A high-rise, discreet and calibrated assembly for the urban fabric of the Plateau
At AirGreen , we have just completed the installation of a Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump (residential wall-mounted series) on the rear facade of a plex in Plateau-Mont-Royal . Here, the narrow alleys, red brick walls and shared courtyards impose precise technical choices: limit the footprint, preserve clearances and ensure reliable air circulation despite the built density. We therefore opted for a high-level installation on brackets with anti-vibration pads , a solution that frees up space, protects the equipment from winter snow drifts and reduces the transmission of vibrations to the masonry.
Why a Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump for this plex?
The Zephyr wall-mounted range meets the typical needs of a Montreal home: efficient heating at low temperatures , stable air conditioning during heat waves , precise control thanks to inverter technology and contained noise level . For this project, the owner's objective is clear: stabilize comfort over two demanding seasons (long winter, humid summer), lower the energy bill and avoid noisy appliances that disturb the interior courtyard. The selected Zephyr ticks these boxes, while offering simple maintenance and parts readily available in Greater Montreal.
Site Reading and Preparation: The Key to a Sustainable Installation
Before any fixing, our team always carries out three checks:
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Structure and anchoring. The solid brick of the rear wall offers excellent strength, but requires suitable mechanical anchors and local grouting to ensure watertightness after drilling. The galvanized steel brackets are sized for the unit's load and shear. We add anti-vibration pads (visible under the base) to mechanically decouple the unit from the facade.
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Air clearances. A condenser needs room to breathe. The chosen location provides a free plenum at the front and sides , away from metal downspouts and vertical obstacles. This margin limits hot air recirculation in heating mode, preserving the efficiency and life of the compressor.
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Condensate and winter management. In air conditioning mode, water must drain without staining the brick or dripping into the circulation area. Here, gravity drainage is preferred. In winter, installing it at a height prevents snow from accumulating around the casing and facilitates defrosting .
Route of connections: short, protected, aesthetic
The refrigeration path follows a UV chute along the most direct line to the interior, minimizing pressure losses and simplifying maintenance. We radius the curves to the large radius to preserve the integrity of the insulated copper connections, and cap all outlets to prevent moisture infiltration during the work. In terms of waterproofing, the through-hole is sealed with a masonry-compatible mastic ; on the exterior, the finish is flush so that the chute integrates with the brickwork.
Vacuuming, testing and commissioning
Each AirGreen HVAC installation follows the same metrological sequence:
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Brazing under nitrogen (if necessary) and visual inspection of the fittings.
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Deep vacuum to the recommended threshold to ensure the absence of moisture in the circuit.
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Leak test and vacuum stabilization, followed by microleak testing of the sniffed connections.
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Power up with checking of the circuit breaker rating and wiring gauge prescribed by the manufacturer.
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Reading temperatures and pressures in cooling and heating modes to check superheat and subcooling within tolerances.
This protocol guarantees nominal efficiency and avoids performance losses often due to residual humidity or an unbalanced charger.
Acoustic management: immediate neighbor, peace and quiet preserved
On the rear facades of the Plateau, promiscuity is the rule. To limit vibration transmission , we combine:
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Anti-vibration pads under the chassis,
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Solid brackets tightened to the torque,
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Flexible routing of the connections to prevent them from serving as a vibration bridge.
Result: in cruising operation, the sound signature remains within a comfortable range for the neighbors on the landing and the adjoining courtyard.
Montreal winter: prevent, protect, optimize
In heating mode, a wall-mounted heat pump must combat cold winds, drifting snow, and frost. Our high-rise installation:
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maintains minimal clearance under the base to drain defrost water;
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keeps the casing away from snow drifts and projections from the roof;
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facilitates secure access for seasonal maintenance.
When required by the environment (high discharge roofs, venturi corridors), we can add deflectors or snow guards . Here, the sheltered configuration of the backyard and the height of the brackets make these accessories unnecessary.
Interior: selection and positioning of the wall head
Although the photo is of the outdoor unit, the result depends largely on the interior positioning. In this home, we positioned the wall-mounted head to circulate the main air without blowing directly onto the sleeping area. The clearance around the intake and exhaust air ensures correct temperature readings by the sensor and limits short cycles. The controls are given to the customer with seasonal presets (economical heating, progressive cooling, dehumidification mode).
What the customer gains, concretely
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Four-season comfort : continuous heat in winter and coolness in summer, with gentle variations thanks to the inverter.
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Energy savings : compared to electric heaters and portable air conditioners, the heat pump reduces annual consumption while stabilizing humidity.
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Silence : the installation and anti-vibration accessories preserve the tranquility of the courtyard.
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Reliability : installation tested, pressurized and evacuated according to the rules of the art, for increased longevity.
Grants and eligibility: how to find your way around
Several high-performance wall-mounted models in cold climates may be eligible for assistance in Quebec (provincial and municipal programs), depending on the capacity , seasonal coefficients and low-temperature operating range . Our team supports each owner to verify the eligibility of the chosen configuration and assemble the necessary documents (proof of installation, technical characteristics, serial numbers). This approach optimizes the net cost of the project for residents of Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore .
HVAC Maintenance: Ensuring Performance Year After Year
A wall-mounted heat pump performs at its best if a maintenance plan is followed:
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Annual cleaning of the indoor unit (filters, evaporator, condensate tray) to preserve air flow and air quality.
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Inspection of the outdoor unit : clearances, condition of the fins, tightness of the connections, check of the buffers and the chute .
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Functional check before winter: defrosting tests, reading of service parameters if necessary.
AirGreen offers maintenance contracts tailored to plexes and condominiums, with quick time slots during peak periods.
What to Avoid When Installing on Brick
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Undersize anchors : Brick requires specific anchors and clean drilling to avoid bursting.
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Neglecting clearances : a confined condenser recycles its air and loses efficiency, especially in heating.
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Ignoring the drainage : a poorly designed drain ends up marking the masonry or freezing in winter.
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Radii too tight on the connections: this weakens the copper and creates pressure losses.
Timeframe and schedule: a well-planned day
This type of HVAC installation on brackets is generally carried out in one day :
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Morning : surface protection, drilling, installation of brackets, routing of connections.
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Afternoon : soldering/crimping, vacuum drawing, testing, electrical connection, start-up, customer training .
We leave a clean site, a neat facade and a calibrated system.
AirGreen at Plateau: local expertise, meticulous finishes
The Plateau requires a balance between performance and aesthetics . Here, the Zephyr unit fits naturally into the brickwork, the chute follows a discreet line, and the brackets keep the unit out of reach of projections. It is the sum of these attentions—structure, acoustics, clearances, waterproofing—that makes an installation durable .
In short : a Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump installed with high brackets , anti-vibration pads , short and protected routing , rigorous vacuuming and start-up calibrations . An installation that respects the masonry of the Plateau-Mont-Royal , protects the neighborhood from nuisances and provides stable comfort all year round.