Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE HSH6 Premium | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

Heat and cool a large home through its ducts, with an installation designed for winter

A central heat pump is judged as much by its installation as by its equipment. In a large home with ductwork, the outdoor unit works outside twelve months a year, under snow, freezing rain and the July sun. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE HSH6 Premium | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the HSH648GKA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit, an air handler that pushes air through the existing duct system.

This pairing from Arcoaire's Premium range is offered while supplies last. This page focuses on what happens outside the house: the location, the stand, defrost water and the connections.

A 4-ton central heat pump, for which homes

The 4-ton size typically targets large homes with ducts: a two-level home with bedrooms above a garage, a spread-out single-storey home with a finished basement, or an enlarged home whose duct system serves many rooms. These are typical examples; floor area alone does not decide.

We confirm the size with a room-by-room load calculation, taking into account insulation, windows and airtightness. An oversized unit runs short cycles and dehumidifies poorly; an undersized one calls on the backup heat more often. If the calculation points to another size, we recommend it.

What the certificate shows

The pairing of the HSH648GKA outdoor unit and the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit carries certificate AHRI 210448576, issued under the former test method, which predates SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings. Its ratings are not directly comparable to the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings of recent units, so we do not mix them with those. We confirm during the visit the ratings that apply to the installed system.

What this means for your project

This page therefore publishes no efficiency rating for this pairing. If you are comparing several systems, we present you with data measured the same way, so the comparison holds. The confirmed ratings are also used to check grant eligibility before signing.

What does not change is the way we size and install the system: load calculation, duct inspection, choice of the outdoor location and sizing of the backup heat are done the same way, whatever the certificate.

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.

How the system heats and cools

In winter, the HSH648GKA outdoor unit captures the heat contained in the outdoor air; the R-410A refrigerant carries it to the coil of the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit, whose blower distributes it through the ducts. In summer, a reversing valve flips the cycle: heat is captured inside the house and released outdoors, and the coil removes moisture from the air at the same time.

The indoor unit takes the place of the old furnace or air handler. It also holds the filter and receives the backup heat. Warm or cool air comes out of the existing registers, with no visible equipment in the rooms, and a single thermostat controls everything.

In deep cold, the backup heat

This pairing is a conventional central heat pump; it is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump. Its heating capacity decreases with the outdoor temperature. In deep cold, the air handler's backup heat, or the existing furnace in an installation that keeps it, takes over. The thermostat runs the heat pump first and only calls on the backup when necessary.

In a home that needs 4 tons, the backup heat represents a significant electrical load. We size it according to the load calculation, then check that it can run at the same time as the heat pump without exceeding the panel's capacity. This check is part of the visit, not a bad surprise on installation day.

An installation designed for Quebec winters

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.

Where to place the outdoor unit

The right location is decided during the visit, by looking at the house in winter as much as in summer. We avoid spots where snow builds up in drifts, the area under a roof without a gutter where snow and ice fall, and corners where the wind packs snow against the wall. We take into account the dryer vent, bedroom windows, the property line and access for maintenance.

A unit of this size needs air: it must be able to draw in and discharge air freely, without being squeezed under a deck or behind a dense hedge. A well-chosen location keeps it efficient and easy to maintain throughout its service life.

Ground stand or wall bracket

In every case, the outdoor unit is raised above the snow line. Depending on the site, we set it on a ground stand, stable and level, or on a wall bracket fastened to the structure. A ground stand is often preferable near bedrooms, because it avoids transmitting vibrations to the wall. A wall bracket frees up the yard and is sometimes the only option when space is tight.

Defrost water and the condensate drain

In winter, the outdoor unit defrosts periodically; white vapour rises from it and meltwater runs under the unit. This water must drain away freely, without forming ice that builds up toward the coil or an icy patch on a walkway. We take this into account when choosing the location and the height of the stand.

Indoors, the air handler produces condensate in summer. The drain is connected to a compliant discharge point, with its slope checked; if there is no floor drain nearby, we plan a condensate pump.

Line set and electrical connection

The copper line set connects the two units. It is insulated along its full length, protected where it runs along the wall, and the penetration through the foundation or wall is sealed against air and water. It is evacuated and checked before the refrigerant is released.

The heat pump is fed by a dedicated circuit, and the backup heat by its own circuit. During the visit, we check that the electrical panel has the capacity needed for both; if work is required, it appears in the quote.

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. When clearing snow, do not throw it toward the outdoor unit, and clear the unit by hand after a storm.

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 HSH6 Premium | 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.

Offered while supplies last.

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