Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE H4H5S ION | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A
A 2.5-ton central heat pump, sized for summer as well as winter
Choosing a central heat pump means choosing one unit for two seasons that do not ask for the same thing. In summer, it has to cool without leaving humidity behind; in winter, it has to heat for months. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE H4H5S ION | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the H4H5S30AKAAA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X30L0BB cabinet, which pushes air through the existing duct system.
Its certified ratings are 14.3 SEER2, 12.0 EER2 and 7.5 HSPF2, and its certificate publishes heating capacities at -8 °C and -15 °C.
Which homes
The 2.5-ton size is aimed at good-sized homes that already have ducts: a split-level house, a renovated two-storey house from the seventies, a large single-storey house with a basement, a wide two-level semi-detached house. In these homes, it handles the cooling of every room served and most of the heating.
These are examples, not a rule. The size is confirmed with a room-by-room load calculation that takes into account the home's insulation, windows, orientation and airtightness. A split-level house calls for particular attention to the ducts serving each half-level; a large single-storey house, to the length of the ducts leading to the far rooms.
The 2.5-ton ION pairing
The H4H5S30AKAAA outdoor unit holds the compressor, the outdoor coil and its fan. The FJMA4X30L0BB cabinet is an air handler that takes the place of the old electric furnace: it houses the indoor coil, the blower and the backup electric heating elements. The two units, certified together, are linked by an insulated copper refrigerant line and run on R-410A.
The thermostat completes the system: designed for a heat pump with backup, it decides at every moment which heat source to use. We supply it, connect it and set it up with you at commissioning.
The sizing trade-off
In a Quebec home, heating needs in the depth of winter far exceed cooling needs at the height of summer. If you chose a conventional heat pump big enough to heat on its own on the coldest nights, it would be much too big in summer: it would cool the house in a few minutes, stop, and leave humidity in the air.
The right approach is to choose a size that cools properly in summer and heats on its own through most of the cold season, then to leave to the cabinet's backup elements the share that the heat pump cannot supply in deep cold. That is what a central system with an air handler allows: one unit, two heat sources, and a thermostat that makes the heat pump work first.
In a well-insulated house, the share left to the backup stays modest; in a house that loses a lot of heat, it grows. That is where better attic insulation or better-sealed windows make themselves felt, on top of the heat pump.
What the certificate shows
The certificate lists 17,400 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F) and 13,300 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), with a COP of 2.10 at -15 °C. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.
Compared with the nominal size of 30,000 BTU, the listed capacity represents about 58% at -8 °C and 44% at -15 °C. At -15 °C, the heat pump still delivers about twice the energy it uses, but it supplies less than half of its nominal capacity; the backup then covers the rest.
These figures come from certificate AHRI 210998732, as published in the AHRI certification directory.
What the backup covers
The cabinet's backup elements come on when the heat pump alone is no longer enough, in deep cold, and briefly during a defrost to keep the air blown into the rooms comfortable. They switch off as soon as the heat pump is enough again. Their capacity is chosen from the load calculation: enough to keep the house comfortable on the coldest nights.
Since they are the largest electrical load in the system, we also check what the panel can deliver. Everything related to the electrical work appears in the written quote.
What changes compared with an electric furnace
- The air at the grilles is warm rather than very hot; the heat is gentler and steadier.
- Cycles are longer: the system runs longer, but with smaller temperature swings.
- An outdoor unit runs in winter; it must stay clear of snow.
- Defrost sometimes produces a cloud of white vapour above the outdoor unit; this is normal.
- The thermostat must be designed for a heat pump with backup, and a steady set point gives the best results.
- Cooling is included: the same system cools and dries the air in summer.
The ratings, plainly
The SEER2 of 14.3 measures cooling efficiency over a full summer; the EER2 of 12.0, cooling efficiency at full demand on a hot day. The HSPF2 of 7.5 measures heating efficiency over a season; it takes into account the periods when the backup supplements the heat pump. COP is read at a specific temperature: an electric baseboard is at 1, this pairing at 2.10 at the -15 °C point.
These are the ratings of a conventional system. If you are aiming for higher ratings or a grant, we will also show you pairings of comparable size that meet those goals.
LogisVert
This pairing does not carry an amount on Hydro-Québec's LogisVert list of October 19, 2026. If the grant matters for your project, we will point you to an eligible pairing of comparable size.
Installation by AirGreen
Before the quote
The cabinet takes the place of the old furnace and connects to the existing duct system. We check duct sizes and the air return, because a central heat pump only delivers its full efficiency if the airflow keeps up. We also choose the outdoor unit's location: above the snow line, away from roof drips, dryer vents and bedroom windows.
The job
- Removal of the old electric furnace and, where applicable, the old air conditioner, with recovery of the refrigerant.
- Installation of the FJMA4X cabinet, connection to the plenum and return air, condensate drain to a floor drain or a pump.
- Installation of the outdoor unit on a stand or a wall bracket.
- Refrigerant line in insulated copper, brazing, pressure test and vacuum.
- Electrical: dedicated circuit, outdoor disconnect, power to the backup and thermostat.
- Commissioning: refrigerant charge, airflow, test of the defrost and the backup, thermostat setup, then an explanation of how everything works.
Maintenance and warranty
Check the cabinet filter every month in season and replace it according to its format. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow, ice and leaves, and do not cover it in winter. Plan annual HVAC maintenance of the coils, the condensate drain, the electrical connections and the backup.
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 H4H5S ION | 2.5 Tons - 30,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A. We assess the home room by room and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.