A winter in Montreal doesn’t go easy on your heating system, especially when it comes to a multizone heat pump. At AirGreen, we know that to fully benefit from your HVAC system’s performance, targeted and smart maintenance is essential. Too often, residents of Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore only notice the first signs of system failure... when it’s already too late. To avoid emergency service calls and maximize your comfort while cutting down on energy bills, we’re sharing six practical winter maintenance tips we apply daily during our professional service calls.
Why winter maintenance is absolutely essential
The Quebec winter means extreme cold, heavy snow, persistent frost, and icy winds. All these elements put serious pressure on multizone systems. Even a high-performance wall-mounted multizone heat pump will see its efficiency drop if it’s not properly maintained. Filters clog faster, outdoor units can freeze up, and heating performance can suffer.
Our technicians, during their visits to residential areas like Outremont, Anjou, Sainte-Dorothée, Longueuil or Saint-Hubert, often notice that simple preventive care could have avoided costly repairs.
Tip 1: Clean or replace the indoor unit filters every month
This is one of the simplest yet most overlooked tasks. In winter, your indoor units run almost non-stop to heat the various zones in your home. Clogged filters restrict warm airflow, force the system to work harder, and reduce energy efficiency. We recommend checking your filters every 30 days.
AirGreen Expert Tip: During a routine maintenance visit in Laval-des-Rapides, we found heavy dust buildup in the living room and bedroom filters. After cleaning, the client’s electricity use dropped by 18% in just one week.
Tip 2: Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and ice
Even the best heat pumps, like the Gree MultiZone, Fujitsu Airstage, or Mitsubishi Zuba Multi models, can underperform if the outdoor unit is buried in snow or blocked by ice. It’s crucial to keep at least 60 cm (2 feet) of clearance around the unit and ensure that no frost forms on the fins.
Real-life installation in Saint-Eustache: For a client equipped with a 36,000 BTU Fujitsu multizone heat pump, we installed a deflector to prevent snow from falling directly from the roof onto the unit. Since then, no more emergency shutdowns.
Tip 3: Run a manual defrost when necessary
Most modern multizone heat pumps include an automatic defrost mode, but in extreme weather, it might not be enough. A manual defrost may be necessary, especially after several days of heavy snow or freezing rain. Ice buildup can block the fans and hinder thermal exchange.
Good to know: During a service call in Longueuil for a client with a 42,000 BTU Mitsubishi multizone, a manual defrost fully restored 100% heating capacity in under 20 minutes.
Tip 4: Pay attention to unusual noises
If you hear metallic sounds, intense vibrations, or scraping noises, don’t ignore them. These are often early signs of a worn motor, a misaligned fan, or a failing defrost cycle. A client in Montreal-North called us in a panic after ignoring squeaking sounds for two weeks. The result: a full compressor replacement, when a simple preventive visit would have solved the issue.
Tip 5: Schedule a professional maintenance visit mid-winter
At AirGreen, we recommend a professional preventive maintenance visit in January or February, right in the heart of winter. This service includes:
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Checking refrigerant pressure levels (R-32, R-410A or R-454B depending on the model)
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Inspecting electronic boards
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Full cleaning of all units
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Defrost cycle analysis
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Performance testing on each indoor zone
Concrete example: In Brossard, a six-unit apartment building equipped with Gree multizone heat pumps saw its annual energy bill drop by 22% after our mid-winter service visit in January.
Tip 6: Use the correct remote settings
In winter, it’s tempting to set every zone to 25°C (77°F). But this can throw off your multizone system’s balance. It’s better to maintain a stable temperature between 20°C and 22°C (68°F–72°F) and to use the fixed heating mode instead of auto. This avoids short cycles and system overload.
Anecdote from Pointe-aux-Trembles: A client was complaining about inconsistent bedroom temperatures, despite a recent Tosot 30,000 BTU multizone installation. After adjusting the remote control settings, we restored uniform comfort without increasing energy consumption.
AirGreen, your trusted partner for multizone heat pump maintenance
We perform installations, maintenance, and repairs of multizone heat pumps every week across Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore. Our expertise, combined with our deep understanding of the Quebec climate, allows us to tailor each service to our clients’ exact needs.
Our technicians are certified to work with all types of refrigerants (R-32, R-410A, R-454B) and are thoroughly trained on units from brands like Fujitsu, Gree, Mitsubishi, Zephyr, Tosot, Lennox, Bosch, and many more.
Key takeaway
Rigorous winter maintenance of your multizone heat pump is the key to staying warm without unpleasant surprises. With the right habits—and the support of an experienced team like AirGreen—you ensure your system’s longevity and top-tier performance, season after season.