SENVILLE R454B 4-Zone Heat Pump | 48000 BTU

Four separately controlled spaces with a single condenser: a multi-zone solution designed for homes where air distribution matters just as much as BTUs

The SENVILLE R454B 4-Zone Heat Pump | 48000 BTU addresses a very practical problem we encounter at AirGreen in homes, condos, multiplexes, and small commercial buildings in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, and the North Shore: how can several enclosed rooms be heated and cooled without installing four outdoor units around the building?

With a Quad-Zone configuration, a single outdoor condenser serves four separately controllable indoor units. Senville officially markets its 48,000 BTU platform in a Quad-Zone version under the SENA/48HF/Q family.

The heart of the system is the SENA-48HF-MOA outdoor unit, operating with R454B. This platform is particularly flexible: the accompanying documentation indicates that it can support 2 to 6 zones, depending on the selected matching system.

For the matched system we are discussing here, the reference to retain is AHRI 215735320. The certified data associated with this number includes 23 SEER2, 12 EER2, 11 HSPF2, a rated cooling capacity of 47,000 BTU/h, and a rated heating capacity of 49,000 BTU/h. The unit is also listed as a cold-climate heat pump.

It is therefore useful to immediately understand one distinction: 48,000 BTU is the system’s commercial class, while the certified capacity of the matched system may be slightly different. At AirGreen, we always rely on the exact AHRI number when comparing models or confirming a rebate.

The main features of the SENVILLE 4-Zone 48,000 BTU system

For this configuration, the key data includes:

• Outdoor unit: SENA-48HF-MOA
• Configuration: 4 zones
• AHRI: 215735320
• Commercial class: 48,000 BTU
• Certified cooling capacity: 47,000 BTU/h
• Rated heating capacity: 49,000 BTU/h
• SEER2: 23.0
• EER2: 12.0
• HSPF2: 11.0
• Capacity at -8 °C: 45,000 BTU/h
• Capacity at -15 °C: 47,000 BTU/h
• Maximum rated capacity at -30 °C: approximately 24,600 BTU/h
• COP at -8 °C: approximately 2.6
• Maximum COP at -30 °C: approximately 1.27
• Minimum operating temperature in heating mode: -30 °C
• Refrigerant: R454B
• ENERGY STAR: yes
• ENERGY STAR Cold Climate: yes
• ENERGY STAR ID: 3630067
• Wi-Fi: included
• Power supply: 208/230 V
• MCA: 37 A
• Maximum protection: 40 A
• Outdoor sound level: approximately 65 dB(A)
• Maximum outdoor airflow: approximately 4,503 CFM
• AirGreen warranty listed: 10-10-6 (6 years on labor straight from the distributor), with additional protection available

The SENA-48HF-MOA brochure confirms 23 SEER2, a 208/230 V power supply, and a voltage range of 187 to 253 V.

A modulation range extending well beyond a simple 48,000 BTU figure

Inverter technology is particularly important in a four-zone heat pump.

The condenser documentation specifies an approximate cooling range of 12,000 to 57,000 BTU/h and a heating range of 13,000 to 57,000 BTU/h.

This means the system is not destined to operate continuously at its maximum capacity.

Imagine a South Shore home equipped with four heads:

• one in the living room;
• one in the primary bedroom;
• one in an office;
• one in a second bedroom.

At 2 p.m. in summer, the south-facing living room may require substantial cooling, while the bedrooms are already cool. At 11 p.m., the situation may be reversed: the living room barely needs cooling, while the bedrooms are occupied.

The compressor can adjust its output to meet the overall demand.

This modulation allows the system to better manage a home whose different rooms never have exactly the same heating load at the same time.

Four zones do not mean four compressors

This is probably the most important point to understand before purchasing a 4-Zone heat pump.

Each indoor unit can be controlled separately, but the four heads share:

• the same compressor;
• the same outdoor unit;
• a shared total capacity;
• the same main operating mode for the refrigeration circuit.

Occupants can therefore set different temperatures from one room to another, but they should not think of four completely independent heat pumps.

If all four zones require substantial heating at the same time, the condenser must distribute its available capacity among them.

That is why we size each room and the entire building.

A four-zone 12,000 BTU configuration is possible, but the exact pairing must be confirmed

Senville commercially offers the 48,000 BTU Quad-Zone version with configurations including four 12,000 BTU units.

That does not necessarily mean that a 12,000 BTU head is needed in every room.

