Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE N4H5S Performance | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

Certified ratings to heat and cool a large home through its ducts

In a large home that already has ductwork, a central heat pump handles all the cooling and most of the heating, with a single thermostat. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE N4H5S Performance | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the N4H5S48AKAAA 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 pairing is listed in the AHRI directory, which tells you precisely what it delivers in summer and in winter. This page explains those figures and what they mean for a home that needs 4 tons.

What the certificate shows

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 2.16 at the -15 °C point. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published, without extrapolating to other temperatures.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 210998884, as published in the AHRI certification directory. It is the complete pairing that is certified: the N4H5S48AKAAA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit. Another combination would have other ratings.

SEER2, EER2, HSPF2 and COP, in plain words

• SEER2 (14.3): seasonal cooling efficiency over a typical summer. The higher it is, the less cooling weighs on the summer bill.
• EER2 (12.0): cooling efficiency on a hot day, at full demand. It is the rating that counts during heat waves.
• HSPF2 (7.5): seasonal heating efficiency, the most telling rating for a home that is heated for a good part of the year.
• COP: the ratio between the heat delivered and the electricity consumed at a given temperature. An electric baseboard has a COP of 1; with a COP of 2.16 at -15 °C, the heat pump still delivers more than twice the energy it consumes at that point.

These ratings are used to compare systems with each other under standardized protocols. Actual consumption then depends on the house, its insulation and the setpoints chosen.

What the winter figures mean for a 4-ton home

At -8 °C, the listed capacity represents about 60% of the 48,000 BTU nominal size; at -15 °C, about 46%. This is the normal behaviour of a conventional central heat pump: the colder it is outside, the less heat it can extract from the air, while the house needs more. This pairing is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump.

In practice, the heat pump covers the home's needs on its own for a large part of the heating season. As the cold intensifies, there comes a point where its capacity is no longer enough: the air handler's backup heat, or the existing furnace in an installation that keeps it, then supplements the heat. The heat pump keeps working; the backup only adds what is missing.

Backup heat, a decision as important as the size

In a 4-ton home, the backup heat is not a detail. Its capacity must cover the gap between what the house loses in deep cold and what the heat pump still delivers. We calculate it from the load calculation and the certificate points, then check that the electrical panel can supply it at the same time as the heat pump.

The thermostat runs the heat pump first and only calls on the backup when the house needs it. To get the most out of it, avoid large nighttime setbacks in the middle of winter: the morning recovery calls on the backup longer than necessary.

Homes suited to the 4-ton size

The 4-ton size typically suits large homes with ducts: a two-level cottage with a finished basement, a very spread-out single-storey home, or an enlarged home whose duct system serves many rooms. These are typical examples; floor area alone is not enough.

The room-by-room load calculation takes into account wall and attic insulation, windows, airtightness and exposure. A large, recent, well-insulated home may need a smaller size; an older home may need this size even if it looks smaller. We recommend the size the calculation justifies.

Two matched units, one system

The N4H5S48AKAAA outdoor unit houses the compressor, the outdoor coil and the fan. The FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit holds the indoor coil, the blower that feeds the duct system and the filter; it takes the place of the old furnace or air handler. The two are connected by an insulated line set and run on R-410A.

In winter, the refrigerant captures heat from the outdoor air and releases it into the air of the house; in summer, a reversing valve flips the cycle. The heat pump moves heat instead of producing it, which explains COP values above 1.

Cooling and dehumidification

The EER2 of 12.0 measures efficiency when it is hot and demand is at its peak, that is, during heat waves, when cooling matters most. In a large home, cool air travels through the same ducts as the heat, up to the upstairs bedrooms.

The indoor coil also removes moisture from the air; the water drains through the condensate drain. A properly sized system runs cycles long enough to dry the house, which allows a reasonable summer setpoint without a clammy feeling.

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.

A duct system up to 4 tons

The certificate ratings are obtained with the airflow specified by the manufacturer. In a real home, that airflow depends on the duct system: undersized ducts or an insufficient air return reduce efficiency and the capacity delivered. At this size, it is often the return that limits. We measure the duct system and list the necessary corrections in the quote.

The installation steps

• Visit and load calculation, inspection of the ducts and the electrical panel.
• Installation of the air handler on the plenum and return, with the planned backup heat.
• Outdoor unit on a stand, above the snow line, away from snow sliding off the roof.
• Line set insulated, evacuated and checked; condensate drain connected.
• Electrical: dedicated circuit for the heat pump and supply for the backup heat.
• Commissioning: charge, temperatures, airflow, thermostat and 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. A clean coil and a clean filter are the two conditions for the system to stay close to its ratings year after year.

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 | 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.