Installation of a GREE FreeMatch R32 2-Head Wall-Mounted Heat Pump in Saint-Léonard, Montréal

A 9th-floor condo cooled and heated without drilling through the curtain wall: the project that required the most planning this fall

The client wrote to us in October with a problem we see recurring every year in residential towers in Saint-Léonard: a south-west-facing corner 5½, with a full-height patio door that turns the living room into a greenhouse as early as May, and electric baseboards that cost a fortune from November to March. Two portable air conditioners had been sitting in the living room for three summers. They were noisy, blocked the balcony door with their exhaust hoses, and did absolutely nothing to help in winter.

Our mandate: install a 2-head wall-mounted heat pump capable of heating and cooling, with no visible modifications to the building envelope, no exposed ductwork indoors, and in compliance with the condominium regulations. The selected system was the GREE FreeMatch R32 heat pump, with a GWHD(24)ND6MO 24,000 BTU outdoor unit supplying two wall-mounted heads.

The context: what the building required of us before we even chose the equipment

In a condo, the equipment is not the first thing you choose. The building's constraints dictate everything else. We identified four factors during the initial site visit:

• No drilling through the curtain wall. The condominium declaration prohibits any perforation of the glazed façade. The only possible penetration was through the solid concrete wall adjacent to the patio door.
• A 5-foot-deep balcony. The outdoor unit had to fit without obstructing circulation, resting on the guardrail, or exceeding the slab's allowable load.
• An already heavily loaded 100 A electrical panel. A load calculation in accordance with the Quebec Construction Code, Chapter V – Electricity, was mandatory before promising the client anything.
• No condensate drain on the balcony. Dripping onto the balcony below is a classic source of complaints to the condo board—and, in winter, a source of ice.

These four points immediately eliminated several competing systems. The FreeMatch R32 remained in contention for one specific reason: its smaller footprint and tolerance for longer piping gave us room to maneuver that other multi-zone systems did not offer.

Why the GREE FreeMatch R32 for this particular project

The GWHD(24)ND6MO supports 2 to 3 indoor units connected to a single outdoor unit. This is exactly the format of a typical Montreal condo: an open-concept living area and a primary bedroom, with the option to add a third zone later if the client converts their office.

The technical data that influenced the decision

Three things deserve emphasis here because most buyers misunderstand them.

First, modulation. A nominal capacity of 24,000 BTU/h does not mean the unit operates at 24,000 BTU/h. Thanks to G10 inverter technology, it can ramp down to 7,500 BTU/h. In a condo well insulated by neighboring units on three sides, this low range is what operates 80% of the time. A unit unable to modulate that low would have cycled constantly, created uncomfortable temperature swings, and dehumidified much less effectively.

Second, the HSPF2 rating of 10 and Cold Climate certification. The limiting factor in Montreal is not capacity at -5°C; it is maintaining efficiency at -20°C without defrosting that cuts into output. The FreeMatch's smart defrost activates based on actual measured conditions rather than at fixed intervals.

Third, R32 refrigerant. Its global warming potential is approximately three times lower than R410A's, and its energy density allows for a smaller charge for the same capacity. Since R32 is classified as A2L (mildly flammable), GREE includes a leak detection sensor in the system as standard. This detail reassured the condo association, and it is becoming increasingly important as Quebec's HVAC industry transitions to low-GWP refrigerants.

The selected configuration: 12,000 BTU in the living room, 9,000 BTU in the bedroom

We performed a room-by-room load calculation rather than using a square-footage rule of thumb. Result:

• 12,000 BTU wall-mounted unit in the living room and kitchen, installed high on the solid wall, just above the patio door, with airflow directed toward the center of the open-plan area.
• 9,000 BTU wall-mounted unit in the primary bedroom, on the partition wall, outside the direct airflow path above the bed.

The position of the living-room wall-mounted unit, visible in our jobsite photos, was not incidental. By placing it above the glazed opening, we directly intercept solar gain and the cold downdraft from the patio door in winter. It was the only wall location that also allowed a short run to the balcony — less than 400 mm of uninsulated piping outdoors, and no decorative duct cover indoors.

The installation process

The entire job was completed in one day by two technicians.

