A High-Altitude Installation in Oka: SHARP ZU1 18,000 BTU Wall-Mounted Heat Pump by AirGreen
High-altitude installation of a SHARP ZU1 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump in Oka, done despite heavy snowfall. Efficient down to -27 °C, Plasmacluster air purification, $1,704 LogisVert rebate, and aesthetic finish by AirGreen.
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 technical winter intervention on a multi-story residential building
At AirGreen, we’re used to tackling all kinds of technical challenges. But this installation of a SHARP ZU1 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump in Oka truly put both our expertise and equipment to the test. Performed in the heart of winter under tough weather conditions, this project required a boom lift to reach a three-story-high façade. The building, entirely clad in red brick with green wood trim, offered no conventional access points. This type of project perfectly illustrates the versatility of our team, their ability to adapt, and to deliver flawless results even in complex situations.
Features of the SHARP ZU1: performance and reliability down to -27°C
The SHARP ZU1 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump, using R-32 refrigerant, is built to handle Québec’s harshest winters. This model is well-known for its reliable operation down to -27°C, making it especially suited for areas like Oka, where winter temperatures often plummet. Here are some key technical specifications:
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Heating output: up to 21,600 BTU/h
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Output at -27°C: 11,500 BTU/h steady
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SEER: 24
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HSPF (V): 10
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Refrigerant: R-32, low global warming potential (GWP)
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Exclusive Plasmacluster technology: actively purifies indoor air
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Compact design: indoor unit weighs 31 lb (14 kg), outdoor unit 95 lb (43 kg)
This heat pump doesn’t just heat efficiently. Thanks to Plasmacluster technology, it also enhances indoor air quality by eliminating bacteria, viruses, allergens, and odors—a huge benefit for families concerned about respiratory health.
An elevated winter installation: technical challenges and AirGreen’s solutions
The main challenge in this Oka installation was accessing the mounting point, located at a difficult height. In winter, snow, freezing temperatures, and wind can compromise safety and slow down the work. Here’s how we approached it:
Safety first:
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Site assessment beforehand to confirm ground stability for lift use.
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Winter installation with reinforced safety measures (harnesses, thermal clothing, wind monitoring).
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Use of an articulating boom lift to access the upper floor section of the building.
Technical prep:
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Precise drilling through red brick for refrigerant lines.
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Narrow routing of insulated pipes to avoid heat loss.
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Installation of a discreet technical duct, painted red to blend with the building, ensuring a clean aesthetic finish.
Mounting and setup:
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Outdoor unit securely mounted on a reinforced wall bracket at the back of the building.
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Electrical connection and communication with the indoor unit using CSA-certified wiring.
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Start-up tests and configuration of the smart thermostat.
Optimal comfort and energy efficiency: a strategic choice for the homeowner
The homeowner of this property in Oka was looking for an energy-efficient solution to replace an old, inefficient and power-hungry heating system. The SHARP ZU1 offered the perfect balance:
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Consistent indoor comfort, even at -25 °C to -27 °C
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Significant energy savings thanks to its high-efficiency inverter
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Smart control via Wi-Fi, allowing remote adjustments from a phone
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Quiet operation, in both heating and cooling modes
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Eligibility for the LogisVert program by Hydro-Québec (up to $1,704 rebate for this installation)
Why choose AirGreen for complex wall-mounted heat pump installations?
Our customers throughout Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore trust us for many reasons:
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Real-world experience on complex projects like this one in Oka
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Certified technicians, trained on all SHARP, Gree, Fujitsu models and more
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Use of CSA-certified professional materials and full compliance with building codes
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Expertise in handling energy rebates to help maximize your investment
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Ability to work even under difficult weather conditions
Final result: a reliable, clean, and high-performing installation
Just a few hours after arriving on-site—and despite the snowstorm—the SHARP ZU1 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump was fully installed and operational. The homeowner now enjoys:
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Consistent heating comfort
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Purified indoor air thanks to Plasmacluster technology
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A significant drop in heating costs
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A flawless exterior finish, with clean and integrated installation
In conclusion: a high-value installation
This Oka project reflects our commitment to delivering highly specialized HVAC solutions, even in the most demanding conditions. With SHARP and AirGreen, clients gain peace of mind and optimal energy performance. A wall-mounted heat pump like the SHARP ZU1 isn’t just a unit—it’s a smart and long-term investment, backed by top-tier professional service.
The unit on this job, in figures
The range as published on airgreen.ca: pick a size to see its capacity in deep cold.
| Size | Heating at −8 °C | Heating at −15 °C | Coldest certified point | COP at −15 °C | SEER | HSPF | Indicative LogisVert aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp ZU1 12 000 | 14,500 | 12,000 | −27 °C: 7,200 | 2.11 | 22.0 | 11.0 | $1,740 |
| Sharp ZU1 15 000 | 18,100 | 15,300 | −27 °C: 10,100 | 2.1 | 24.0 | 11.0 | $2,172 |
| Sharp ZU1 18 000 | 22,000 | 18,000 | −27 °C: 11,500 | 2.2 | 24.0 | 11.0 | $2,640 |
| Sharp ZU1 24 000 | 22,400 | 19,000 | −27 °C: 12,300 | 2.2 | 22.0 | 11.0 | $2,688 |
According to NEEP, it delivers 14,500 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (14,000 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 7,200 BTU/h, 60% of its nominal 12,000 BTU size.
At 8 °C, its certified maximum capacity reaches 17,100 BTU/h, 42% more than its nominal 12,000 BTU size.
According to NEEP, it delivers 18,100 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (18,000 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 10,100 BTU/h, 67% of its nominal 15,000 BTU size.
At 8 °C, its certified maximum capacity reaches 21,800 BTU/h, 45% more than its nominal 15,000 BTU size.
According to NEEP, it delivers 22,000 BTU/h at −8 °C (17 °F), more than at 8 °C (21,600 BTU/h). It heats as hard in moderate cold as in mild weather.
According to NEEP, its COP at −27 °C is 1.88: the highest of the ZU1 line, which ranges from 1.79 to 1.82 at that temperature.
According to NEEP, its certified maximum capacity at −27 °C (−17 °F) is 11,500 BTU/h, 64% of its nominal 18,000 BTU size.
At −27 °C, its certified minimum capacity is 3,200 BTU/h (5,500 at 8 °C). It slows down instead of cycling on and off.
According to NEEP, its certified heating capacity at −15 °C (5 °F) is 19,000 BTU/h, 79% of its nominal 24,000 BTU size. Its COP there is 2.20.
Data read live from the airgreen.ca page of each size (NEEP / AHRI certified performance). When the title names the installed size, it is highlighted; otherwise the whole range is shown. The aid shown is today’s, using Hydro-Québec’s rule ($120 per 1,000 BTU/h at −8 °C); amounts quoted in the article date from its publication. Only Hydro-Québec confirms the assistance granted.
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.
Baseboards and electric furnaces turn 1 kWh of electricity into 1 kWh of heat. A heat pump delivers more: that is its COP. At Hydro-Québec’s rate D (11.142¢/kWh above 40 kWh a day, since 1 April 2026):
Hydro-Québec: a heat pump can be up to three times more efficient than baseboards for heating in the colder months.
Estimate per kWh of heat, at the chosen temperature, using the certified COP from the product page. Taxes, access charge and backup heat not included.
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.
More jobs to see, near you
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Each dot: a town where AirGreen has published projects. The glowing dot: this job.
Every house has its constraints. We see them before we install.
The on-site estimate is free and the quote follows within 24 hours.
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).