupants and neighbors.

  • Safety and longevity : the structure used — an elevated aluminum support fixed on treated beams — protects the condenser against the accumulation of water, snow, ice and vibrations.

In the photo, the Sharp unit is securely mounted on a galvanized steel base , itself stabilized by wooden glides resting on rubber pads that protect the roofing membrane. This configuration meets our AirGreen standards for a durable, stable, and non-invasive installation on existing surfaces.


A high-performance Sharp heat pump for the Quebec climate

Sharp ZU1 systems are known for:

  • Their efficient operation in heating mode even when temperatures drop below −20 °C.

  • Their inverter compression allows for excellent modulation, reduced consumption and consistent comfort.

  • Their reliable performance in both air conditioning and heating for urban dwellings.

In a neighborhood like Westmount — where buildings are often old and sometimes poorly insulated — this technology perfectly meets the needs of residents by offering precise and economical control of indoor temperature.


Meticulous work carried out by our AirGreen teams

For this project, our team ensured:

✔️ Preliminary structural analysis

We have verified the roof's capacity to accommodate the equipment without risk to its membrane or structure.

✔️ A clean and neat installation

All fixings are secure, levels are perfectly adjusted, and contact points are protected to prevent premature wear.

✔️ Secure connection passage

Electrical wiring and refrigerant lines are carefully guided to remain protected from weather and accidental movement.

✔️ Compliance with standards

As with every AirGreen installation, the entire system complies with:

  • The Quebec Building Code ,

  • The requirements of manufacturers,

  • Provincial electrical standards,

  • And best HVAC practices for flat roofs.


An installation that adds comfort, value and efficiency

Thanks to this Sharp heat pump, the homeowner now benefits from:

  • Four-season comfort ,

  • A significant reduction in energy bills ,

  • A discreet, silent system adapted to the constraints of the city center,

  • And an installation ready to face the coldest winters.

We are proud to have contributed to improving the comfort of this Westmount residence with a reliable, high-performance and durable solution.

The steps

The big day, step by step

The main steps of this kind of job at AirGreen. Every house has its quirks: the estimate brings them out.

Step 1 of 9The on-site estimate

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.

  1. 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.
  2. The quoteModel, capacity and price, in writing. We also check whether the model qualifies for assistance programs.
  3. Getting readyFloors and furniture protected, wall plate position marked level, wall opening located.
  4. The wall openingA single opening, with the slope the drain needs to flow outside.
  5. The outdoor unitSet on a stand raised above the snow, with the clearances the manufacturer requires.
  6. Lines, cable and drainConnected, insulated and protected. The opening is then sealed against water, cold air and insects.
  7. The electrical workA dedicated circuit and an accessible disconnect near the outdoor unit.
  8. Tests and start-upLeak test, vacuum, then start-up and a check of heating and cooling.
  9. The walkthroughRemote, modes, filters: we show you the essentials before we leave.
Your numbers

What would it look like at your place?

Two quick checks with real numbers: what heat costs, and what your current heaters add up to in BTU/h.

Size checkYour baseboards, in BTU/h
–BTU/h of installed electric heat

    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.

    Mistakes avoided

    Four mistakes we do not make

    Flip each card to see what we do instead.

    Going further

    Your own project, step by step

    Through the seasons

    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.
    At your place

    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.

    0 / 6 checked
    True or false

    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.

    2. You pick the capacity with a simple square-footage rule.

    3. A multi-zone connects several indoor heads to a single condenser.

    4. The disconnect can sit behind the patio furniture.

    Frequently asked questions

    What people ask us about this kind of work

    12 questions
    Does a wall-mounted heat pump heat in winter?
    Yes, it heats and cools. Its capacity drops in very cold weather; the operating range depends on the model and is listed on its spec sheet.
    Wall-mounted or multi-zone: how do I choose?
    One wall head and one condenser outside: the direct solution for a room or an open area. For two to five rooms, a multi-zone puts one head in each room on a single condenser.
    Where does the outdoor unit go?
    Where it stays above the snow, clear and accessible, away from walkways. We decide it with you during the estimate.
    Are there grants?
    Depending on the model and your situation, assistance programs may apply, including Hydro-Québec's LogisVert. AirGreen checks the model number before quoting an amount. See the grants.
    Do I need a permit?
    Rules vary from city to city: location, distances, noise. See permits and by-laws, and we check for your address.
    How cold can it heat?
    It depends on the model. According to Hydro-Québec, newer models work down to a temperature between −15 °C and −25 °C, and some cold-climate models are certified lower. The minimum temperature is on each unit's spec sheet.
    How much can I save?
    Hydro-Québec says a heat pump can be up to three times more efficient than baseboards for heating in the colder months. The result depends on the house, the climate and how it is used.
    How is the LogisVert assistance calculated?
    For ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified heat pumps, Hydro-Québec lists assistance of $120 per 1,000 BTU/h of heating capacity at −8 °C. AirGreen checks the exact model before quoting an amount; only Hydro-Québec confirms the assistance granted. See the grants.
    Is it noisy?
    The sound level depends on the model and is listed in decibels on each unit's spec sheet. Location matters too: when possible, we avoid putting the outdoor unit under a bedroom window.
    The outdoor unit is covered in ice: is that normal?
    Some frost is: the unit runs defrost cycles. Never hit the ice. If the unit stays iced up or stops heating, call us.
    Does AirGreen hold the required licences?
    Yes. AirGreen holds RBQ licence 5645-9605-01, subclasses 15.8 Ventilation, 15.10 Refrigeration and 16 Electricity.
    Is the estimate free?
    Yes. The on-site estimate is free and the quote follows within 24 hours. Book my free estimate.

    Could this job help a neighbour?

    Share
    Similar projects

    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.

    All our projects

    Your project

    Every house has its constraints. We see them before we install.

    The on-site estimate is free and the quote follows within 24 hours.

    • RBQ licence5645-9605-01 · 15.8, 15.10, 16
    • EstimateOn site, free
    • QuoteWithin 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).

    Leave a comment