Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUHA 60 000) - R454B

A 5-ton system that keeps working on the coldest nights

In a very large home, it is the nights of deep cold that put a central system to the test. According to its certificate, the Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Compact Quiet Comfort | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUHA 60,000) - R454B stands out precisely at that moment. It pairs the D5CUHAH60AAK outdoor unit with the matching-size D5FUHAH60XAK cabinet, which replaces the furnace and supplies the entire existing duct system.

Its certified ratings are 17.5 SEER2, 12.0 EER2 and 9.5 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3560731 and qualifies for a $5,400 LogisVert grant. It runs on R-454B, the new-generation refrigerant.

At -30 °C, still 37,300 BTU/h

At -30 °C, the certificate lists 37,300 BTU/h with a COP of 1.69, about 62% of the 60,000 BTU/h nominal size. In other words, on the coldest nights of winter, the heat pump still supplies a large share of the home's heat, delivering more than one and a half times the energy it uses. An electric baseboard, by comparison, has a COP of 1.

The other points point the same way: 45,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F) with a COP of 2.50, and 54,000 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F) with a COP of 1.90. These two points are measured separately; we report each one as published. Over the whole heating season, efficiency is summed up by the HSPF2 of 9.5. These figures come from certificate AHRI 215318894, published by NEEP.

Mornings of deep cold

The January mornings when the thermometer plunges are also those when electricity demand is highest in Quebec. In a home heated by a central heat pump, that is when the electric backup works the most. A heat pump that keeps good capacity at very low temperatures reduces the share of that backup precisely during those hours.

For a very large home, the effect is far from trivial: the backup heat of a system this size represents a significant load. The more the heat pump covers, the less the backup needs to step in, and the more comfortable the house stays without unnecessary power draw.

Which homes it suits

The 5-ton size, or 60,000 BTU/h, is meant for very large homes or homes with high heat loss: a large wind-exposed residence on the North Shore, an enlarged family home in Laval, an older three-level Montreal house with many windows.

Such a size is justified by the load calculation, room by room and floor by floor, never by the size of the old unit. After insulation work or new windows, a home may need less; in some large homes, two smaller systems serve better than one. We present the option that fits during the visit.

The D5FUHA cabinet and the duct system

The D5FUHAH60XAK cabinet houses the indoor coil and the blower that moves air through the whole house. It is installed where the old furnace stood and connects to the supply plenum, the air returns and the condensate drain. We set its airflow during commissioning, for both heating and cooling.

A system of this size moves a lot of air. The main trunk, the branches and above all the returns have to keep up: in a very large home, several returns are often needed, including one upstairs. We examine the duct system end to end and list the necessary corrections in the quote.

Backup heat and the electrical service

Even with good cold-weather capacity, a very large home needs electric backup for the coldest nights. It is usually housed in the cabinet and sized from the load calculation. Together, the outdoor unit and the backup require a sufficient electrical service, which also has to supply the range, the water heater, the dryer and sometimes an EV charger.

During the visit, we check the service capacity and the space in the panel. Any necessary electrical work is included in the written quote. The thermostat is set so that backup heat only comes on when needed.

Summer: 17.5 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2

SEER2 measures cooling efficiency over a typical summer, and EER2 at full load, on a very hot day. At 12.0 EER2, this system stays efficient during heat waves, when a large home demands the most cooling.

The rest of the time, it runs for long periods at low speed, which removes moisture instead of only cooling the air. A large finished basement stays drier, and the upstairs bedrooms more comfortable. 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. A system of this size spends most of the year well below its full capacity, where it is most efficient, and only speeds up 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. Its installation requirements take into account the refrigerant charge and the room housing the indoor unit; our refrigeration technicians apply them at every step.

The $5,400 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $5,400 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 D5CUHAH60AAK outdoor unit and the D5FUHAH60XAK 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

An installation designed for winter

A heat pump that works in deep cold has to be installed accordingly. The outdoor unit is mounted on a stand or bracket suited to its weight, above the snow line and above the drifts that form along wind-exposed walls, away from roof drip. Defrost water must be able to drain without freezing on a walkway, and the unit must remain accessible for snow clearing and maintenance.

Inside, the furnace is removed and the D5FUHA cabinet takes its place, connected to the plenum, the air returns and the condensate drain. 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, balancing, defrost and backup heat; we then explain the settings to you.

Maintenance

After each storm, clear the snow around the outdoor unit and check that ice is not blocking the coil, without ever covering it. Check the cabinet's filter every month in season and replace it according to its format. Annual HVAC maintenance, ideally in the fall, cleans the coils and checks the condensate drain, the electrical connections and the backup heat before winter begins. 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 | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler D5FUHA 60,000) - R454B. We assess the home room by room, check the duct system and the electrical service, and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.