SENVILLE SENA R454B Ceiling Cassette Air Conditioner | 9000 BTU

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• Federal Rebate:
• Provincial Rebate: $
• Energy Star®: Oui
• WiFi: En Option
• AHRI: 215735304
• Efficiency: 22.6 SEER
• Warranty (Compressor - Parts - Labor): 10-10-0
• Additional Warranty (10-10-10): Possible
• Voltage: 220V
• Sound Pressure Level (Outdoor): 55.0 dB(A)
• Gas (Freon): R-454B

A 9,000 BTU ceiling cassette that frees up the walls while providing heating and cooling down to -30 °C

In some rooms, the best place for an air-conditioning unit simply is not on a wall. Large windows, full-height cabinets, a commercial layout, a minimalist office design, or a room where every wall surface is already being used can make a conventional wall-mounted head difficult to integrate. This is precisely the type of project where the SENVILLE SENA R454B 9,000 BTU ceiling cassette air conditioner becomes particularly appealing.

The combination presented by AirGreen pairs the SENA-09HF-OG outdoor unit with the SENA-09HF-ICG indoor cassette, with reference AHRI 215735304. This is not merely an air conditioner: Senville documentation clearly describes the SENA-09HF/IC as a ceiling cassette heat pump capable of both cooling and heating.

At AirGreen Heat Pumps, Air Conditioning & Heating, we consider this format for residential and commercial projects in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, the North Shore, and Montérégie where the goal is to achieve more central air distribution while avoiding a highly visible wall-mounted unit.

The AirGreen specifications sheet lists the following features:

• Rated cooling capacity: 9,000 BTU
• Outdoor unit: SENA-09HF-OG
• Cassette indoor unit: SENA-09HF-ICG
• AHRI: 215735304
• Refrigerant: R-454B
• ENERGY STAR®: yes
• Cold Climate: yes
• SEER2: 22.6
• EER2: 14.0
• HSPF2: 12.1
• Heating down to -30 °C
• WiFi: optional
• Power supply: 220 V
• Piping: 1/4 in – 3/8 in
• MCA: 15 A
• MOP: 15 A
• Dehumidification: approximately 1.86 pt/h
• Indoor sound level: 26 to 42.5 dB(A)
• Outdoor sound level: 55 dB(A)

The manufacturer's documentation confirms 208/230 V single-phase, 60 Hz power, a SEER2 of 22.6, and an EER2 of 14.

Why choose a ceiling cassette rather than a wall-mounted heat pump?

The most important difference concerns air distribution.

A wall-mounted unit generally projects its airflow from one side of the room. A cassette is installed in the ceiling and can distribute air from a much more central position.

This becomes interesting in:

• a large bedroom with little available wall space;
• a professional office;
• a meeting room;
• a retail store;
• a reception area;
• a room with extensive glazing;
• a basement with a suspended ceiling;
• certain additions or renovated spaces.

In our HVAC projects, choosing a cassette is particularly relevant when a wall-mounted unit would require accepting a poor location simply because no other wall is available.

The cassette completely transforms this constraint: the ceiling becomes the main installation area.

A compact cassette measuring just 22.44 in × 22.44 in

The indoor unit measures:

22.44 in × 22.44 in × 9.65 in

and weighs approximately 35.27 lb.

This square format is particularly interesting for installation in certain suspended ceilings or ceilings that allow the unit to be recessed.

However, the visible dimensions do not tell the whole story.

A cassette also requires available space above the ceiling for:

• the unit body;
• the refrigerant connections;
• the drain;
• the wiring;
• future access for servicing.

This is a major difference compared with a wall-mounted head, which is much simpler to install when the ceiling is inaccessible.

The dropped ceiling must be inspected before promising installation.

This is one of the points we check as a priority at AirGreen.

A room may seem ideal for a cassette from the floor, but the space above the ceiling may contain:

• joists;
• ventilation ducts;
• plumbing;
• cables;
• beams;
• structural elements;
• significant insulation.

We must therefore verify that the 22.44-inch square, 9.65-inch-high unit can actually fit without compromising the structure.

In a finished drywall ceiling, preparation may be more complex than in a commercial suspended ceiling.

353 CFM: sufficient airflow for a unit rated at only 9,000 BTU

The brochure lists four indoor airflow rates:

• Turbo: 353.2 CFM
• High speed: 312.0 CFM
• Medium speed: 264.9 CFM
• Low speed: 182.5 CFM

The sound level varies accordingly, from 42.5 dB(A) in Turbo mode to just 26 dB(A) at low speed.

This airflow modulation capability is particularly interesting for a cassette.

When the room needs to be brought back to temperature quickly, the airflow can increase. Once the temperature has stabilized, the system can slow down and become much quieter.

For an office or bedroom, the stated minimum level of 26 dB(A) is a tangible advantage.

