Installation of a Gree Crossover Wall-Mounted Heat Pump in Westmount, Montreal
A quaint café in Westmount faced cooling woes. Enter AirGreen with the Gree Crossover Heat Pump. Dive into a tale of challenges, triumphs, and top-tier HVAC solutions!
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.
A Tale of Unexpected Challenges and Ultimate Triumph
The Backstory
In the heart of Westmount, Montreal, nestled among the bustling streets, lies a quaint café. This café, known for its aromatic coffee and delightful pastries, recently faced a challenge. Their old cooling machine, once a beacon of relief during the sweltering summers, began to falter. Not only was it failing to provide the much-needed coolness, but its increasing noise was also becoming a concern for the café's ambiance.
When they reached out to AirGreen, they were hoping for a simple solution. A straightforward replacement, perhaps reusing the existing pipes to avoid any major disruptions. But as we soon discovered, things were not as simple as they seemed.
The Installation Journey
Upon our initial inspection, we recommended the Gree Crossover Wall-Mounted Heat Pump. A state-of-the-art machine, boasting a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU and a heating capacity that can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C. This model, with its sleek design and impressive features like WiFi connectivity and Energy Star® certification, was the perfect fit for the café.
However, the real challenge lay in the pipes. At AirGreen, we usually advocate for changing the pipes entirely. In fact, we offer 15 feet of pipes at no extra cost with every installation. But in this case, the café owners were keen on reusing the old ones to avoid any wall disruptions.
On the day of the installation, our diligent technician took the initiative to wash and inspect the old pipes. And it's a good thing they did! The old pipes had micro-cracks, which could have led to freon leaks in the future. Recognizing this, we replaced the old pipes with new ones, ensuring the café's cooling system would be efficient and leak-free.
The Machine's Marvels
The Gree Crossover is not just any heat pump. Here are some of its standout features:
- Cooling and Heating Capacity: With a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU and a heating threshold of -30°C, it's built for extremes.
- Energy Efficiency: Boasting an efficiency of 25.0 SEER, it's designed to save on energy bills.
- Warranty: A comprehensive 10-10-10 warranty (Compressor - Parts - Labor) ensures peace of mind.
- Extended Warranty: An included extended warranty of 10-10-10 further amplifies its value.
- Sound Levels: With an exterior sound pressure level of 52.0 dB(A) and an interior range of 27/43 dB(A), it ensures a quiet operation.
- Eco-friendly: Uses R-410A gas (Freon), keeping environmental concerns in check.
The Outcome
The installation, which was initially perceived to be straightforward, turned into a half-day affair. But our commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction ensured that the café's business went on as usual. The new machine, with its superior performance and aesthetics, now proudly serves the café, ensuring a comfortable environment for its patrons.
The café owners were not just satisfied; they were thrilled. The proactive approach of checking the pipes, the seamless installation, and the top-notch machine all culminated in a job well done.
Grants and Savings
To sweeten the deal, this model is eligible for a Federal Grant of $2,500/$5,000 and a Provincial Grant of $385. This means not only does the café benefit from a superior cooling system, but they also enjoy significant savings.
In Conclusion
At AirGreen, we pride ourselves on delivering quality and ensuring customer satisfaction. This installation in Westmount, Montreal, is a testament to our commitment, expertise, and the trust our customers place in us. Whether it's a simple replacement or a complex installation, we rise to the challenge, ensuring our clients get the best.
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).