A discreet yet powerful alternative to radiant floor heating for winter comfort in Montreal
When it comes to choosing an efficient heating system for a home in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore or the South Shore, two options often stand out: radiant floor heating or a floor-mounted heat pump console. While radiant floors are appreciated for their invisibility and even warmth, the floor console offers a reversible heating solution that’s fast, economical, and just as discreet. At AirGreen, we’ve installed dozens of these consoles in all types of homes, and our experience leads us today to shed light on this unexpected comparison.
Understanding how each system works
Radiant floor heating: gentle warmth beneath your feet
Radiant floor heating relies on a network of hydronic pipes or electric cables embedded in the floor, distributing heat evenly across the room. It typically operates at low temperatures, which supports energy efficiency. Highly appreciated for the comfort it brings in rooms like bathrooms or basements, it delivers enveloping warmth without blowing air.
However, installation can be complex, expensive, and invasive, especially in renovations. Once it’s in place, any structural changes require major work.
The floor console: a wall-mounted heat pump… closer to the ground
The floor-mounted console, also known as a low-wall unit, is a compact version of the wall-mounted heat pump. It’s installed at the base of the wall, just above the floor, and allows hot or cool air to circulate at an ideal height. Top-performing models — such as Fujitsu R-32, Mitsubishi Zubadan, or Gree U-Match units — offer high energy efficiency and extremely low consumption.
Unlike radiant floor heating, a floor console can be installed quickly, without altering the building’s structure — even in renovation scenarios. It heats the room fast and also serves as an air conditioner during the summer — a major benefit in our Quebec climate.
Real-life advantages of floor consoles based on our installations in Montreal
Over the years, we’ve installed floor consoles in many different settings — single-family homes, condos, rental units — all across Montreal and surrounding areas. Here are a few key takeaways from our experience:
Quick, non-intrusive installation
Unlike a radiant heating system integrated into the floor, a floor console can be installed in just one day. For example, in Outremont, we recently installed a Fujitsu KRL console in a century-old duplex. No structural modifications were needed. Within just a few hours, the client had a high-performance heating system… and summer cooling, too.
Easy maintenance access
Another client in Vieux-Rosemont came to us with a concern: he wanted a heating system that was easy to maintain. After considering electric radiant flooring, he chose a Bosch Climate 5000 console. Indeed, maintaining a floor console is as easy as a wall-mounted unit: simply clean the filters and have an annual check-up.
Ideal solution for renovations or extensions
In Laval, we equipped a new room added to a bungalow with a Gree U-Crown 12,000 BTU console, as integrating radiant heating would have required raising the entire concrete slab. Choosing the console led to significant time and money savings, while still ensuring optimal comfort.
Technical comparison: floor console vs radiant floor heating
| Criteria | Floor-mounted console | Radiant floor heating |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Simple, quick, non-invasive | Heavy work, especially during renovations |
| Cost | Lower purchase and installation cost | High cost (equipment and labor) |
| Versatility | Heating + air conditioning | Heating only |
| Warm-up time | Very fast (a few minutes) | Slow (high thermal inertia) |
| Maintenance | Easy and accessible | Complex (especially in case of failure) |
| Aesthetics | Compact, visible at bottom of wall | Invisible |
| Comfort | Blown air, fast even heat | Soft, even warmth underfoot |
Available grants in Montreal and surrounding areas
Many floor console models are eligible for Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program, with rebates up to $2,500 for installing an energy-efficient heat pump system. At AirGreen, we assist each client through the application process, to help them maximize their return on investment.
When is a floor console preferable to radiant floor heating?
The choice depends on several factors:
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For renovations, the floor console is often the better choice, as it can be installed without tearing up the existing slab.
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For independent spaces (add-on rooms, basement offices, rental units), it’s a fast, cost-effective, and efficient solution.
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If air conditioning is important, the console easily outperforms radiant heating.
Customer testimonial: a transformed duplex in Saint-Lambert
In a century-old home in Saint-Lambert, a customer wanted to renovate the ground-floor unit for rental purposes. Radiant heating was initially planned, but unforeseen costs related to the concrete slab changed the plan. We proposed a Fujitsu KZAH R-32 15,000 BTU floor console — discreet and reversible. The result: immediate comfort, a 40% saving on project costs, and a new tenant thrilled with the thermal comfort.
Why trust AirGreen with your floor console installation in Montreal?
At AirGreen, we master every aspect of HVAC installation: from equipment selection to long-term maintenance. We work with the top brands (Fujitsu, Bosch, Gree, Mitsubishi), and we guarantee:
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Safe, aesthetic, and high-performance installations
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Expertise based on hundreds of successful projects in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, North Shore and South Shore
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Full support for obtaining government rebates
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Fast and transparent after-sales service
Conclusion: a solution worth serious consideration
The floor-mounted console stands as a credible and advantageous alternative to radiant floor heating, especially for renovations or projects where speed, versatility, and accessibility are essential. At AirGreen, we believe that choosing a system shouldn’t just be about habit, but about the real needs of the building and the lifestyle of its occupants.
If you’re unsure between these two options, contact our team: we’ll assess your space, comfort goals, and budget to offer you the smartest and most sustainable HVAC solution.