Central Heat Pump ADD-ON ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 21 in.) - R410A

A heat pump that takes over from a large electric furnace for most of the winter

A home heated by an electric furnace that is still sound does not need to replace everything to switch to a heat pump. The Central Heat Pump ADD-ON ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 21 in.) - R410A is added to the existing furnace: the DLFULAH36XCX coil sits on its air outlet, the DLCURAH30ABK outdoor unit is installed outside, and the heat pump heats and cools through the same ducts. The furnace stays as backup: its electric elements only heat when the heat pump is not enough.

Its certified ratings are 15.5 SEER2, 10.5 EER2 and 9.7 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 2841440, its certificate still lists capacity at -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $2,712 LogisVert grant.

A 21 in. coil for wide furnaces

In the ADD-ON approach, the furnace blower pushes air through the heat pump coil, which warms it in winter and cools it in summer. For all the air to pass through the coil, its width must match that of the furnace's air outlet. The 21 in. coil is meant for larger electric furnaces, common in family homes and among higher-capacity units.

We measure the furnace on site before confirming the model, along with the height available between the furnace and the plenum: the coil fits there, and the plenum is adjusted or rebuilt as needed. A condensate drain is connected to the coil, which produces water in cooling mode.

Homes heated by an electric furnace

The 2.5-ton size, or 30,000 BTU/h, often suits a two-storey cottage, a large bungalow with a basement or a split-level on the North Shore, in Laval or on the South Shore. In these homes, the electric furnace's elements are among the largest loads of the winter. Every hour of heating provided by the heat pump is an hour those elements stay off: the heat pump moves heat from the outdoor air instead of producing it, and the furnace only works as a top-up.

The size is confirmed by a room-by-room load calculation. In an ADD-ON system, we choose it first for good cooling, then check the share of heating the heat pump will be able to take on before calling on the furnace's elements.

The share of winter the heat pump takes on

• At -8 °C (17 °F): 22,600 BTU/h, with a COP of 2.62.
• At -15 °C (5 °F): 27,000 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.85, about 90% of the nominal size.
• At -30 °C: 18,600 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.50.

The -8 °C and -15 °C points are measured separately; we report each one as published. These figures come from certificate AHRI 213372119, published by NEEP. They show a heat pump able to heat the house for most of a Montreal winter, with the furnace's electric elements stepping in only during deep cold snaps or according to the chosen setting.

When the electric elements take over

A compatible thermostat decides when the furnace steps in. As long as the heat pump holds the set point, it lets it heat alone. When demand exceeds what the heat pump can deliver, it brings in the furnace's electric elements as auxiliary heat. During defrost, those elements can also heat for a few minutes so that the air from the grilles stays warm.

This setting is not fixed. It takes into account the heat pump's capacity, the home's heat loss and your comfort preferences, and it can be revisited from one season to the next. We set it during commissioning and can adjust it later.

What the ratings mean

The HSPF2 of 9.7 measures the heat pump's efficiency over the whole heating season. COP measures it at a specific temperature: at -8 °C, the heat pump delivers more than two and a half times the energy it uses, whereas the elements of an electric furnace never deliver more heat than the electricity they receive.

On the cooling side, the SEER2 of 15.5 measures efficiency over a typical summer and the EER2 of 10.5 measures full-load efficiency on a hot day. The variable-speed (inverter) compressor adjusts its speed to demand, and the system runs on R-410A, a refrigerant that refrigeration technicians know well.

Air conditioning, often for the first time

Many homes heated by an electric furnace have never had central air conditioning: the ducts are there, but they were only used for heating. With the heat pump, every room served by the ducts is cooled in summer, upstairs bedrooms included. The compressor slows down as it approaches the set point and runs for long periods at low speed, which removes moisture from the air and keeps the basement drier.

The furnace blower has to be set accordingly: a heat pump coil often needs more air in cooling than a furnace circulates in heating. We adjust its speed during commissioning and check that the upstairs registers get their share. Condensate drains from the coil to a floor drain or a pump.

The $2,712 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $2,712 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. The amount corresponds to the certified pairing of the DLCURAH30ABK outdoor unit and the DLFULAH36XCX coil.

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.

Installation on the existing furnace

The furnace first, then the heat pump

An ADD-ON system relies on the furnace: it has to be in good condition. During the visit, we check its age, its general condition, its blower and the airflow it can deliver, its heating elements and their electrical connections, the filter and the air return. If the furnace is nearing the end of its life, we tell you and present the other options, including a central heat pump with an air handler.

On installation day, the coil is mounted on the furnace and connected to the condensate drain. The outdoor unit goes on a wall bracket or a stand, above the snow line, away from roof drip. The insulated copper line set is brazed, pressure-tested and put under vacuum. The outdoor unit is connected on a dedicated circuit, with an outdoor disconnect; the ADD-ON approach adds no heating elements, since those of the electric furnace serve as backup, and we check that the panel can carry the heat pump in addition to the furnace. The thermostat is replaced with a model that manages the heat pump and electric auxiliary heat, then commissioning checks the charge, airflow, defrost and the elements coming in.

Maintenance

The furnace filter serves both units: check it every month in season and replace it according to its format. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, without covering it. A yearly check of the electric furnace and its blower is still worthwhile, and annual HVAC maintenance of the heat pump covers the coil, the condensate drain and the electrical connections. The white vapour during defrost, in winter, is normal.

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 Central Heat Pump ADD-ON ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 21 in.) - R410A. We check your electric furnace, assess the home room by room and confirm your grant eligibility before signing.