Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE N4H5S Performance | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A
Comfort for an entire large home, delivered through a single duct system
In a large home, heating and cooling play out over several levels and long distances: from the cabinet in the basement to the bedroom at the end of the upstairs hallway. A central heat pump connected to the existing ducts serves all these rooms with one unit and one thermostat. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE N4H5S Performance | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the N4H5S36AKAAA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X36L0BB cabinet, which pushes air through the duct system.
Its certified ratings are 14.3 SEER2, 12.0 EER2 and 7.5 HSPF2.
For large homes with ducts
The 3-ton size is meant for roomy homes that already have ducts: a two-storey house with a finished basement, a large enlarged bungalow, a detached house from the two-thousands with many rooms. In these homes, it handles the cooling of every room served and most of the heating.
The exact size is confirmed with a room-by-room load calculation. A large, well-insulated home may need less; an older, heavily glazed or leaky home may approach the limit of this size. We decide during the visit.
One system for three levels
The cabinet, installed in the basement, feeds the basement, the main floor and the upper floor through the same duct system. Each level has different needs: the basement stays cool, the main floor gets the afternoon sun, the upper floor builds up heat in summer. A well-designed central system shares out the air according to these needs, with balancing dampers and return air on each level.
One system also means one filter, one annual maintenance visit and one thermostat to set. In a large home, it is the simplest way to heat and cool every room with the same unit.
Air distribution in a large home
The larger the house, the more the duct system matters. A 3-ton heat pump moves a large volume of air; the main trunk, the branches and above all the return air must be able to let it through. The rooms at the end of long branches are the first to run short of air if the duct system is too small or leaky.
- The main trunk must be sized for the heat pump's airflow, not only for that of an old furnace.
- Return air should exist on each level, or at least on the main and upper floors.
- Long branches must be sealed and, if they cross an unheated space, insulated.
- Balancing dampers set each level's share according to the season.
A central heat pump only delivers its full efficiency if the airflow keeps up. What we find during the visit, and what needs correcting, appears in the quote.
The N4H5S pairing and the FJMA4X cabinet
The N4H5S36AKAAA outdoor unit holds the compressor, the outdoor coil and its fan. The FJMA4X36L0BB cabinet is an air handler: it houses the indoor coil, the blower that pushes air through the ducts and the backup electric heating elements. It takes the place of the old electric furnace and connects to the plenum and return air. The two units, certified together, run on R-410A: in winter, the refrigerant captures heat from the outdoor air and delivers it to the cabinet; in summer, a reversing valve turns the cycle around.
What the certificate shows
The certificate lists 20,400 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F) and 15,800 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), with a COP of 2.02 at -15 °C. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.
Compared with the nominal size of 36,000 BTU, the listed capacity represents about 57% at -8 °C and 44% at -15 °C. The heat pump keeps heating at about twice the efficiency of a baseboard at -15 °C, but a large home then asks for more heat than it supplies; the backup makes up the difference.
These figures come from certificate AHRI 210998836, as published in the AHRI certification directory.
Backup heat for a large home and electrical capacity
In a large home, the cabinet's backup elements are a significant electrical load. They take over in deep cold for the share the heat pump cannot supply, then switch off when it is enough again. Their capacity must cover the coldest nights, but it must also fit within what the electrical service and panel can deliver.
During the visit, we take stock: capacity of the electrical service, space in the panel, existing loads such as the water heater, range, dryer, a spa or a charging station. The outdoor unit's dedicated circuit and the cabinet's supply are added to that assessment. If a change is needed, it appears in the written quote, before signing.
The ratings, one by one
- SEER2 (14.3): seasonal cooling efficiency, over a whole summer.
- EER2 (12.0): cooling efficiency at full demand, on a heat-wave day.
- HSPF2 (7.5): seasonal heating efficiency, the rating that weighs most on the bill of a large Quebec home.
- COP (2.02 at -15 °C): the heat delivered for each unit of electricity used at that temperature; a baseboard is at 1.
Summer in a large home
In summer, the cabinet cools the air and removes humidity, which flows out through the condensate drain. Every room served is cooled, with no window unit. Upstairs, the heat built up under the roof calls for more cool air; we set the dampers to send more of it upstairs during the hot season.
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
The job
- Visit and load calculation: survey of each room on each level, inspection of the duct system and the electrical panel.
- Removal of the old electric furnace and the old air conditioner, with recovery of the refrigerant.
- FJMA4X cabinet: connection to the plenum and return air, condensate drain to a floor drain or a pump.
- Outdoor unit: on a stand or a bracket, above the snow line, away from roof drips and dryer vents.
- Refrigerant line: insulated copper, brazing, pressure test and vacuum.
- Electrical: dedicated circuit, outdoor disconnect, power to the backup and thermostat.
- Commissioning: refrigerant charge, airflow, defrost, balancing between the three levels, 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; in a large home, it loads up faster. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, and do not cover it in winter. Plan annual HVAC maintenance of the coils, the condensate drain and the electrical connections. In winter, the white vapour during defrost is normal.
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 N4H5S Performance | 3 Tons - 36,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A. We assess the home room by room and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.