A Heatwave That Puts the HVAC Network to the Test Across Montréal and Both Shores
When temperatures approach 40°C with the humidex in Montréal, Laval, or Longueuil, even a slight breeze of cool air becomes a vital necessity. For our teams at AirGreen, these extreme days are not just about comfort — they’re a race against time to ensure uninterrupted HVAC services for both residential and commercial clients in the region. Here’s a look back at an intense day right in the heart of the North Shore and South Shore, where every emergency call highlights the critical need for reliable and well-maintained HVAC systems.
Start of Day: First Call at 6:47 AM, Complete Breakdown in Longueuil
Just after sunrise, our dispatch receives a priority alert from a residential customer in Longueuil: their wall-mounted heat pump is no longer blowing cold air. In a poorly ventilated brick house, indoor temperatures had already passed 30°C. Our senior technician, Maxime, heads to the site immediately.
On-Site Diagnosis: the outdoor condenser of a Gree Lomo 18,000 BTU, installed four years ago, was completely clogged with leaves and dust. The fan was overheating, triggering an automatic safety shutoff.
AirGreen’s Solution:
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Full high-pressure cleaning of the condenser.
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Refrigerant level check (R-410A).
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Recalibration of the Inverter start-up parameters.
Result: the unit restarted instantly, and the indoor temperature dropped back to 24°C in less than 45 minutes.
Mid-Morning: Commercial Emergency in Laval – Office Overheating
At 9:30 AM, the owner of a shared office space in Laval calls us: his Goodman 5 Ton central air conditioner won’t start, and 14 tenants are about to cancel their workday.
Deployed Team: Samuel and Karine, our expert pair in central units, discover a compressor failure. The system, from 2012, was running on R-22, a refrigerant now banned in Québec.
Client Options:
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Temporary repair (not recommended).
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Immediate replacement with a MIDEA EVOX G3 | 5 Ton Central Heat Pump | R-454B, in stock at our Boucherville warehouse.
Response Time:
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Old unit removal: 1.5 hours.
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Full installation with new anti-vibration base, electrical connection, vacuuming, leak test, and calibration: 4 hours 45 minutes.
Immediate Benefits:
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30% energy efficiency improvement.
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Eligibility for a $2,345 LogisVert grant.
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6 dB noise reduction.
Suffocating Afternoon: Emergency at a Daycare in Montréal-Nord
Around 1:15 PM, we receive a distress call from a certified family daycare in Montréal-Nord. Children are showing signs of fatigue and headaches: the HVAC ventilation isn’t working.
Quick On-Site Assessment:
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The HRV air exchanger had been off for several days.
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The HEPA filter was completely saturated, blocking fresh air circulation.
Immediate Action:
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HEPA filter replacement.
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Manual reactivation of the control panel.
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CO₂ sensor check to ensure air quality complies with provincial standards.
Impact: Noticeable comfort improvement in less than 15 minutes. The director thanked us for the quick response and signed an annual HVAC maintenance contract to avoid future critical situations.
End of Day in Saint-Eustache: Overheating in a New Condo with a Faulty Heat Pump
At 5:50 PM, our final critical call comes in: a family that had just moved into a new condo in Saint-Eustache reports an indoor temperature of 31°C. Their brand-new Sharp ZU1 12,000 BTU wall unit displays an error code.
Diagnosis:
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The installation was done by a general contractor with no HVAC specialization.
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Refrigerant lines were connected in reverse, causing an incorrect thermal cycle.
AirGreen Intervention:
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Complete reconnection of the refrigerant circuit with line purge.
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New commissioning according to manufacturer specifications.
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Insulation and drain pipe slope inspection.
Conclusion: Functional unit, with a 6°C drop in under an hour. Yet another reminder of the importance of hiring certified HVAC professionals, especially in new constructions.
Lessons Learned from a Scorching Day:
1. Reliable HVAC Starts with the Right Product Selection
At AirGreen, we prioritize proven brands like MIDEA, Gree, Sharp, Goodman, and Fujitsu, all compatible with new eco-friendly refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B.
2. HVAC Maintenance Is a Necessity, Not a Luxury
Every critical situation we resolved could have been prevented with a simple seasonal preventive maintenance. Coil cleaning, filter replacement, pressure testing — all easy steps that extend a heat pump’s life.
3. Our Interventions Are Always People-Centered
Beyond machines, our HVAC emergencies aim to protect the health, comfort, and even productivity of our clients — whether homeowners, business owners, or building managers.
Why Choose AirGreen During Heatwaves?
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Extended availability during heatwaves with teams on-call 7 days a week.
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Rapid response in all Greater Montréal sectors: Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, South Shore, North Shore.
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In-stock equipment at our central warehouse in Boucherville.
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Technicians trained in HVAC emergencies, with real-world experience and certification in eco-refrigerant systems.