Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUHA 36 000) - R454B

A pairing designed for the whole heating season, from fall to spring

The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU in its D5FUHA Air Handler version combines the 2.5-ton D5CUHAH30AAK outdoor unit with the D5FUHAH36XAK cabinet, an air handler one size larger than the outdoor unit. The cabinet replaces the furnace and pushes warm or cool air through the existing duct system.

This pairing shows 10.8 HSPF2 for seasonal heating, along with 17.2 SEER2 and 12.1 EER2 for cooling. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3560736, its certificate lists capacity down to -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $2,880 LogisVert grant. It runs on R-454B, the new-generation refrigerant.

One compressor, two possible cabinets

A central heat pump is not certified on its own: it is the pairing of a specific outdoor unit and a specific indoor unit that receives an AHRI number, ratings and, where applicable, a grant amount. The same D5CUHAH30AAK outdoor unit can be paired with the matching D5FUAA cabinet or, as here, with the larger D5FUHA cabinet. Each pairing has its own certificate.

As a general rule, a larger indoor coil offers more heat-exchange surface, which favours heating efficiency. During the visit, we compare the two pairings based on the space in the mechanical room, the duct system and the certified ratings of each, then recommend the one that suits your home.

The heating season, from fall to spring

In Quebec, the heating season starts with the first cool nights of fall and ends late in the spring. A good part of those months is spent around the freezing point or slightly below it, where a heat pump is at its best. Those long periods are where most of the bill is decided, far more than during the few nights of deep cold.

The certificate illustrates this behaviour. At -8 °C (17 °F), it lists 24,000 BTU/h with a COP of 2.69: the heat pump then delivers more than two and a half times the heat it uses in electricity. An electric baseboard, by comparison, has a COP of 1.

The 10.8 HSPF2 rating

HSPF2 sums up efficiency over a complete heating season: mild days, cold days, defrost cycles and part-load operation. The higher it is, the more each kilowatt-hour you pay for turns into heat. At 10.8 HSPF2, this pairing is aimed at owners for whom heating makes up most of the electricity bill, which is the vast majority of electrically heated homes in Greater Montreal.

Like all certified ratings, HSPF2 is measured under a standardized protocol. It mainly serves to compare systems on a common basis; actual consumption then depends on the house, its insulation and your settings.

When the cold sets in

At -15 °C (5 °F), the certificate lists 33,200 BTU/h with a COP of 1.97, about 111% of the 30,000 BTU/h nominal size. The -8 °C and -15 °C points are measured separately; we report each one as published. At -30 °C, the certificate still lists 17,900 BTU/h with a COP of 1.45.

On the coldest nights, the house may lose more heat than the outdoor unit supplies. Electric backup, usually housed in the cabinet, then supplements the heating. We size it from the load calculation and set the thermostat so it only comes on when needed. These figures come from certificate AHRI 215318902, published by NEEP.

Which homes it suits

The 2.5-ton size, or 30,000 BTU/h, often suits a cottage with a basement, a large bungalow or a split-level in Laval, Longueuil or on the South Shore. This pairing particularly speaks to families who spend the winter at home, working remotely or with young children, and who heat a lot.

An older, poorly insulated home may need more; a recent, well-sealed home, less. The room-by-room load calculation we do during the visit confirms the size.

Cooling and humidity

In summer, the system cools the whole house through the ducts, with 17.2 SEER2 over the season and 12.1 EER2 at full load on a hot day. A larger indoor coil may remove slightly less moisture if the airflow is not adjusted; we set that airflow during commissioning so the house stays cool without being clammy.

The compressor slows down as it approaches the set point and runs for long periods at low speed, which avoids short cycles. Condensate drains from the cabinet to a floor drain or a pump.

Variable speed and R-454B

The variable-speed (inverter) compressor adjusts its speed to demand instead of switching between off and full power. Air circulates continuously through the ducts and the temperature stays steady from one room to the next.

R-454B is the refrigerant manufacturers have adopted for their new central heat pumps; if it leaks, 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 $2,880 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $2,880 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. This amount is specific to the pairing of the D5CUHAH30AAK outdoor unit and the D5FUHAH36XAK cabinet: changing the cabinet would change the reference certificate.

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 by AirGreen

From the visit to commissioning

The home visit includes the load calculation, an inspection of the ducts, plenum and air return, and a measurement of the space available for the cabinet. The written quote specifies the recommended pairing, the backup heat and any corrections to the duct system.

On installation day, the furnace is removed and the D5FUHA cabinet takes its place, connected to the plenum, the air return and the condensate drain. The outdoor unit is mounted 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 electrical connection is made on a dedicated circuit, with an outdoor disconnect. Commissioning checks the charge, airflow, defrost and backup heat; we then explain the settings to you.

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 covering it. Annual HVAC maintenance, ideally before the heating season starts, 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.

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