In a real property, we may have very different needs:

A compact bedroom may require much less capacity than a large living room with extensive glazing, while a sunny attic office may have a higher load than its area would suggest.

The possible combinations must therefore be validated according to the indoor units compatible with Senville and, above all, according to the AHRI pairing that we want to retain.

23 SEER2 on a system of this capacity: notable efficiency

A SEER2 of 23 is particularly appealing on a multizone platform capable of serving four rooms.

The ENERGY STAR database associated with SENA-48HF-MOA / AHRI 215735320 also confirms:

• 23 SEER2;
• 12 EER2;
• 11 HSPF2;
• continuously variable compressor;
• R454B;
• cold-climate certification.

This efficiency does not mean that every home will achieve the same annual savings.

Actual consumption depends on the quality of the building, the use of the four zones, the setpoint temperature, and the proportion of electric heating that the heat pump actually manages to replace.

At AirGreen, we therefore consider SEER2 a comparative indicator, not a promise about an electricity bill.

45,000 BTU at -8 °C: a much more useful figure than simply “heats down to -30”

For a heat pump used in Quebec, we place great importance on the capacity available at low temperatures.

The listed pairing indicates approximately 45,000 BTU/h of heating at -8 °C.

The certification database also reports approximately 47,000 BTU/h at -15 °C for this configuration, with a certified COP close to 2 at this operating point.

This capacity matters because -8 °C to -15 °C corresponds to a temperature range in which a heat pump in Quebec can accumulate a great many operating hours over the course of a winter.

For a homeowner in Montreal, Laval, or Longueuil, the potential for savings is therefore not limited to the two or three coldest nights of January. It depends mainly on what the unit can produce throughout the season.

Heating down to -30 °C: what it really means

Senville advertises heating down to -30 °C, a figure also listed in the SENA-48HF-MOA brochure.

At this temperature, however, it is necessary to distinguish between operating capacity and nominal capacity.

AirGreen data associated with the model indicate a maximum capacity of approximately 24,600 BTU/h at -30 °C, with a COP of approximately 1.27.

In other words, the heat pump continues to provide heat when the mercury reaches -30 °C, but it no longer provides the approximately 47,000 to 49,000 BTU available under less severe conditions.

In a large house requiring 45,000 BTU/h of heating at -30 °C, a supplemental heat source will therefore remain necessary.

In a very well-insulated property with much lower heat losses, the heat pump's contribution can remain very significant.

COP of 2.6 at -8 °C: why this figure deserves to be understood

A COP of 2,6 means that under this operating condition, the system provides approximately 2.6 units of heat for one unit of electricity consumed by the heat pump.

By comparison, electric resistance heating operates essentially at a COP of 1.

The lower the outdoor temperature drops, the more a heat pump's COP generally tends to decrease.

At -30 °C, a value of approximately 1.27 means that the energy advantage over electric resistance becomes smaller, but theoretically remains present under the corresponding conditions.

For us, these figures are primarily used to determine when to run the heat pump and when to plan for supplemental heat, rather than to assess the unit based on a single figure.

R454B and the new installation requirements

This generation uses the R454B.

The condenser brochure indicates a charge of approximately 151.68 oz and a precharge that may correspond to approximately 150 ft of piping for the published configuration.

On a Quad-Zone system, this precharge capacity makes perfect sense: we can have four refrigerant lines running to four different parts of the building.

However, “precharged for 150 ft” does not mean that four lines can be routed freely without taking the manufacturer's rules into account.

We must comply with:

• the maximum length of each branch;
• the combined length;
• the height differences;
• the piping dimensions;
• the additional charge required when the precharge limits are exceeded;
• the permitted combinations of indoor units.

The R454B is also an A2L-class refrigerant. Senville documentation highlights diagnostic and leak detection features on this generation.

This makes the quality of the connections, leak testing, and commissioning even more important.

A platform capable of supporting 2 to 6 zones: useful, but the correct matching must be maintained

The technical documentation explicitly states that the SENA-48HF-MOA can support 2 to 6 zones.

It is a very flexible platform.

Senville also markets the same condenser in different versions: Dual-Zone, Quad-Zone, and Five-Zone.

However, this does not mean that we can turn a Quad-Zone configuration into a Five-Zone or Six-Zone system without verifying the consequences.

Adding an indoor unit can change:

• connected capacity;
• certified efficiency;
• AHRI;
• the size of each indoor unit;
• eligibility for financial assistance;
• the system's behavior when multiple zones demand capacity simultaneously.