A much wider inverter capacity than the 9,000 BTU figure

The unit’s marketed capacity is 9,000 BTU for cooling, but the brochure shows a modulation range of:

3,700 to 13,600 BTU/h in cooling mode.

In heating mode, the rated capacity is 10,000 BTU/h, with a range from:

5,100 to 15,700 BTU/h.

This is one of the most important pieces of information on this specification sheet.

An inverter heat pump does not operate constantly at 9,000 BTU. It adjusts its output according to demand.

In a room that is gradually approaching the desired temperature, the system can reduce its output instead of stopping abruptly and restarting a few minutes later.

This modulation contributes to a more stable temperature and can improve comfort, particularly when the unit is properly sized.

SEER2 22.6 and HSPF2-4 of 12.1

The Senville documentation confirms:

• SEER2: 22.6
• EER2: 14
• HSPF2-4: 12.1
• HSPF2-5: 9.3
• Nominal COP: 4.0.

These values are particularly interesting for a small ceiling cassette that must provide both cooling and heating.

The SEER2 measures seasonal cooling efficiency. The HSPF2 is more useful for comparing seasonal heating performance.

In Quebec, this second figure is particularly important because the heat pump can operate during a large part of the fall, winter, and spring.

At -15 °C, the heating capacity still exceeds 9,000 BTU.

The AirGreen product sheet states:

• 9,700 BTU/h at -8 °C
• 11,000 BTU/h at -15 °C
• 4,200 BTU/h maximum at -30 °C

The stated COP is approximately 2.63 at -8 °C and 1.02 at -30 °C.

These values are very useful for understanding the cassette’s actual performance in winter.

The system can operate down to -30 °C, which is also confirmed by Senville documentation.

But the available capacity changes significantly with temperature.

At -15 °C, the AirGreen specifications still indicate 11,000 BTU/h, which is higher than the 9,000 BTU nominal cooling capacity.

At -30 °C, the maximum capacity drops to approximately 4,200 BTU/h.

Why “operates at -30 °C” never means “full capacity at -30 °C”

This is an important distinction in all our heat pump projects in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the South Shore, and on the North Shore.

A heat pump can continue producing heat at -30 °C without being able to cover all of the room’s heat loss on its own.

If the space loses 8,000 BTU/h during extreme cold and the cassette can provide only about 4,200 BTU/h, a supplementary heating source must cover the gap.

We therefore prefer to analyze:

• capacity at -8 °C;
• capacity at -15 °C;
• capacity at -30 °C;
• the room’s actual heat loss.

This method provides a much more realistic picture than simply stating a minimum temperature on the specifications sheet.

Ceiling installation, drainage, and R-454B: the details that determine whether a cassette will truly be successful

Drainage is even more important with a ceiling cassette.

A cassette produces condensate during cooling and dehumidification.

The brochure indicates moisture extraction of 0.88 liters per hour, which corresponds to approximately 1.86 US pints per hour, consistent with the AirGreen specifications.

Unlike some wall-mounted installations where the drain can simply exit directly outdoors with a natural slope, a cassette is often installed in the center or deeper inside the building.

Careful planning is therefore required:

• the drain route;
• the slope;
• the outlet point;
• accessibility;
• the risk of blockage.

With this type of product, poorly designed drainage can cause ceiling damage long before a refrigerant problem appears.

A typical scenario in which we favor a cassette

Let’s consider a large renovated bedroom with:

• bay window on one wall;
• wardrobe on a second;
• headboard on a third;
• furniture on the fourth.

A wall-mounted head could technically be installed, but no location would provide truly satisfactory air distribution.

A cassette installed closer to the center of the ceiling can then free up the walls and distribute the air more effectively.

In a commercial space, the logic is similar: the unit can be integrated into the ceiling, avoiding the use of wall space reserved for shelves, signs, or displays.

Another situation in which we do not recommend a cassette

The cassette is not automatically superior.

In a home with no accessible space above the ceiling, where opening the drywall would require extensive work, a wall-mounted unit may become much more economical and practical.

We therefore always assess the total installation cost, not just the equipment price.

R-454B and precharge up to 25 feet

The system operates with R-454B.

Senville specifies that it is precharged for piping runs of up to 25 feet and that an installation with a 50-foot set requires additional refrigerant to be added by the installer.

The AirGreen specification sheet indicates piping of:

1/4 in – 3/8 in.

These diameters are particularly useful in a replacement project, but we never assume that old lines can be reused automatically.

We check:

• their diameter;
• their condition;
• their length;
• the old refrigerant;
• the route;
• accessibility.

The cassette often requires more refrigerant-system planning

A wall-mounted unit installed on an exterior wall may allow for a very short refrigerant line run.

A cassette can be installed in the middle of a room.

The actual distance to the outside may therefore be much longer.

We need to plan the conduits before opening the ceiling to avoid creating an unnecessarily complex route.

