Installation of a Zephyr R-32 wall-mounted heat pump in Griffintown (Montreal)
AirGreen installation of a Zephyr R-32 wall-mounted heat pump in Griffintown: discreet integration, short path, gravity drain, and quiet comfort. Ideal for condos in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore, and South Shore.

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.
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.
Four-season comfort in a modern condo with impeccable and quiet integration
In a bright apartment in Griffintown (Le Sud-Ouest, Montréal) , our AirGreen team installed a Zephyr R-32 wall-mounted heat pump designed to provide efficient heating and cooling year-round. The client wanted three things: silence , aesthetic simplicity and performance in extreme cold without sacrificing living space. The result: a compact, discreet and high-performance installation, designed for urban living.
The context: a glass space, a patio door and high comfort requirements
The living room has a large gable wall with a patio door opening onto a terrace. This type of space is pleasant, but imposes HVAC constraints: significant solar gain , air currents near the glazing and rapid temperature variations . We recommend a high-positioned wall unit here, capable of stratifying the air in air conditioning mode and gently circulating in heating mode to limit the cold wall effect near the glazing.
Why Zephyr R-32?
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R-32 refrigerant reduces carbon footprint and improves heat exchange.
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Zephyr wall units feature low interior noise levels , making them ideal for open areas.
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The operating range covers Montreal winter heating , while maintaining very good efficiency in mid-season.
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The remote control and discreet display on the front make daily use easy without disrupting the decor.
Our implementation strategy: performance, silence and aesthetics
Inner head positioning
We mounted the Zephyr head high on the wall adjacent to the patio door. This position:
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clears the air jet along the ceiling, then gently descends to even out the temperature in the living area;
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keeps turbulence away from the seating area;
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minimizes the visual footprint , maintaining clean lines in a modern setting.
Route and drilling
To limit pressure losses and maintain a clean appearance, we planned a short route :
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65 mm through hole with gravity slope for condensate drainage;
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Insulated refrigerant connections and communication wiring grouped under white capping at the start of the unit;
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Airtightness treated with mastic and vapor barrier sleeve to preserve the thermal envelope.
Outdoor condenser
Outside, the condenser is placed on anti-vibration brackets (clear height from the ground for snow), oriented to promote air intake and reduce noise reverberation to the neighborhood. The disconnect switch is installed within easy reach, in accordance with current electrical regulations, and the connection to the panel has a dedicated circuit breaker .
Key technical details of the installation
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Total line length : planned short to optimize EER/SEER and facilitate service;
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Calibrated flared fittings , torque tightened and nitrogen leak tested before deep vacuum drawing;
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Commissioning : vacuum stabilization < 500 microns, control of overheating/undercooling and verification of currents ;
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Condensate management : discreet gravity drain , with flow test in cooling mode;
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Acoustics : silent blocks and verification of structural vibrations on exterior masonry.
Comfort felt and results measured
Upon switching on, the room quickly reaches the setpoint. Zephyr's "i-Feel" mode (temperature sensor on the remote control) allows for adjustment of the temperature to where the customer actually experiences the space. Customer feedback after 48 hours confirms:
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stable temperature near the patio door despite solar gain;
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almost non-existent noise pollution in the living room and dining area;
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immediate reduction in perceived humidity on a mild, damp autumn day.
Energy efficiency and operating costs
A properly sized wall-mounted heat pump can be a great replacement for electric convectors in the mid-season and provides the main heating system in the winter. In this condo:
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We estimate savings of 20 to 35% over the cooling period compared to an old portable air conditioner;
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As additional heating in autumn/winter, the COP greater than 2 in a wide outdoor range significantly reduces the bill compared to 100% resistive electric;
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The R-32 and DC motors promote long cycles at low speed , therefore better comfort and less jerks.
Interior aesthetics: when technology disappears
Griffintown rhymes with refined design . To preserve this spirit:
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No visible trunking on long sections: compact start , clean angle, satin white tint to blend into the wall;
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Channeled power wiring;
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Built-in drain slope to prevent water stains on the clear wall finish;
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Align the unit with the ceiling seal for a clear visual reading.
HVAC Maintenance: Recommended Annual Plan
To guarantee performance over time, we offer an annual maintenance plan :
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Cleaning filters and tangential fan to maintain airflow and interior quality;
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Dusting/antimicrobial of the exchanger;
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Inspection of electrical connections and disconnect switch;
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Drain test (filling and observation of flow);
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Reading pressures/parameters in hot and cold modes, adjustments if required.
This maintenance avoids overconsumption , odors and traces of runoff that can appear in dusty urban environments.
AirGreen Tips for Montreal Condos and Plexes
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Sizing : favor 9k–12k BTU for a standard open condo area; beyond that, modulation may be less optimal.
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Placement : aim for a short connection path (exterior wall nearby) to limit losses and facilitate service.
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Acoustics : Move the condenser away from resonant angles and add high-performance silent blocks .
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Winter : Clear the air intake of snow, especially on sheltered terraces where accumulation is common.
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Solar gain management : combine the use of the heat pump with blinds/curtains to stabilize temperatures near south-facing windows.
Grants and Compliance
High-efficiency R-32 wall-mounted heat pumps are generally eligible for provincial programs when seasonal performance criteria are met. We support our clients in:
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eligibility verification ,
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preparation of supporting documents ,
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and the filing of applications after installation.
Our work is carried out by certified technicians and complies with the requirements of the RBQ and current electrical standards.
Why AirGreen for your HVAC installation in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore?
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Specialists in urban environments (Griffintown, Old Montreal, Verdun, Plateau condos) and plexes with narrow balconies;
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Installation methodology focused on performance, silence and easy service;
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Multi-brand selection (Zephyr, Gree, Fujitsu, Midea, Sharp, etc.) to offer the right machine in the right place ;
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Local after-sales service : maintenance, troubleshooting, optimization of seasonal settings.
Conclusion
This Zephyr R-32 installation in Griffintown illustrates our way of working: precise analysis of the space , careful execution and tangible results in comfort and efficiency. For a similar project in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore or South Shore , our AirGreen experts design a tailor-made solution that respects your architecture, your budget and your expectations for daily comfort.
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.
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 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.
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.
Four mistakes we do not make
Flip each card to see what we do instead.
Your own project, step by step
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.
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.
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.
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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).
