Installation of a FUJITSU AIRSTAGE ORION XLTH+ wall-mounted heat pump in Sainte-Clotilde

The context: a propane-heated home and unforgiving winters

The building is a single-story home with an open ground floor, a south-facing living room, and a kitchen that overheats in summer. The main heating system ran on propane, with bills that climbed every winter, and an older wall-mounted unit from another brand, installed by a third party, was already serving part of the house. The client did not want to throw everything away. They wanted to:

• Reduce propane consumption without demolishing the existing system;
• Properly cool the main living area in summer;
• A system that still heats at -25°C, not a reversible air conditioner that gives up in January;
• Quiet operation, because the primary bedroom faces the same wall as the outdoor unit.

We therefore kept the existing unit, added a new wall-mounted heat pump on an independent elevated support, and redesigned the heat distribution in the main living area.

Why we chose the ORION XLTH+ from the H series

The ORION XLTH+ series belongs to the FUJITSU AIRSTAGE H series, using R-32 refrigerant. Three reasons tipped the balance.

1. Extreme-cold heating, quantified rather than promised

The ORION XLTH+ is certified to heat down to -30 °C (-22 °F), with no shutdown device. The distinction is crucial: several units advertise a low operating range but shut off the compressor below a certain threshold. Here, the unit continues to produce heat.

Here is the actual capacity of the installed model, expressed as a percentage of its rated capacity:

In other words, at -30 °C, the unit still delivers its full rated capacity. This is the kind of data that distinguishes a heat pump designed for Quebec from a unit intended for a temperate climate.

2. R-32 refrigerant

R-32 has a global warming potential of 675, compared with 2,088 for R-410A, representing a 68% reduction. R-32 systems also require a lower refrigerant charge for equivalent or superior heating performance. From both a regulatory perspective and in terms of long-term parts availability, this is the direction the industry is taking.

3. Sound level

The indoor unit reaches 26 dB(A) in quiet mode on the installed model (23 dB(A) on models 09 and 12). The outdoor unit has a low-noise operating mode that can be activated at nightfall. For a bedroom located a few meters from the mounting bracket, this feature makes all the difference.

Sizing: why the 15KTAP1 rather than the 09 or 12

The series is available in three sizes: 09KTAP1, 12KTAP1 and 15KTAP1. We calculated the heating loads for the area to be served, taking into account the insulation, south-facing glazing, and the existing unit already in place. The 15KTAP1 stood out.

Technical specifications for the installed model (indoor unit ASUH15KTAS / outdoor unit AOUH15KTAP1):

• Rated cooling: 14,500 BTU/h (modulation from 3,900 to 19,400 BTU/h)
• Rated heating: 17,400 BTU/h (modulation from 4,500 to 28,000 BTU/h)
• TRÈS2 (SEER2) : 28,7 — Region V CPSC2 (HSPF2) : 10,7 — TRE2 (EER2) : 15,4 — CP (COP) : 4,72
• ENERGY STAR certification (ES, ESCC, ESME)
• Heating range: -30 °C to 24 °C; cooling range: -10 °C to 50 °C
• Power supply 208 to 230 V / 60 Hz / single-phase, 20 A circuit breaker
• Piping: 20 m maximum (factory precharge up to 14.9 m), maximum elevation difference of 14.9 m, 3/8 in. gas lines and 1/4 in. liquid lines
• ProCore coils made of copper with high corrosion resistance
• Basic base pan heater designed for extremely cold climates
• Built-in Wi-Fi with the AIRSTAGE app, BACnet and Modbus compatibility
• Washable indoor filters, six fan speeds plus automatic mode

The modulation range deserves attention. Between 4,500 and 28,000 BTU/h in heating mode, the unit operates at reduced output for most of the season, eliminating short cycling, stabilizing the temperature, and reducing wear on the Inverter compressor. An oversized unit costs more to purchase and heats less effectively.

The jobsite process, in the rain

1. Jobsite protection. An umbrella secured above the work area, tarps over interior surfaces, and a protected access path.
2. Elevated support installation. The outdoor unit rests on an aluminum support with vibration-damping pads at all four contact points. The height is calculated to keep the unit clear of accumulated snow and allow defrost condensate to drain freely. A unit placed directly on the ground in Quebec is a frozen coil come February.
3. Drilling and sleeve installation. Ducts routed with a slope toward the outside, sealed sleeve, and flexible caulking on both sides.
4. Refrigerant connection. Flares made under cover, tightening torques checked with a torque wrench, and continuous insulation along the entire length.
5. Vacuum evacuation and pressure test. The step some contractors rush through. We go below the required threshold, hold the vacuum, then verify stability before opening the valves.
6. Electrical connection on a dedicated circuit, with a properly rated circuit breaker and an accessible disconnect switch.
7. Commissioning and configuration. Testing in cooling and heating modes, pressure readings, Wi-Fi pairing, and a complete demonstration of the backlit remote control and mobile app.

Total duration: one workday, including rain.

Jobsite constraints and our solutions

• Continuous rain. Solution: a mobile shelter over the connection area, with flaring performed under cover.
• An existing unit to be kept. We installed the new mount far enough from the existing unit to prevent air recirculation between the two and ensure the manufacturer-required service clearance.
• A nearby bedroom wall. The vibration-damping mount and the outdoor unit's quiet mode resolved the issue from the moment it was commissioned.
• A nearby propane tank. Regulatory clearances were respected during installation, an aspect too many installers overlook in rural areas.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choose the capacity based on floor area only. A proper load calculation takes insulation, windows, orientation, and existing appliances into account.
• Neglecting the support height. In Montérégie as on the North Shore, the snow depth on the ground determines the minimum height.
• Skipping a proper vacuum procedure. Residual moisture in the circuit slowly destroys the compressor.
• Installing the outdoor unit beneath a roof downspout. Water that freezes on the coil in February can turn an excellent unit into a backup heater.
• Forgetting to maintain the indoor filters. A clogged filter reduces performance long before the customer notices.

Rebates and eligibility

A project like this may qualify for several programs depending on the replaced heating source and the type of building, including Hydro-Québec's LogisVert, Chauffez vert for converting from fossil-fuel heating, and Rénoclimat. Amounts and eligibility criteria are periodically revised by the organizations that administer them. We systematically verify eligibility at the quotation stage and provide the required technical documentation, including performance data sheets and approved model numbers.

Maintenance that protects your investment

Two things customers can do: clean the washable indoor filters every four to six weeks during the season and clear snow from around the outdoor unit. An annual maintenance visit by our technicians completes the job: checking pressures, inspecting electrical connections, cleaning the outdoor coil, checking the condensate drain, and validating the defrost cycle before winter.

Why our customers call us

At AirGreen, we install air conditioning and heating systems throughout Greater Montreal, from Montreal to Laval, from Longueuil to the South Shore and the North Shore, as far as Montérégie municipalities such as Sainte-Clotilde. Our teams are equipped to work in the rain, snow, and confined spaces. We document every project, explain every technical choice, and remain available after commissioning.