Home » Interesting Articles on Wall Mounted Heat Pumps » Wall-Mounted Heat Pump and Power Outages: How to Stay Warm No Matter What (Backup Solutions)
Thermopompe murale et pannes de courant : comment rester au chaud malgré tout (solutions de secours)
Reading time: 5'

Wall-Mounted Heat Pump and Power Outages: How to Stay Warm No Matter What (Backup Solutions)

Staying Warm in Montréal, Laval or Longueuil During an Outage: AirGreen’s Expertise at Your Service

In a typical Québec winter, power outages are unfortunately common—especially during ice storms or heavy snowfall. For homes equipped with a wall-mounted heat pump, this presents a major challenge: how can you maintain thermal comfort without electricity? At AirGreen, we fully understand this concern and offer reliable HVAC backup solutions tailored to the realities of the Greater Montréal climate, including the North Shore and South Shore.

The Issue of Power Outages for Wall-Mounted Heat Pumps

A wall-mounted heat pump runs exclusively on electricity—even the most advanced models like the FUJITSU KZAH R-32 or the Gree Extreme. In the event of an outage, these systems shut down completely, cutting off heating, ventilation, and sometimes even cooling in reverse cycle setups. The risks are real:

  • Rapid drop in indoor temperature

  • Potential freezing of water pipes

  • Discomfort for occupants, especially vulnerable individuals

  • Overload on other heating sources, which may be less safe or less efficient

The Backup Solutions AirGreen Offers to Counter These Interruptions

At AirGreen, we’ve advised and installed solutions for hundreds of residential and commercial clients facing this very situation. Here are the most effective backup solutions we implement across Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore:

1. Installing Backup Generators for Wall-Mounted Heat Pumps

The most direct approach is to connect your wall-mounted heat pump to a backup generator:

  • Portable or standby models

  • Safe connection to the electrical panel

  • Sufficient capacity to run the compressor and indoor units

  • Prioritized circuit selection (heating, fridge, lighting)

In a recent project in Blainville, we installed an 18,000 BTU FUJITSU KZAH wall-mounted heat pump paired with a 10 kW Briggs & Stratton generator featuring an automatic transfer switch. The result: uninterrupted comfort during a 36-hour blackout caused by a storm.

2. Smart Backup Batteries (Storage Systems)

Systems like Tesla Powerwall or LG Chem store electricity and redistribute it during outages. These are especially suitable for homes with efficient energy management.

  • Autonomy of 8 to 24 hours depending on the setup

  • Can power your wall-mounted heat pump, modem, lighting, and small appliances

  • Integrates well with solar panel systems

In Brossard, we recently installed a 24,000 BTU Zephyr wall-mounted heat pump with a Tesla Powerwall backup battery in the basement. During outages, the automated setup keeps the house at 21°C for 10 to 12 hours without user intervention.

3. Convection or Infrared Auxiliary Heaters

Alongside or instead of an electric backup source, an autonomous auxiliary heater can effectively supplement your HVAC system:

  • Oil-filled radiators

  • Indoor-certified propane heaters

  • Modern wood stoves with passive ventilation

While this doesn’t replace a wall-mounted heat pump, it can maintain safe temperatures in one or two rooms.

Planning Ahead: Integrating Backup Solutions During Installation

At AirGreen, we incorporate these backup strategies from the very beginning of your HVAC system installation. We assess:

  • Your property’s insulation

  • Your appliances’ energy consumption

  • Your emergency needs

  • Your preferences (portable vs. automatic, fuel vs. electric, etc.)

For instance, in Longueuil, a customer who had just moved into a century-old home opted for a 12,000 BTU Gree Extreme wall-mounted heat pump paired with a Honda EU7000iS inverter generator mounted on a trailer for maximum flexibility.

Available Grants for Purchasing Backup Equipment

While grants like Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program don’t directly cover generators, they can help reduce the overall cost of your main HVAC system:

  • Up to $2,172 for an energy-efficient 15,000 BTU wall-mounted heat pump

  • Expanded eligibility for primary residences across the South Shore and North Shore

  • Less need for secondary heating in low-consumption homes

Our Practical Recommendations for Staying Warm in Any Situation

Here are our professional tips for maintaining comfort even during a blackout:

  • Install a smart thermostat that restarts automatically

  • Keep interior doors closed to retain heat

  • Temporarily insulate windows (thermal curtains or insulating films)

  • Have a safe, ready-to-use backup heat source on hand

  • Choose a wall-mounted heat pump with an automatic restart function

Why You Can Trust AirGreen

Our team has completed hundreds of wall-mounted heat pump installations in Montréal, Laval, and surrounding areas, each one customized to the client’s specific needs. Our certified technicians advise you on:

  • The best heat pump models for your situation

  • The most reliable backup power options

  • Safe integration with your electrical panel or existing HVAC system

  • Energy optimization for your home with long-term logic

We believe a good HVAC system should go beyond normal performance. It must also respond to the unexpected, ensuring your safety and your family’s, even in the harshest storms.