3-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE D5CMHA | 30,000 BTU - R454B

Three living spaces, one unit outside

In a bungalow heated with baseboards, three rooms carry most of the life of the house: the open living-kitchen area and the two bedrooms. The 3-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE D5CMHA | 30,000 BTU - R454B gives each one a head and a set point, from a single condenser. That 2.5-ton D5CMHAH30EAK condenser serves 3 zones (up to 4 at most) and modulates its capacity according to how many heads are calling. The heads are chosen from the D5FSHAH06XAK, D5FSHAH09XAK, D5FSHAH12XAK and D5FSHAH18XAK wall-mounted heat pump models.

The system is rated 24.0 SEER2, 13.2 EER2 and 10.7 HSPF2. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3722940. The certificate still lists its capacity at -30 °C, and the system qualifies for a $4,200 LogisVert grant.

The typical single-storey: a living room and two bedrooms

The layout is familiar in the bungalow neighbourhoods of Laval, Longueuil or the North Shore: living room, dining room and kitchen at the front, two bedrooms along a hallway at the back. A single head in the living room heats the open area well, but the heat does not turn the corner of the hallway and does not enter a bedroom whose door stays closed at night. With three zones, the living room keeps its daytime temperature, and each bedroom its own for sleeping.

The same logic applies to a two-storey semi-detached house whose ground floor forms one zone and the two upstairs bedrooms two more. In every case, the size of the rooms, the age of the windows and the attic insulation weigh on the real load; we measure them before confirming the size.

Replacing baseboards, room by room

With electric baseboards, each room already has its own thermostat; that is precisely what multi-zone keeps. Each head has its own remote, schedules and set point, and the heat pump takes on most of the season's heating. The baseboards stay in place: they serve as backup in deep cold and in rooms that are not served, such as a bathroom or an entrance. The difference is felt mostly in the distribution: the head circulates the air of the room, while a baseboard mostly heats the area in front of the window.

A practical tip: with a heat pump, large set-point swings between day and night are less useful than with baseboards. A steady temperature, slightly lowered at night, lets the compressor work at low speed, where it is most efficient.

Choosing three heads from four sizes

Each head's code indicates its size, from the D5FSHAH06XAK, the most compact, to the D5FSHAH18XAK, the largest. In a bungalow, the open area usually gets the largest size, the primary bedroom an intermediate size, and a small bedroom or office the most compact head. The total of the three heads must stay within the combinations the manufacturer allows for this condenser; we check this in the load calculation, taking into account the moment when all three zones call at the same time.

What a single condenser gains you

Three independent wall-mounted heat pumps would mean three units outside, three stands to clear of snow and three circuits at the electrical panel. Here, a single condenser, placed in the most discreet spot on the lot, serves all three rooms on one dedicated circuit. The facade stays cleaner, and outdoor maintenance is done in one go. The trade-off to know: the three heads work in the same mode at any given time, heating or cooling, each at its own temperature.

A fourth zone, if the house changes

The D5CMHAH30EAK accepts a fourth head. If the basement is later finished as a family room or guest room, it can be connected to the same condenser, provided the combination of four heads remains allowed. Mention this project during the visit: it can influence the size of the first three heads and the condenser location.

Winter performance: the certificate's figures

The certificate lists 35,000 BTU/h at -8 °C and 36,000 BTU/h at -15 °C. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published. In both cases, the published value exceeds the nominal 30,000 BTU size, which leaves a useful margin when all three zones call on a January morning.

• COP of 2.40 at the -8 °C point
• COP of 2.00 at the -15 °C point
• Maximum capacity at -30 °C: 22,400 BTU/h, COP of 1.47
• Heating certified down to -30 °C

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215357141, published by NEEP. The closer the temperature gets to -30 °C, the lower the published capacity: the baseboards you keep then take over.

Cooling and dehumidification

In a bungalow, the roof heats the rooms directly below, and west-facing bedrooms stay warm late into the evening. The inverter compressor responds by speeding up when all three zones call for cooling, then slows down as soon as the set points are reached. Those long low-speed cycles are also the ones that remove the most moisture from the air, and each head's dehumidification mode handles muggy days without overcooling. The new-generation R-454B refrigerant has a global warming potential markedly lower than the fluids it replaces.

Reading SEER2, EER2, HSPF2 and COP

The 24.0 SEER2 sums up cooling efficiency over an entire season. The 13.2 EER2 measures it in the hottest condition. The 10.7 HSPF2 sums up the heating season, the one that counts most on a Quebec bill. COP is the most telling: it is the amount of heat delivered for each unit of electricity consumed. An electric baseboard delivers one for one; the heat pump delivers more at each of the published points.

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.

A careful installation, predictable maintenance

What our installation includes

Everything starts with the in-home assessment and the load calculation for the three rooms. The condenser then goes on a stand or a wall bracket, above the snow line and out of the path of snow falling from the roof. In a bungalow, the three refrigerant line sets run along the facade under a finishing cover or pass, insulated, through the attic to reach heads mounted on interior walls. Each head has its drain, by gravity or through a condensate pump depending on the route. The condenser is wired to a dedicated circuit after checking the electrical panel. Since R-454B is mildly flammable, each connection is made according to its rules, followed by commissioning: leak test, vacuum, a check of all three zones and programming the remotes with you.

Maintenance

The filters of the three heads are rinsed every two weeks in season. The condenser must stay clear of snow, ice and leaves, with no cover in winter. Plan an annual HVAC maintenance visit for the coils, blower wheels, drains and electrical connections. In winter, white vapour during defrost and a short pause in heating are normal. Our cleaning service takes over when you prefer to hand off the annual visit.

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 3-Zone Heat Pump ARCOAIRE D5CMHA | 30,000 BTU - R454B. We assess your three rooms, choose the size of each head and confirm your grant eligibility before signing.

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