For the customer, the outdoor unit number is therefore only part of the information. The complete matching is the real HVAC product.

A Quad-Zone installation requires four times as much interior planning, not simply four times as many pipes

An AirGreen project in Verdun that perfectly illustrates the challenge

We recently completed a Quad-Zone installation in Verdun, Montreal at AirGreen, with four wall-mounted units connected to a single condenser.

The work took place in a unit undergoing renovations, where we had to work around tight spaces, windows close to the installation areas, and the need to keep the line route clean and discreet.

This is precisely the type of building where a four-zone solution is worthwhile.

A single large unit in a hallway could have provided plenty of BTUs without actually treating four enclosed rooms properly.

With four indoor units, each space receives its heating and cooling directly.

In Ville-Marie and Old Montreal, the number of zones is not the only challenge

Our Quad-Zone installations in Ville-Marie and the Old Port of Montreal have also exposed us to the typical realities of urban buildings: uneven walls, limited space, architectural constraints, and the need to conceal the lines without compromising access to the equipment.

In a newer home on the South Shore, we can sometimes run each line almost directly outside.

In a Montreal condo, the first indoor unit may be only a few feet from the condenser, while the fourth requires a completely different route.

That is why two projects using exactly the same Senville heat pump may require very different amounts of work.

The four drains deserve as much attention as the four refrigerant lines

Each indoor unit produces condensation in cooling mode.

This potentially means four drains to manage.

We prefer to use gravity when the building configuration allows it. When this is not possible, a condensate pump may become necessary.

An incorrect slope on a single drain can cause:

• water noises;
• a leak;
• water accumulating in the drain pan;
• water infiltration into the wall;
• an avoidable service call.

In a four-zone project, repeating the components also multiplies the possibilities for error.

The piping must match the installed head

The AirGreen specification sheet indicates 3/8 in – 5/8 in in the general data associated with the configuration, but with a multi-zone heat pump it is essential to verify the required sizes for each indoor unit actually selected.

A 9,000- or 12,000-BTU head does not necessarily have the same connections as a 24,000-BTU unit.

Therefore, we never select the piping solely based on the condenser’s total capacity.

The final pairing manual remains the reference.

A condenser weighing nearly 250 lb: the support must be taken seriously

The brochure specifies the following for the SENA-48HF-MOA:

• 37.48 × 16.34 × 52.48 in;
• weight of approximately 246.47 lb;
• outdoor sound level of approximately 65 dB(A).

This is not a small outdoor wall-mounted unit.

In Greater Montreal, we must anticipate:

• snow;
• ice;
• defrosting;
• weight;
• vibrations;
• support stability;
• future access to the service panels.

If the condenser is placed directly beneath a roof downspout, ice-related problems can become significant.

If it is installed too low, snow may reduce airflow.

If it is mounted on a lightweight structure, vibrations may be transmitted to the building.

65 dB(A): the outdoor location must also respect the neighbors

An outdoor sound level of 65 dB(A) warrants serious consideration, particularly in densely populated areas of Montreal.

Installing the unit directly beneath the homeowner’s bedroom window or near the neighbor’s is not our first choice when a realistic alternative exists.

We also consider how sound can be reflected between two closely spaced walls.

On the North Shore or South Shore, a larger property sometimes provides more flexibility. In a Montreal plex, every available foot can matter.

37 A MCA, 40 A maximum protection

The brochure confirms a minimum circuit ampacity of 37 A and a maximum protection of 40 A for the outdoor unit.

The system operates at 208/230 V single-phase.

Before installation, we therefore check the panel’s capacity, the available space, and the electrical routing.

This check must be carried out before the installation date, particularly in older plexes in Montreal and Longueuil, where an electrical panel may already be heavily loaded.

Wi-Fi and four-zone management

The system offers Wi-Fi control, and Senville markets its Quad-Zone range as a solution that allows individual control of different rooms.

For four zones, this becomes genuinely practical.

The owner can, for example, maintain:

• the living room at a more comfortable temperature during the evening;
• the office slightly cooler when it is unoccupied;
• the bedrooms at a different temperature during the night;
• a guest room with a lower setpoint when it is not in use.

A multi-zone installation is therefore not simply a way to distribute BTUs. It also makes it possible to adapt comfort to the building’s actual use.

