An exclusive guide from the field to help you choose the right wall-mounted heat pump in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore
At AirGreen, our daily experience on wall-mounted heat pump job sites throughout Greater Montreal, from the North Shore to the South Shore, puts us in a unique position to assess the true reliability of the brands we install, repair, and maintain. This article aims to share with you—transparently and professionally—our real-life insights, the brands we strongly recommend… and the ones we advise you to steer clear of.
What we actually evaluate in the field
Before ranking these systems, it’s important to understand the objective criteria we use to assess a wall-mounted heat pump:
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Long-term reliability (based on failure rates at 2, 5, and 10 years)
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Warranty return rate
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Cost and availability of replacement parts
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Quality of the manufacturer's technical support
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Sound level
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Actual energy performance (COP/HSPF/SEER)
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Ease of maintenance and cleaning
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Eligibility for grants like Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert
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Customer satisfaction after installation
The most reliable brands based on our experience
1. Fujitsu – KZAH Series (R-32)
Our field rating: 9.5/10
Fujitsu is undoubtedly one of the most solid brands we install regularly in Montreal, Laval, and on the South Shore. The new KZAH series using R-32 refrigerant is both more eco-friendly and more efficient.
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Virtually zero warranty return rate
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Remarkably quiet in both heating and cooling modes
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Excellent cold-climate performance, certified to -26°C
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Very popular in single-family homes and condos in Laval and Longueuil
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Eligible for up to $2,172 in LogisVert grants
Real example: In Boucherville, we installed a 15,000 BTU KZAH in a wood-frame home with cathedral ceilings. Despite challenges with wall placement, the unit maintained stable thermal comfort all winter long, with better-than-expected performance according to the homeowner.
2. Gree – Extrême and Sapphire Series
Our field rating: 9/10
Gree is a fast-growing brand in Quebec, and for good reason: their heat pumps are durable, excellent in extreme cold, and their inverter technology is among the most efficient on the market.
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Outstanding reliability, especially with the Sapphire line
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SEER up to 38 – one of the best ratings available
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Easy for our technicians to maintain
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Compact design, great for smaller spaces
Real example: In Sainte-Julie, on the South Shore, we replaced an old unit with an 18,000 BTU Gree Extrême. The client saw their electric bill drop by 27% after just one winter.
3. Sharp – ZU1 Series
Our field rating: 8.8/10
Lesser-known to the general public, Sharp stands out as a serious alternative for clients looking for a great price-performance ratio. The ZU1 series delivers surprising efficiency and stable comfort during freezing weather.
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Very solid performance for 12,000 to 24,000 BTU units
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Few after-sales service calls
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Often eligible for LogisVert grants
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Quickly available across Greater Montreal
Real example: In Pierrefonds, we installed a 24,000 BTU Sharp ZU1 in an intergenerational home. The unit heats both floors on its own thanks to smart placement. Zero issues reported after two winters.
The brands to avoid (or approach with caution)
1. Cheap online heat pumps (Amazon, big box stores, no local support)
Our field rating: 3/10
These units often lure customers with their low price, but pose major problems: lack of spare parts, no technical support, frequent breakdowns, and ineligible for Hydro-Québec subsidies.
Real example: In Longueuil, a customer installed a unit bought online. We got an emergency call three weeks later for a refrigerant leak. End result: full replacement with a LogisVert-eligible Gree Extrême. The upfront savings were quickly wiped out.
2. Brands sold only by U.S. manufacturers with no local presence
Our field rating: 5/10
These brands may look fine on paper, but without a technical service center in Quebec, handling breakdowns becomes a nightmare. Parts take 3–6 weeks to arrive, warranties are complex, and customer dissatisfaction is common.
Our tips for choosing the right wall-mounted heat pump
Choose a brand with proven local support in Quebec
Stick with trusted brands like Fujitsu, Gree, Sharp, which we install daily across the Montreal region.
Make sure the model qualifies for grants
During every estimate, we check whether the wall-mounted heat pump is eligible for LogisVert. You can often save $1,500 to $2,500 easily.
Have your system installed by a licensed and recognized contractor
Even the best unit fails with poor installation. At AirGreen, every job is done right, with proper outdoor caulking, optimized drain slope, startup tests, and a full walkthrough with the client.
Why choose AirGreen for your HVAC project?
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Over 1,000 successful installations in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore
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Access to the most reliable brands, with local inventory
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Fast, detailed quotes
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Responsive, professional, human after-sales support
Conclusion: The field verdict from the AirGreen experts
Not all wall-mounted heat pumps are created equal. With our real-world experience, we know exactly which brands stand up to Quebec’s climate, and which ones cause more trouble than comfort. Trust our professional insight to help guide your decision toward a long-lasting, energy-efficient, and cost-effective installation.
We invite you to contact us for a free, personalized quote based on your needs, with expert advice on available subsidies and recommended models.