Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE HSH4 Premium | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

A large home with an electric furnace: keep the comfort, hand most of the heating to a heat pump

In a large home heated by an electric furnace, all the winter heating goes through resistance elements. A central heat pump changes that equation by handling most of the heating, and it adds cooling through the same ducts. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE HSH4 Premium | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the HSH460GKA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X60L0DB indoor unit, an air handler that pushes air through the existing duct system.

This pairing from Arcoaire's Premium range, in the 5-ton size, is offered while supplies last.

From an electric furnace to a central heat pump

An electric furnace turns electricity into heat, one unit for one unit. A heat pump moves the heat contained in the outdoor air indoors, which lets it deliver more energy than it consumes for most of the year. The electric elements do not disappear: they become the backup heat, reserved for periods when the heat pump is no longer enough.

The FJMA4X60L0DB indoor unit takes the place of the furnace. It houses the indoor coil, the blower that feeds the whole duct system, the filter and the backup elements. It connects to the existing supply plenum and air return, so the home's registers stay the same.

The old furnace's circuit

An electric furnace in a large home is already fed by a substantial circuit. Depending on its capacity and condition, that circuit can sometimes serve the new air handler's backup heat; we check this during the visit. The outdoor unit also needs its own dedicated circuit.

We therefore assess the panel's capacity for everything together: the heat pump, the backup heat and the rest of the house, on the coldest night of the year. If electrical work is needed, it appears in the written quote.

Five tons: a size to be confirmed

The 5-ton size typically targets the largest homes: a very spacious two-level home with a finished basement, a spread-out single-storey home with large glazed areas, or an enlarged home whose duct system serves many rooms. A large electric furnace does not automatically mean a five-ton heat pump is needed.

The room-by-room load calculation takes into account insulation, windows and airtightness. An oversized unit runs short cycles, dehumidifies poorly in summer and creates gaps between rooms. If the calculation points to a smaller size, we recommend it.

How the heat pump heats

In winter, the HSH460GKA outdoor unit captures the heat contained in cold air. The compressor concentrates it and the R-410A refrigerant carries it to the indoor unit's coil, where the blower releases it into the air of the house. In summer, a reversing valve flips the cycle to provide cooling.

When frost forms on the outdoor coil, the unit defrosts for a few minutes; a cloud of white vapour may then rise from it. This is normal, and the backup heat may come on briefly during that time to keep the supply air comfortable.

In deep cold, the elements go back to work

This pairing is a conventional central heat pump; it is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump. Its heating capacity drops with the outdoor temperature. In deep cold, the air handler's backup elements supplement the heat, as the furnace used to, but only for the share that is missing.

The thermostat, compatible with a heat pump, always runs the outdoor unit first. We size the backup heat according to the load calculation and list it in the quote.

Less hot air at the registers, but steadier

Owners of an electric furnace often notice a difference in the first week: the air coming out of the registers is less hot than before. This is normal. The heat pump heats the house with milder air that circulates for longer. The house warms more evenly, without bursts of very hot air followed by long pauses.

If the air feels cool to the touch, remember that it is still warmer than the room. A steady setpoint, without large nighttime setbacks, lets the heat pump do most of the work and avoids calling on the backup heat in the morning.

Summer, with cooling added

A home heated by an electric furnace does not always have central air conditioning. With this system, cool air travels in summer through the same ducts, up to the upstairs bedrooms. The indoor coil also removes moisture from the air; the water drains through the condensate drain to a discharge point.

Duct systems designed for an electric furnace sometimes have few registers upstairs, where summer heat builds up. We check this during the visit. Balancing done during commissioning, then adjusted between winter and summer, is often enough to keep the bedrooms comfortable without changing the size.

System ratings

The pairing of the HSH460GKA outdoor unit and the FJMA4X60L0DB indoor unit is not listed with SEER2 ratings in the AHRI certification directory. We therefore publish no efficiency rating for this pairing. We confirm the ratings of the complete system before the quote; they also determine grant eligibility.

If certified ratings matter in your decision, we will show you during the visit pairings of the same size that are listed in the directory, so you can compare on a clear basis.

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 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.

The duct system and the job, at five tons

An electric furnace and a heat pump do not have the same airflow requirements. Because the heat pump blows milder air, it must move more of it to heat the house. A duct system that suited the furnace may therefore turn out to be tight, especially at the air return. We measure it before the quote and list the necessary corrections.

• Duct system: at this size, airflow is high; we check the main ducts and the number of air returns on each level.
• Outdoor unit: solid stand above the snow line, away from snow sliding off the roof and with clear access for maintenance.
• Line set: insulated, evacuated and checked before the refrigerant is released.
• Commissioning: charge, temperatures, airflow, backup heat and thermostat, then an explanation of the settings.

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. At this size, the blower moves a lot of air: a clogged filter quickly affects comfort, so check it every month during the first season.

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 HSH4 Premium | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A. We assess the home room by room and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.

Offered while supplies last.

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