208/230 V, MCA 15 A, and MOP 15 A

The manufacturer’s documentation states:

• 208/230 V
• single-phase;
• 60 Hz;
• MCA: 15 A
• maximum protection: 15 A
• connection wiring 14/4 AWG.

These data are consistent with the AirGreen specification sheet.

Before installation, however, the electrical supply must be verified based on the equipment actually delivered and the requirements applicable to the job site.

Outdoor unit dimensions and sound level

The outdoor unit measures:

31.69 in × 12.99 in × 21.81 in

and weighs approximately 72.75 lb.

Its stated sound level is 55 dB(A), and its maximum outdoor airflow is approximately 1,471.5 CFM.

For a heat pump of this capacity, the outdoor unit remains relatively compact.

This facilitates certain projects on properties where lateral space is limited.

The outdoor unit’s location should not be chosen solely to reduce piping length

Even at 55 dB(A), we consider:

• windows;
• bedrooms;
• the terrace;
• neighbors;
• property lines;
• snow accumulation;
• service access.

The best location is generally a compromise between acoustics, aesthetics, accessibility, and piping length.

Automatic vertical louvers, manual horizontal louvers

The AirGreen product sheet states:

vertical louvers: automatic

horizontal louvers: manual.

This characteristic must be taken into account during commissioning.

The initial orientation of the outlets should be adjusted to distribute air throughout the room rather than concentrating the airflow in a single direction.

With a cassette, this step can have a significant impact on perceived comfort.

Optional WiFi

WiFi is listed as optional on the AirGreen product sheet.

For some commercial projects, this feature is particularly useful, especially for changing the setpoint remotely or managing operating schedules.

In a residence, it may also be useful when the cassette serves a room used only during certain periods.

We simply recommend confirming this option when requesting a quote rather than assuming it is automatically included.

ENERGY STAR® and Cold Climate

Senville’s documentation clearly presents this cassette as ENERGY STAR® certified and capable of heating down to -30 °C.

The AirGreen product sheet also identifies it as Cold Climate, with reference AHRI 215735304.

This positions the cassette not only as an aesthetically pleasing air-conditioning unit, but as a true heat pump for Quebec’s climate.

Self-diagnostics and leak detection

Senville mentions a self-diagnostic and leak detection system intended to facilitate the identification of certain problems.

This function does not replace HVAC maintenance.

A cassette requires regular attention to, among other things:

• filters;
• heat exchangers;
• air outlets;
• condensate drain;
• pump or drainage system where applicable.

Service access must be planned from the installation stage. A cassette that is perfectly recessed but impossible to service properly quickly becomes a poor choice.

Warranty: a discrepancy to clarify between the AirGreen product sheet and the brochure

The AirGreen product sheet states:

10 years compressor – 10 years parts – 0 years labour

with the possibility of an additional warranty.

The attached Senville documentation instead indicates 10 years on the compressor and 5 years on parts.

The technical table repeats the same 10-year compressor / 5-year parts coverage.

If 10-year parts coverage is offered through a particular program, distributor, or AirGreen registration, this condition should be clearly specified on the quote.

The mistakes we seek to avoid with a ceiling cassette

Choosing a cassette without inspecting the ceiling

Visible dimensions are not enough. Joists and mechanical services above the ceiling may prevent installation.

Installing the cassette without planning the drain

Improper condensate drainage can cause ceiling damage.

Oversizing to “cool faster”

An oversized capacity does not automatically provide better comfort and can impair operation at partial load.

Confusing 9,000 nominal BTU with fixed capacity

The cooling modulation range is from 3,700 to 13,600 BTU/h, while the heating range reaches 5,100 to 15,700 BTU/h.

Forgetting about access for maintenance

A cassette must be serviceable without having to dismantle a large portion of the ceiling.

Why choose AirGreen for a SENVILLE 9,000 BTU cassette

A ceiling cassette requires more coordination than a standard wall-mounted heat pump.

At AirGreen, we assess, among other things:

1. the room’s heating and cooling load;
2. the available ceiling space;
3. the structure;
4. the refrigerant line routing;
5. drainage;
6. electrical supply;
7. the outdoor unit location;
8. air distribution;
9. access for maintenance;
10. WiFi options and controls.

We carry out HVAC projects in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, the North Shore, and Montérégie, in both residential properties and commercial spaces where a ceiling cassette is a more logical solution than a wall-mounted unit.

The SENVILLE SENA R454B 9,000 BTU combines a highly discreet indoor design, a SEER2 of 22.6, an HSPF2-4 of 12.1, inverter modulation, a minimum sound level of 26 dB(A), R-454B, and heating operation down to -30 °C. The manufacturer’s documentation confirms all of these key features.

Contact AirGreen for a quote on the SENVILLE SENA R454B 9,000 BTU ceiling cassette air conditioner, to check whether your ceiling can accommodate this type of unit and to plan a complete HVAC installation in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, or the North Shore.