Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 1.5 Tons - 18,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUHA 24 000) - R454B

A small central heat pump designed first for the heating season

In Quebec, a home heats for far longer than it cools. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 1.5 Tons - 18,000 BTU in its D5FUHA Air Handler version takes that into account: the 1.5-ton D5CUHAH18AAK outdoor unit is paired with the D5FUHAH24XAK cabinet, an air handler one size larger than the outdoor unit, which pushes air through the home's existing ductwork.

This pairing shows 10.2 HSPF2 for seasonal heating, along with 19.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3560735, its certificate lists capacity down to -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $1,764 LogisVert grant. It runs on R-454B, the new-generation refrigerant.

A cabinet larger than the outdoor unit

The cabinet is the system's indoor unit: it contains the coil, where the refrigerant gives up its heat to the air, and the blower that distributes that air through the house. Here, the D5FUHA cabinet is one size larger than the outdoor unit. This pairing is certified as a system in its own right, under its own AHRI number, with its own ratings.

As a general rule, a larger indoor coil offers more heat-exchange surface: heat passes more easily from the refrigerant to the air, which favours heating efficiency. In return, if the airflow is not adjusted, it removes slightly less moisture in summer. We set that airflow during commissioning. The same outdoor unit also exists with the matching D5FUAA cabinet; during the visit, we explain which of the two pairings suits your home and your duct system.

The 10.2 HSPF2 rating, in plain words

The HSPF2 rating measures a heat pump's efficiency over an entire heating season, taking into account mild days, cold days and defrost cycles. The higher it is, the more heat the heat pump delivers for each kilowatt-hour you pay for. For an electrically heated home, it is the rating that weighs most on the annual bill, well ahead of the cooling ratings.

The COP completes that picture at a specific temperature. An electric baseboard has a COP of 1: it returns exactly the energy it uses. This system shows a COP of 2.66 at -8 °C and 2.12 at -15 °C, which means that at those temperatures it delivers more than twice the heat it uses in electricity.

Three winter temperatures, three readings of the certificate

• At -8 °C (17 °F): 14,700 BTU/h, COP of 2.66. That is the temperature of an ordinary winter day in Montreal.
• At -15 °C (5 °F): 18,600 BTU/h, COP of 2.12, about 103% of the 18,000 BTU/h nominal size. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.
• At -30 °C: 11,800 BTU/h, COP of 0.99. In this extreme cold, the heat pump still produces heat, but its efficiency matches that of ordinary electric heating.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215318901, published by NEEP. We quote them as they are: they show where the heat pump excels, and where backup heat becomes just as efficient as the heat pump.

Electric backup and the balance point

The balance point is the outdoor temperature below which the house loses more heat than the heat pump supplies. It depends on the house as much as on the unit: insulation, windows, airtightness. Below that point, electric backup, usually housed in the cabinet, supplements the heat pump.

With a COP of 0.99 listed at -30 °C, there is no advantage in pushing the outdoor unit during the coldest nights. We set the thermostat so that backup heat takes over at the right time, and we size that backup from the load calculation. The quote states it clearly.

Which homes it suits

The 1.5-ton size suits a small ducted home whose envelope is in good condition: a renovated bungalow on the North Shore, a recent townhouse in Laval, a semi-detached house whose attic has been re-insulated. These are homes where heating makes up most of the bill and where a bigger unit would run in short bursts.

An older, poorly insulated home may need more. Rather than guess, we do a room-by-room load calculation during the visit and show you the result.

Summer, with the same system

In cooling mode, the system cools the whole house through the ducts, with 19.0 SEER2 over the season and 12.5 EER2 on a hot day. The compressor slows down as it approaches the set point, which avoids short cycles and keeps the temperature steady. The water removed from the air drains from the cabinet to a floor drain or a condensate pump.

In a two-storey home, warm air rises and cool air sinks. We check that the upstairs bedrooms have enough supply registers and a return path, because a closed bedroom without an air return stays warmer than the rest of the house. The thermostat's continuous fan mode also helps even out temperatures between floors.

Variable speed and R-454B refrigerant

The variable-speed (inverter) compressor adjusts its speed to demand instead of switching between off and full power. The house stays at a constant temperature, and the system spends most of its time at part load, where its efficiency is at its best.

R-454B is the refrigerant manufacturers have adopted for their new central heat pumps; its effect on global warming is much lower than that of the refrigerant it replaces. It belongs to the A2L class, known as mildly flammable, and its installation follows specific requirements that our technicians apply.

The $1,764 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $1,764 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. The amount is tied to the certificate of this specific pairing: the D5CUHAH18AAK outdoor unit with the D5FUHAH24XAK cabinet.

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 and follow-up by AirGreen

What the installation includes

• A home visit with a load calculation and an inspection of the ducts, plenum and air return.
• Removal of the old furnace and installation of the D5FUHA cabinet in its place, with a condensate drain.
• Mounting of the outdoor unit on a wall bracket or a stand, above the snow line, away from roof drip.
• The insulated copper line set, brazed, pressure-tested and then put under vacuum.
• The electrical connection on a dedicated circuit, with an outdoor disconnect, and the thermostat wiring.
• Commissioning: charge, airflow, defrost, backup heat settings, then an explanation of the controls.

Maintenance

Check the cabinet's filter every month in season and replace it according to its format. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, without ever covering it. Once a year, professional HVAC maintenance cleans the coils and checks the condensate drain, the electrical connections and the backup heat. The white vapour the outdoor unit releases during defrost is normal.

Warranty

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

It covers the pairing as installed. The invoice and the commissioning report, which carry the serial numbers of both units, serve as the reference for any request.

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 this 1.5-ton ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort central heat pump with the D5FUHA air handler. We assess the home room by room, compare the two possible pairings and confirm your LogisVert grant eligibility before signing.