LogisVert: why the displayed amount is $5,400

The capacity used in the AirGreen specifications is 45,000 BTU/h at -8°C.

Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program currently offers $120 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C for an eligible heat pump, subject to the applicable conditions being met.

The calculation is therefore:

45 × $120 = $5,400

This is exactly the amount of 5 400 $ displayed for this heat pump.

The AHRI number 215735320 is associated with an ENERGY STAR cold-climate heat pump, with a certified capacity of 45,000 BTU/h at around -8°C.

However, you must always check the program on the installation date. Hydro-Québec specifies that eligible models and amounts may change.

A multi-unit residential building incentive can be even more substantial

For certain eligible multi-unit residential buildings, Hydro-Québec has offered, since June 15, 2026, an incentive increase bringing the rebate to $220 per 1,000 BTU/h at -8°C when all program requirements are met.

With 45,000 BTU/h at -8°C, the theoretical calculation is:

45 × 220 $ = 9,900 $

This amount is by no means automatic. The incentive is intended for multi-unit residential buildings meeting specific criteria and applies to ENERGY STAR – Cold Climate wall-mounted heat pumps installed in eligible dwelling units.

For this type of project, we verify the address, building type, and exact configuration before presenting an amount as applicable.

Warranty

This system is covered for 10 years on the compressor, 10 years on parts and 6 years on labor, straight from the distributor, with the option of additional coverage.

The mistakes we seek to avoid on a four-zone system

Installing four heads with the same capacity without calculating the requirements of all four rooms

A 150-square-foot bedroom and a 700-square-foot living room should not automatically receive the same capacity simply to simplify ordering.

Installing a head in a hallway to serve two bedrooms

A heat pump heats and cools a space much more effectively when it blows directly into that space.

Choosing locations solely to reduce pipe length

A shorter refrigerant line is of little value if the unit blows air in the wrong direction all year round.

Failing to plan for future maintenance

With four indoor units, we want to maintain access to the filters, drain, evaporator, and components.

Forgetting that the four zones share a common capacity

If all four rooms have a very high simultaneous load, condenser sizing becomes critical.

Confusing the Dual-Zone and Quad-Zone specifications

The attached brochure shows a Dual-Zone 24,000 + 24,000 BTU version, but the SENA-48HF-MOA is also officially used in a Quad-Zone configuration.

The exact AHRI number tells us which performance specifications we need to use.

For what type of property is this SENVILLE Quad-Zone most relevant?

We mainly consider it for buildings that have four zones genuinely requiring their own air distribution.

This may include:

• four bedrooms;
• three bedrooms and a living room;
• two bedrooms, an office, and a living area;
• two levels with several enclosed rooms;
• a large condo;
• a multiplex;
• a small business with several offices;
• a property where the number of outdoor units must be limited.

In a very large, entirely open area, four heads would often be unnecessary.

In a residence with six or seven small enclosed rooms, we might instead consider another configuration.

The number of zones should follow the building’s layout, not just the desired total capacity.

Why choose AirGreen for a SENVILLE 4-Zone installation?

A four-zone installation requires much more coordination than a single-split system.

At AirGreen, we must plan simultaneously:

the four indoor locations, the four drains, the refrigerant line routes, the outdoor line sets, the wiring, the outdoor unit, the electrical circuit, and the complete commissioning.

Our experience with Quad-Zone installations in Verdun, Ville-Marie, Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie, Montreal East, Plateau-Mont-Royal, and Pointe-Claire has allowed us to work in very different environments, from narrow urban apartments to homes where the four zones are located on multiple façades.

This is precisely the type of project where preparation makes the difference.

A Quad-Zone heat pump must do more than simply work on the day it is commissioned. It must remain easy to clean, accessible for repairs, visually unobtrusive, and capable of distributing the right amount of air to each of the four zones for many years.

Request an AirGreen quote for the SENVILLE 4-Zone 48,000 BTU

For a SENVILLE R454B 4-Zone Heat Pump | 48000 BTU in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the South Shore, or the North Shore, contact AirGreen.

We can determine the required capacity in each of the four rooms, confirm compatible indoor units, validate AHRI match AHRI 215735320, plan the refrigerant lines and drains, check the electrical panel, and confirm eligibility for the $5,400 LogisVert grant according to the conditions in effect at the time of installation.

On a Quad-Zone system, the best result doesn’t come from using the highest possible BTU capacity. It comes from properly distributing the capacity among four spaces, each with its own needs.

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