Optimal comfort in a compact urban home thanks to a well-designed wall-mounted solution
In densely populated urban areas like Montréal, Laval, or Longueuil, apartments make up a large portion of the residential landscape. With increasingly extreme summer temperatures and growing energy awareness, many property owners wonder if it’s truly possible to cool an entire apartment efficiently with a single wall-mounted heat pump. At AirGreen, this is a question we hear frequently during service calls—especially in condos or small to mid-sized units.
So we’ve decided to tackle this topic in full, sharing both our on-the-ground expertise, technical insights, and real-world examples of successful HVAC installations across the North Shore, South Shore, and the heart of Montréal Island.
Understanding how a wall-mounted heat pump works
Before evaluating whether a wall-mounted heat pump can cool an entire apartment, it’s essential to understand what it actually does.
Wall-mounted heat pumps, also known as mini-splits, provide both heating and cooling for indoor spaces. In the winter, they extract heat from outside (even in cold weather) and bring it in. In summer, they remove heat from the interior and release it outdoors to cool your space.
This ductless system is particularly well-suited for homes without centralized ventilation systems, which is often the case in apartments.
How much space can a single wall-mounted unit cover?
This is the first technical question to ask. The answer depends on several factors:
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The BTU capacity of the installed unit
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The layout of the apartment (open-concept vs compartmentalized)
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The building’s insulation
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The apartment’s orientation (sun exposure)
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Ceiling height
Generally speaking, a 12,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump can efficiently cool an open space of about 500 to 600 sq ft, while a 18,000 BTU model can cover up to 900 sq ft, provided the conditions are favorable. At AirGreen, we’ve even installed 24,000 BTU units capable of maintaining consistent temperatures in open-concept spaces exceeding 1,000 sq ft.
Real-life examples: AirGreen installations in Montréal and the South Shore
Project 1: 4 ½ apartment in Brossard
A client contacted us to cool a 850 sq ft unit with an open-concept living room, kitchen, and dining room, along with two closed bedrooms.
AirGreen solution:
Installation of a Gree Sapphire 18,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump, positioned strategically in the central part of the open space.
Result: Uniform temperature in the common areas. The open doors allowed some airflow to the bedrooms, but the client later chose to add wall-mounted air transfer fans to maximize circulation.
Project 2: Downtown Montréal condo
A 650 sq ft condo, fully open-concept, with large windows facing southwest. The owner wanted a discreet, energy-efficient, and quiet system.
AirGreen solution:
Installation of a Fujitsu KZAH R-32 12,000 BTU, a very quiet, highly efficient model with a SEER rating over 25.
Result: Quick, stable, and even cooling throughout the entire space. The unit also significantly reduced winter heating costs.
The limits of a single wall-mounted unit
While efficient, wall-mounted heat pumps do have physical reach limitations. Airflow doesn’t easily bend around corners or travel through walls. Therefore:
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Closed rooms will receive less cool air.
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Long hallways can block airflow.
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Closed doors almost completely prevent the heat pump from affecting those rooms.
That’s why in certain cases, we recommend considering:
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Adding wall-mounted air transfer fans
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Installing two wall-mounted units in key areas
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Opting for a multi-zone system with multiple heads
Practical optimization tips
At AirGreen, we always guide our clients with best practices to get the most out of their wall-mounted heat pump:
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Keep doors open as much as possible
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Install the unit at an optimal height, with no obstructions
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Clean filters regularly
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Schedule annual professional maintenance
Grant eligibility
Purchasing and installing an efficient wall-mounted heat pump may make you eligible for government grants, especially through Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program. For example:
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Fujitsu KZAH, Gree Sapphire, or Sharp ZU1: several of our installations are eligible for grants ranging from $1,700 to over $2,000, depending on capacity and energy efficiency.
We also handle the eligibility analysis and document submission for our clients to simplify the entire process.
Why choose AirGreen for your HVAC installation?
We are specialists in HVAC in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, with dozens of wall-mounted installations completed every month. What sets us apart:
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A free on-site technical assessment
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A selection of proven and trusted brands
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Fast, clean, professional installation
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A team ready for annual maintenance and repairs
Every project is unique, and we take the time to truly understand your needs to offer a durable, quiet, and high-performance solution.
Conclusion: is it enough for an entire apartment?
Yes, a single wall-mounted heat pump can be enough to cool an entire apartment as long as the space is well-designed, the unit properly sized, and the placement optimized.
For more complex layouts, AirGreen will guide you to adapt the solution with professionalism and precision, always with one clear goal: your long-term comfort, year-round.