Central Heat Pump ADD-ON ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 17.5 in.) - R410A
SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
HSPF2 (Seasonal Heating Efficiency)
EER2 (Instantaneous cooling efficiency)
COP at -8 °C (Heating energy efficiency)
COP at -15 °C (Heating energy efficiency)
COP at -30 °C (MAX)
Three tons of heat pump on a mid-width electric furnace
Many family homes are heated by a mid-width electric furnace that is still in good condition, with no central air conditioning or with an old air conditioner. The Central Heat Pump ADD-ON ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 17.5 in.) - R410A is added to that furnace: the DLFULAH36XBX coil sits on its air outlet, the DLCURAH36ABK outdoor unit is installed outside, and the heat pump heats and cools through the same ducts. The furnace stays in place as backup, and its electric elements only heat in deep cold.
Its certified ratings are 15.5 SEER2, 10.0 EER2 and 8.6 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 2841441, its certificate still lists capacity at -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $3,288 LogisVert grant.
The 17.5 in. coil and its certificate
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. The coil's width must match that of the furnace's air outlet: here, 17.5 in., a common width for residential furnaces.
The same outdoor unit is also available with a wider coil, meant for larger furnaces. Each pairing has its own AHRI certificate, its own ratings and its own grant amount. The furnace in place determines the coil; we measure it on site before confirming the model.
The furnace blower, the critical point
A 3-ton heat pump requires substantial airflow, especially in cooling. In an ADD-ON system, it is the furnace blower that has to supply it. A mid-width furnace may be up to the task, but it has to be checked: a blower that is too weak or a duct system that is too restrictive reduces the heat pump's efficiency, causes the coil to freeze in summer or the system to overheat in winter.
During the visit, we examine the blower, its available speeds, the filter, the air return and the duct sizes. If the furnace cannot deliver the required airflow, we tell you plainly and present other options, such as a smaller size or a central heat pump with an air handler.
The homes it is meant for
The 3-ton size, or 36,000 BTU/h, often matches a two-storey cottage with a basement, a large bungalow or a spacious semi-detached house in Longueuil, on the South Shore or in Laval, heated by an electric furnace and often cooled until now by window units, or not at all. The size is confirmed by a room-by-room load calculation. In an ADD-ON system, we choose it first for good cooling, without oversizing, then assess the share of heating the heat pump will be able to take on.
What the certificate lists
- At -8 °C (17 °F): 27,400 BTU/h, with a COP of 2.12.
- At -15 °C (5 °F): 31,600 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.85, about 88% of the nominal size.
- At -30 °C: 20,000 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.26.
The -8 °C and -15 °C points are measured separately; we report each one as published. These figures come from certificate AHRI 213372120, published by NEEP.
Reading the ratings plainly
The HSPF2 of 8.6 measures the heat pump's efficiency over the whole heating season. It is a sound rating for a cold-climate certified heat pump, without being among the highest; in an ADD-ON system, where the furnace's elements take over during deep cold, it applies mostly to the long stretches of fall, mild winter and spring, when the heat pump works the most.
COP gives the reading at a specific temperature: at -8 °C, the heat pump delivers more than twice the heat it uses in electricity, whereas the elements of an electric furnace never deliver more heat than the electricity they receive. In cooling, the SEER2 of 15.5 measures efficiency over a typical summer and the EER2 of 10.0 measures full-load efficiency on a hot day.
Which unit heats, and when
A compatible thermostat decides when the furnace steps in. The heat pump heats first; when it can no longer hold the set point, the thermostat 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.
The moment auxiliary heat comes in takes into account the heat pump's capacity, the home's heat loss and your comfort preferences. For most of a Montreal winter, the heat pump heats on its own; the furnace's elements step in mainly during cold snaps. We set this moment during commissioning and adjust it as needed.
Cooling
In summer, the heat pump cools every room served by the ducts. Its variable-speed (inverter) 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. Condensate drains from the coil to a floor drain or a pump. The system runs on R-410A, a refrigerant that refrigeration technicians know well.
The $3,288 LogisVert grant
The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $3,288 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 DLCURAH36ABK outdoor unit and the DLFULAH36XBX 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 steps
- Visit: electric furnace condition and age, blower and airflow, heating elements, ducts, air return, electrical panel, load calculation.
- Written quote: size, coil, planned settings, corrections to the duct system where needed.
- Coil: installation on the furnace, plenum adjustment, condensate drain connection.
- Outdoor unit: wall bracket or stand, above the snow line, away from roof drip.
- Refrigerant circuit: insulated copper line set, brazing, pressure test and vacuum.
- Electrical and thermostat: dedicated circuit, outdoor disconnect, a panel able to carry the heat pump in addition to the furnace, thermostat that manages the heat pump and electric auxiliary heat.
- Commissioning: charge, blower speed setting, airflow, defrost and the furnace's elements coming in.
Two units, coordinated maintenance
With an ADD-ON system, the home has two units that share the same blower and the same filter. Check that filter every month in season and replace it according to its format: it protects both the furnace and the coil. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, without covering it. A yearly check of the electric furnace and its elements is still worthwhile, and annual HVAC maintenance of the heat pump covers the coil, the condensate drain and the electrical connections; the simplest approach is to schedule them together, in the fall. 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 | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Coil DLFULA 17.5 in.) - R410A. We check your electric furnace's blower and condition, assess the home room by room and confirm your grant eligibility before signing.