2-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE DLCMHB | 36,000 BTU - R410A

Two large spaces heated, with full capacity maintained at -15 °C

When a house divides into two large volumes, such as an open ground floor and a finished basement, two well-chosen wall heads do the work of a whole row of baseboards. The 2-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE DLCMHB | 36,000 BTU - R410A feeds them from a single DLCMHBH36DAK condenser, whose certified capacity does not weaken when the thermometer drops to -15 °C.

This 3-ton condenser serves 2 zones here and accepts up to 4 at most. The wall heads intended for it are the DLFSHCH09XAK, the DLFSHCH12XAK and the DLFSHCH18XAK. Its certified ratings are 20.0 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 9.7 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 2411692, and it qualifies for a $4,200 LogisVert grant.

What the certificate shows at -8 °C and -15 °C

The certificate lists 35,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F), with a COP of 2.35, and 36,000 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), with a COP of 1.90. The maximum published capacity is 36,000 BTU/h at -15 °C, at the same COP of 1.90. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.

Put simply: at -15 °C, the condenser still delivers 100% of its nominal size. A COP of 1.90 means that each kilowatt-hour consumed at that temperature returns 1.90 kilowatt-hours of heat, where an electric baseboard returns one. At -8 °C, the ratio rises to 2.35. ENERGY STAR's cold-climate designation confirms that the combination meets the low-temperature performance criteria.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 207643002, published by NEEP.

Two large zones: for which homes

This size targets homes where life happens in two large spaces rather than in several small rooms. The most frequent case: an open-plan ground floor, with living room, kitchen and dining room, and a basement finished as a family room. It also suits an extended house, where the addition and the original part have neither the same insulation nor the same exposure, or a bungalow whose living room and bedroom wing are clearly separated.

In a well-insulated house, the two heads can become the main heat source. In an older house, we calculate the share the heat pump can take on, room by room, and present it to you before signing.

Choosing heads for large volumes

For a large open space, the DLFSHCH18XAK, the largest of the three heads, is the usual choice. It is mounted high on the longest wall, so it blows across the full depth of the room and not against an island or a partition. The second zone gets the head that matches its load: the DLFSHCH18XAK if it is just as large, the DLFSHCH12XAK or the DLFSHCH09XAK if it is more modest.

The two heads share the condenser's capacity. When both call at full demand, it is split between them; when only one zone is occupied, it gets all the available capacity. That is why we size each space separately.

The basement, a special case

A finished basement does not have the same needs as the ground floor. In winter, the floor stays cold and the air stratifies: it is warmer near the ceiling than at foot level. A well-aimed wall head stirs that air and evens out the temperature. In summer, humidity dominates; the basement stays cool but damp. The head's dehumidification mode removes that moisture without needlessly cooling the room.

In the basement, the condensate drain also needs particular attention. When a natural slope to the outside is impossible, a small condensate pump becomes necessary; we determine that during the visit.

Fewer baseboards, but a plan for deep cold

With certified capacity that holds up to -15 °C, this system can carry most of the heating for two large zones through most winters in Montreal. The certificate does not, however, publish a colder point. We therefore recommend keeping the existing electric baseboards as backup, set slightly below the heads' set point: they stay off most of the time and take over during extreme cold or defrost cycles.

What happens in the condenser, summer and winter

The inverter compressor varies its speed according to the demand of the two heads and meters the R-410A refrigerant sent to each one. It runs for long periods at reduced speed rather than starting and stopping, which keeps the temperature steady and spares the equipment. The two heads work in the same mode, heating or cooling, as on any multi-zone system of this type.

In cooling, the system is built around a nominal size of 36,000 BTU/h for the two zones. Extended low-speed operation removes moisture from the air, which makes a large room comfortable without having to lower the set point. In winter, in cold, humid weather, the condenser runs defrost cycles of a few minutes; the heat stops briefly and a cloud of vapour rises from the outdoor unit. This is normal.

The 20.0 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 9.7 HSPF2 ratings

• SEER2: cooling efficiency over a whole summer season.
• EER2: cooling efficiency at full load, in hot weather.
• HSPF2: heating efficiency over the whole cold season. For two large zones heated all winter, this is the rating that matters most.
• COP: the ratio between heat delivered and electricity consumed at a given temperature, here 2.35 at -8 °C and 1.90 at -15 °C.

The $4,200 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $4,200 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. We confirm eligibility before signing and prepare the detailed invoice, model numbers and proof of payment. Our page on the efficient heat pump grant summarizes the program's conditions.

From the visit to commissioning

Our installation

The visit starts with the two spaces: dimensions, windows, insulation, ceiling height, then the electrical panel. The load calculation then confirms the condenser size and the choice of heads.

The condenser is installed above the snow line, on a wall bracket or a stand, sheltered from snow sliding off the roof. It is connected to a dedicated circuit, and we check there is room for it in the panel before signing. Each head gets its own refrigerant line set back to the condenser, protected by a line cover outdoors, and its own drain. Commissioning includes the vacuum, the leak test, a check of each zone and setup of the remotes with you. If a third or fourth room needs to be added later, the condenser has the connections to do it; we then check the remaining capacity.

Maintenance

Rinse the filters of both heads every two weeks in season. Keep the condenser clear of snow and leaves, without covering it in winter. One HVAC maintenance visit per year cleans the coils, fans and drains and checks the electrical connections. Our cleaning service takes over when you prefer to hand off the annual visit.

Warranty

Warranty: 10 years on the compressor, 10 years on parts and 6 years on labor.

AirGreen, for the life of the installation

A family business active for more than fifteen years in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore, we hold RBQ licences for ventilation, refrigeration and electrical work and carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance. The in-home assessment is free, the quote is in writing, and our financing options let you choose the right unit rather than the cheapest one.

Request your free estimate for the 2-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE DLCMHB | 36,000 BTU - R410A. We assess your two spaces and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.

Available while supplies last.