Carefully integrated into a brick and concrete loft for four-season comfort
In the heart of Southwest Montreal , in a loft with an industrial feel marked by a concrete ceiling , exposed brick walls and geometric light fixtures, our team installed a Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump – residential wall series . The challenge was to preserve the interior aesthetics while ensuring optimal performance and simplified long-term HVAC maintenance .
Site profile and initial constraints
The main space of the accommodation presents:
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a full-height load- bearing brick wall ;
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a concrete slab ceiling with hanging lights;
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an open living area, where the air circulation must remain uniform without direct drafts onto the dining area.
These characteristics require rigorous design of the HVAC installation : suitable installation height, controlled drilling in the brick, management of the condensate drain by gravity , and ultra-short refrigerant path to limit pressure losses and maximize the efficiency of the heat pump .
Choice of positioning: efficiency and design
We fixed the Zephyr interior head at the top , a few centimeters below the ceiling, on a section of brick free of weakened joints. This positioning:
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promotes air circulation throughout the entire living room;
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avoids direct impact on users, while taking advantage of natural thermal stratification ;
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respects the clearances from the luminaires and the air return, in order to avoid disturbances in sensor readings and local turbulence .
A fixing plate was anchored to the masonry and then checked for level to ensure reliable gravity drainage to the exterior.
Drilling, connections and finishing: clean, short, durable
In order to maintain the authenticity of the wall while ensuring performance:
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we made a hole through the brick, with a protective sleeve , ensuring a slope of 1 to 2% towards the outside for the condensate drain ;
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the refrigerant lines are continuously insulated , without discontinuities at the friction points;
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communication cabling and power supply follow the same route, covered on the outside for a clean finish and UV protection ;
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The interior filling was carried out with repair mortar around the sheath, guaranteeing airtightness and preventing whistling in windy conditions.
The short path to the outdoor condenser (installed on a protected rear wall/balcony) reduces pressure losses and improves effective heating and cooling capacity .
Configuration and commissioning: precision and control
After mechanical installation, we apply our commissioning protocol:
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Nitrogen leak test then deep vacuum until stable absolute pressure is reached.
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Electrical check : torque tightening, polarities, dedicated circuit breaker and proximity switch on the outside.
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Reading temperatures and superheat/subcooling in cooling and heating modes.
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Fine adjustment : ventilation speeds adapted to the loft acoustics, automatic orientation of the shutters for a wide sweep and uniform perceived comfort.
Feedback to the interior head-up display facilitates daily use and setpoint monitoring .
Acoustic management in a reverberant loft
Hard surfaces (brick and concrete) can reverberate sound. We have:
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set the blowing speed for a contained noise level in the evening;
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validated the anti-vibration base of the outdoor unit and the passage of the lines on the wall to prevent structural transmissions ;
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recommended time slots and auto modes adapted to the occupants' lifestyle.
Result: controlled sound ambiance , even during winter defrosting cycles.
Performance and comfort: what the Zephyr brings to everyday life
The Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump offers:
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modulating heating by inverter compressor, limiting temperature variations;
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precise cooling with progressive ventilation, useful in open rooms;
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easily accessible filters for quick maintenance ;
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defrosting and automatic restart modes ensuring safe winter operation.
On a mixed brick/concrete envelope, the device takes advantage of thermal inertia : fewer short cycles, more stability , which results in controlled consumption .
Security, maintenance and sustainability
To ensure the longevity of the system:
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the drain slope and the flow sill were checked;
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the connections are mechanically protected at the crossing points;
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all flared fittings were tightened to the manufacturer's torque;
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an installation log summarizes pressures, temperatures and intensities upon delivery.
We recommend annual HVAC maintenance : cleaning filters, checking heat exchange , inspecting the drain , tightening electrical connections and updating efficiency parameters .
Tips for Using Brick Lofts in Montreal
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Installation height : aim for the upper part of the wall to maximize sweeping and avoid direct blowing onto seating areas.
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Furniture and lighting : maintain clearances in front of the air outlet; avoid blinds and shelves immediately below the unit.
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Instructions : For heating, 21–22°C continuously reduces short cycles and peak demand; for air conditioning, favor 24–25°C with dehumidification mode on hot and humid days.
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Filters : vacuum or wash every 2–3 months during the usage season to maintain performance .
What to avoid — and what we did
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Multiple holes in the brick: a single, clean, sheathed and sealed hole limits air and odor infiltration.
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Return air disturbed by lighting : positioning and orientation of the shutters avoid areas of air shadow .
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Uncertain drain : slope checked and flow test with clear water before closing the site.
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Exposed unprotected wiring : covered finish on the exterior side and tidy passage on the interior side.
Technical summary of the installation
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Brand: Zephyr
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Series: Residential wall-mounted (indoor head with digital display)
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Type: single-zone wall-mounted heat pump
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Location: The Southwest , Montreal
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Interior support: plate anchored to brick, fixed at the level
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Refrigerated path: direct wall crossing , insulated connections, short length
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Condensates: gravity drain via controlled slope drilling
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Power/Control: Dedicated circuit breaker, communication verified
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Customer objective: 4-season comfort, reduced consumption , preserved aesthetics
AirGreen: expertise in Montreal plexes and lofts
We are experts in Montreal's building types —plexes, condos, lofts—and their constraints: masonry, concrete ceilings, architectural clearances, balcony access, close neighborhoods. Each HVAC installation is designed to perform well in extreme cold , minimize noise , and simplify maintenance .
Our team operates in Montreal , Laval , Longueuil , on the North Shore and the South Shore , with the same level of requirement.