Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUAA) - R454B
One large home, one system: heat, cool air and good air distribution
In a large home with ductwork, all the air in the house passes through the indoor unit, several times an hour when the system is running. Choosing the system therefore affects heating and cooling, but also filtration, ventilation and humidity. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUAA) - R454B pairs the D5CUHAH48AAK outdoor unit with the matching-size D5FUAAH48XAK cabinet, which replaces the furnace and supplies the entire existing duct system.
Its certified ratings are 16.5 SEER2, 10.5 EER2 and 9.5 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3560729, its certificate lists capacity down to -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $4,740 LogisVert grant. It runs on R-454B, the new-generation refrigerant.
For large homes
The 4-ton size, or 48,000 BTU/h, is meant for large homes: a two-storey cottage with a basement finished over its entire surface, an enlarged split-level, a large family home in Laval, on the North Shore or on the South Shore. These are homes where the duct system serves three levels and about ten rooms.
The size is confirmed by the load calculation, never by floor area alone or by the size of the old unit. A large renovated, well-insulated home may need less; an older home with large glazed areas, more. We do this calculation room by room during the visit.
The D5FUAA cabinet, the heart of air circulation
The D5FUAAH48XAK cabinet houses the indoor coil and the blower that moves air through the entire duct system. It is installed where the old furnace stood and connects to the supply plenum, the air return and the condensate drain. A heat pump delivers air that is less hot than a furnace's, but it circulates it for longer, often almost continuously in cold weather.
In a large home, this extended circulation has a positive effect: air is mixed from one floor to the next, temperature differences shrink and air passes through the filter more often. The duct system still has to keep up. We check the main trunk, the branches, the air returns and the balance between levels, and list useful corrections in the quote.
Filtration, air exchanger and humidifier
The cabinet's filter becomes the home's main filter. We plan for an accessible filter rack in a common size, so that replacing it stays simple.
Many large homes also have an air exchanger connected to the duct system, and sometimes a humidifier mounted on the furnace. These units do not disappear with the furnace: during the visit, we note their connections and plan their reintegration into the new system, or let you know if they are better reconsidered. A properly connected air exchanger and a heat pump that circulates air continuously complement each other well.
Backup heat and electrical capacity
During deep cold, when the house loses more heat than the heat pump supplies, electric backup, usually housed in the cabinet, supplements the heating. In a home of this size, this backup and the outdoor unit together represent a significant electrical load.
Before the quote, we therefore check the capacity of the electrical service and the space in the panel, taking the home's other large appliances into account. If an upgrade is needed, it is included in the written quote. We size the backup heat from the load calculation and set the thermostat so it only comes on when needed.
Certified ratings and winter data
- At -8 °C (17 °F): 39,500 BTU/h, with a COP of 2.60.
- At -15 °C (5 °F): 46,000 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.90, about 96% of the nominal size.
- At -30 °C: 25,900 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.33.
The -8 °C and -15 °C points are measured separately; we report each one as published. These figures come from certificate AHRI 215318892, published by NEEP. COP compares the heat delivered with the electricity used: an electric baseboard has a COP of 1, and this heat pump stays above it down to -30 °C.
The seasonal ratings complete the picture. The HSPF2 of 9.5 measures efficiency over the whole heating season, the one that weighs most on the bill. The SEER2 of 16.5 measures cooling efficiency over a typical summer, and the EER2 of 10.5 measures full-load efficiency on a hot day.
Summer and the humidity of a large basement
A large finished basement is often the dampest part of a house in summer. A central system that runs for long periods at low speed removes that humidity over the hours, instead of cooling the air in bursts. The upstairs bedrooms, for their part, receive cool air through the existing registers, provided the upstairs air return is sufficient. Condensate drains from the cabinet to a floor drain or a condensate pump.
Variable speed and R-454B
The variable-speed (inverter) compressor adjusts its speed to demand. In a large home, it spends most of the year at part load, where its efficiency is at its best, and only reaches full capacity on extreme days.
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 refrigeration technicians apply.
The $4,740 LogisVert grant
The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $4,740 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 D5CUHAH48AAK outdoor unit and the D5FUAAH48XAK 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 by AirGreen
The installation steps
- Visit: load calculation, inspection of the duct system, survey of the air exchanger and humidifier, check of the electrical service.
- Written quote: size, backup heat, electrical work and corrections to the duct system.
- Indoor unit: removal of the furnace, installation of the D5FUAA cabinet, connection to the plenum, air return, drain and existing equipment.
- Outdoor unit: suitable stand or bracket, above the snow line, with enough clearance all around and away from roof drip.
- Refrigerant circuit: insulated copper line set, brazing, pressure test and vacuum.
- Electrical: dedicated circuit, outdoor disconnect, backup heat and thermostat.
- Commissioning: charge, airflow, balancing, defrost, backup heat, then an explanation of the settings.
Maintenance
Check the cabinet's filter every month in season and replace it according to its format; in a large home, it loads up faster than you might think. Maintain the air exchanger according to its manufacturer's recommendations. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, without covering it. Annual HVAC maintenance cleans the coils and checks the drain, the electrical connections and the backup heat. The white vapour 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 the Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUAA) - R454B. We assess the home room by room, survey your ventilation equipment, check the electrical service and confirm your grant eligibility before signing.