1. Site protection and electrical verification. Drop cloths on the floor, continuous HEPA vacuuming, confirmation of available panel capacity, and installation of a dedicated 25 A circuit with a disconnect at the balcony.
2. Single penetration. One 3-inch core-drilled opening through the concrete slab, sloping downward toward the exterior for gravity drainage, then sealed with firestop and expanding foam.
3. Installation of vibration-isolation supports. Raised base on the balcony slab with rubber pads, 300 mm of clearance behind it for heat-exchanger intake, and sufficient height for accumulated snow.
4. Refrigerant piping. 1/4-inch (liquid) and 3/8-inch (gas) lines, cold-bent, insulated along their entire length, and connected using torque-wrench tightening.
5. Evacuation. Vacuum pump evacuation to below 500 microns, with a 30-minute standing test using an electronic micron gauge. This is the step we most often see rushed on installations we take over. A trace of moisture in an R32 circuit eventually turns into acid and a dead compressor before the warranty expires.
6. Commissioning. Reading pressures, superheat, and subcooling; checking actual amperage; running the FreeMatch electronic self-diagnostic; testing in heating and cooling modes; then training the client on the remote control and programming.

The challenges specific to the condominium, and how we resolved them

The condensate

There was no drain available on the balcony. We routed the condensate to the balcony's stormwater drain line, with continuous slope, no low point, and no improvised trap. During heating mode, condensate comes from the outdoor unit during defrost cycles: a self-regulating heating cable in the defrost pan prevents ice from forming at the base of the unit. It costs a few dozen dollars and eliminates virtually all winter service calls related to ice accumulation.

Vibrations transmitted to the structure

A balcony slab transmits low frequencies to neighboring units remarkably well. Vibration-isolation pads, an expansion loop in the refrigerant line, and floating mounting for the disconnect switch: the unit, measured at 58 dB(A) at peak, remains inaudible in the condo below with the door closed.

Approval from the condominium association

We provided the client with a complete file before the work began: the GWHD(24)ND6MO technical data sheet, exact weight (51 kg), a dimensioned installation plan for the balcony, certified sound level, proof of RBQ licence, and proof of liability insurance. The file was approved on the first submission. This is the fastest way to move a condominium project forward: anticipate the board's questions rather than answering them after a rejection.

What this Saint-Léonard project can help you avoid

The five most costly mistakes when installing a multi-zone system

• Oversizing “to be sure.” An oversized multi-zone system modulates poorly, short-cycles, dehumidifies poorly, and costs more to purchase and operate. Load calculations are not an administrative formality.
• Distributing the indoor units without considering the system's minimum capacity. If only one indoor unit operates during the shoulder season, the outdoor unit must be able to ramp down low enough. This is the structural weakness of many inexpensive multi-zone systems.
• Neglecting the piping length. The FreeMatch 24,000 BTU is pre-charged for 30 m and accepts 60 m in total, with 20 g of additional refrigerant per metre beyond that. An unadjusted charge means reduced performance without an error message to warn you.
• Installing the wall-mounted unit too low. Warm air stratifies. A wall-mounted unit installed at eye level heats the ceiling and leaves your feet cold.
• Choosing the installer based on price alone. The technician must hold an RBQ licence and a halocarbon handling certification. With an A2L appliance, this is non-negotiable.

Rebates and eligibility

The FreeMatch R32 is certified ENERGY STAR Cold Climate and approved by AHRI, the two entry criteria for most financial assistance programs in Quebec. Actual eligibility nevertheless depends on the heating system being replaced, the type of building, and the program in effect when the application is submitted — the conditions applicable to condominiums often differ from those for single-family homes. We verify each project's eligibility before signing and provide the documentation required for the application. We never promise an amount before this verification.

Maintenance that protects the 10+2-year warranty

• Clean the filters every 4 to 6 weeks during intensive use.
• Annual cleaning of the indoor coil and condensate pan.
• Clear the outdoor unit before every winter and after heavy snowfalls.
• Professional annual maintenance including a record of pressures and electrical parameters. This is also a condition that must be met to preserve full compressor coverage.

Our coverage for this type of project

At AirGreen, we carry out this type of HVAC installation every week in high-rises and duplexes in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore (Terrebonne, Blainville, Repentigny, Saint-Eustache), and the South Shore (Brossard, Saint-Hubert, Boucherville, Châteauguay). Condominium projects — Saint-Léonard, Anjou, Villeray, Griffintown — represent a growing share of our workload, and they are the ones that require the most document preparation before the first wrench is picked up.

For a multi-zone wall-mounted heat pump project, we systematically conduct a technical visit, load calculation, electrical inspection, and condominium board submission if applicable. The quote provided is final: it includes the support, drainage, dedicated circuit, firestop sealing, commissioning, and training.

Write to us at sales@airgreen.ca for an assessment of your condo, duplex, or house. We will tell you honestly whether a 2-head system is the right choice for your configuration, or whether another format would serve you better.