Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE H4H5S ION | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

A heating season entrusted to the heat pump, with backup heat only when needed

In a large home with ductwork, a central heat pump provides all the cooling and most of the heating over the year. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE H4H5S ION | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the H4H5S48AKAAA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit, an air handler that pushes air through the existing duct system.

Its ratings are 14.3 SEER2, 12.0 EER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. This page follows the system through a Quebec winter, from October to April, to show what it does on its own and when the backup heat steps in.

Fall and spring: the heat pump on its own

A good part of the heating season takes place at moderate temperatures: cool October nights, grey November days, the March and April thaw. That is where a heat pump is most at ease. It captures heat from the outdoor air, the compressor concentrates it and the indoor unit distributes it through the ducts: it moves heat instead of producing it.

During these periods, the heat pump covers the home's needs on its own, delivering more energy than it consumes. The system runs on R-410A, and a reversing valve lets the same unit cool in summer.

The heart of winter, according to the certificate

The certificate lists 29,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F) and 22,000 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), with a COP of 2.18 at the -15 °C point. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published. At these temperatures, the heat pump still heats, with reduced capacity compared with its nominal size: at -8 °C, the listed capacity represents about 60% of the 48,000 BTU size; at -15 °C, about 46%. The rest of the heat the house needs in that cold comes from the backup heat.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 210998750, as published in the AHRI certification directory, for the pairing of the H4H5S48AKAAA outdoor unit and the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit. This pairing is a conventional central heat pump; it is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump.

Your home's balance point

Every home has its balance point: the outdoor temperature at which what the heat pump delivers equals what the house loses. Above it, the heat pump is enough. Below it, it needs help, and the air handler's backup heat, or the existing electric furnace in an installation that keeps it, supplements the heat.

This point is not the same from one home to the next. A well-insulated, airtight home loses less heat, and the heat pump works alone there for longer into the winter. That is why we start from the load calculation to size the backup heat, rather than from a general rule.

Defrost, a normal part of operation

In cold, damp weather, frost forms on the outdoor unit's coil. The system then briefly reverses its cycle to melt it: the outdoor fan stops, white vapour rises and water runs under the unit. During this time, the backup heat may come on to avoid blowing lukewarm air into the house.

This is normal operation, designed by the manufacturer. For it to work well, the meltwater must be able to drain away: that is one of the reasons the outdoor unit is raised above the snow line.

Reading the heating and cooling ratings

• HSPF2 (7.5): seasonal heating efficiency over a typical winter. It is the most telling rating for a home that is heated for a good part of the year.
• COP (2.18 at -15 °C): the heat delivered divided by the electricity consumed, at a given temperature. An electric baseboard has a COP of 1; at this certificate point, the heat pump delivers more than twice the energy it consumes.
• SEER2 (14.3): seasonal cooling efficiency.
• EER2 (12.0): cooling efficiency on a hot day, at full demand.

These ratings are used to compare systems measured under the same protocols. Actual consumption then depends on the house and its setpoints.

Summer: cooling and dehumidification

In summer, the cycle reverses: the indoor coil captures heat from the house, the outdoor unit releases it outside, and cool air goes back through the ducts to the bedrooms. The coil also removes moisture from the air, which drains through the condensate drain. With a well-chosen size, cycles are long enough to dry the house.

During a heat wave, a steady setpoint gives better results than large swings. Letting the house heat up all day to cool it down all at once in the evening forces the system to catch up on the heat stored in the walls and furniture; a reasonable setpoint held day and night keeps the upper floor comfortable.

Homes suited to the 4-ton size

The 4-ton size typically suits large homes: a two-level cottage with four bedrooms and a finished basement, a spread-out single-storey home, or an enlarged home whose duct system serves many rooms. The room-by-room load calculation confirms the size based on insulation, windows and airtightness; if it points to another size, we recommend it.

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 in a ducted home

The indoor unit takes the place of the old electric furnace or air handler and connects to the existing duct system. Before the quote, we check duct sizes and the air return, because a central heat pump only delivers its full efficiency if the airflow keeps up. The outdoor unit goes on a stand, above the snow line, on a dedicated circuit.

Ducts, air return and thermostat

A heat pump blows air that is less hot than an electric furnace, but for longer. The duct system must let the necessary airflow through, otherwise the capacity delivered and the efficiency drop. We inspect the ducts and air return and list the corrections in the quote. The thermostat installed is compatible with a heat pump and its backup heat; we configure it during commissioning.

Electrical: the heat pump and the backup heat

The heat pump is fed by a dedicated circuit; the air handler's backup heat also needs its own. In a home of this size, together they represent a significant load for the panel. We check the available capacity during the visit and list any electrical work required in the quote. The line set is insulated, evacuated and checked, and the condensate drain is connected to a compliant discharge point.

Maintenance

Replace the system filter according to its format, keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, and plan annual HVAC maintenance of the coil, condensate drain and electrical connections. In winter, white vapour during defrost is normal. A fall maintenance visit, before the heating season, lets us check the backup heat and the thermostat before the first deep cold. During the winter, take a look at the outdoor unit after each storm: it must stay clear to breathe.

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 | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A. We assess the home room by room and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.

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