Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE R4H5S Economy | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

A cool, dry summer throughout the house, with a system that also heats in winter

In a large home with ductwork, central air conditioning remains the most discreet way to cool every room at once. With a central heat pump, the same system also handles most of the heating. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE R4H5S Economy | 4 Tons - 48,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the R4H5S48AKAAA 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. We start with summer, because that is often what drives the project, then explain what the certificate says about winter.

Central cooling, from basement to attic

In cooling mode, the indoor unit's coil captures heat from the air in the house; the R-410A refrigerant carries it to the outdoor unit, which releases it outside. The cooled air goes back into the ducts and comes out of the registers in each room, with no visible equipment in the bedrooms or the living room.

For a large home, this is a clear advantage: one thermostat, one filter, one outdoor unit, and a temperature that holds from room to room if the duct system is well designed. In winter, a reversing valve flips the cycle and the same system heats.

What 14.3 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 mean

• SEER2 (14.3): seasonal cooling efficiency, measured over a typical summer, with its mild days and its hot days.
• EER2 (12.0): efficiency at full demand, on a hot day. It is the rating that says the most about heat waves, when cooling runs for long periods.

In both cases, the higher the figure, the less cooling weighs on the bill for the same amount of cooling. These ratings are used to compare systems with each other; actual consumption then depends on the house, its sun exposure and the setpoint chosen.

Removing humidity, not just heat

Much of the discomfort of a Quebec summer comes from humidity. As it passes over the cold coil, the air in the house leaves its moisture behind, which condenses and drains through the condensate drain. The longer the cycles, the more water the system removes: one more reason to choose the right size rather than an oversized one.

A simple tip for muggy days: leave the thermostat's fan on automatic rather than continuous. In continuous mode, air passing over the coil between cycles can bring back into the house some of the water still on it. A finished basement benefits in particular.

The upstairs bedrooms

In a two-level home, the bedrooms under the roof are the hardest to keep cool. Heat from the roof, warm air rising and registers that are often too small upstairs add up. The answer rarely lies in a bigger unit; it lies in the duct system: enough airflow upstairs, returns on the upper floor, dampers set correctly.

We examine these points during the visit and propose useful corrections in the quote. During commissioning, we do an initial balancing, which you can adjust between summer and winter.

Homes suited to the 4-ton size

This size typically suits a large two-level home with bedrooms under the eaves, a split-level extended by a heavily glazed four-season room, or a spread-out single-storey home with a finished basement. West-facing glass weighs heavily on the summer load.

The room-by-room load calculation takes into account insulation, windows, shading and airtightness. We recommend the size it justifies, even if it is a different one.

Why the pairing matters

The ratings of a central system belong to a specific pairing, not to the outdoor unit alone. The R4H5S48AKAAA outdoor unit houses the compressor, the outdoor coil and the fan; the FJMA4X48L0CB indoor unit houses the indoor coil, the blower that feeds the duct system and the filter. It is this combination that was measured and certified.

Combining the same outdoor unit with another coil, or keeping an old coil sitting on a furnace, would give other results, which no one has measured. That is why we install the pairing exactly as it appears on the certificate.

Winter, according to the certificate

On the heating side, the HSPF2 of 7.5 gives the seasonal efficiency. The certificate also 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. A COP of 2.16 means that at that temperature, the heat pump delivers more than twice the electrical energy it consumes.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 210999065, as published in the AHRI certification directory, for the R4H5S48AKAAA and FJMA4X48L0CB pairing.

Backup heat for deep cold

This pairing is a conventional central heat pump; it is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump. Its capacity decreases as the cold intensifies, as the two certificate points show. In deep cold, the air handler's backup heat, or the existing furnace in an installation that keeps it, supplements the heat.

We size this backup from the load calculation and the certified points, and we check that the electrical panel can supply it. The thermostat always runs the heat pump first.

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.

What cooling asks of the ducts

A duct system originally designed for a furnace was not always planned for cooling. Cool air needs enough airflow, and ducts that run through an unconditioned space, such as a garage or an attic, must be insulated to prevent condensation on their surfaces. We check these points along with duct sizes and the air return.

• Visit: load calculation, inspection of the duct system and the electrical panel.
• Installation: air handler on the plenum and return, outdoor unit on a stand.
• Connections: line set insulated, evacuated and checked; condensate drain to a compliant discharge point.
• Commissioning: charge, temperatures, airflow, balancing and thermostat.

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 the start of summer, check that the outdoor coil is not covered with poplar fluff or grass clippings: rinse it gently with a garden hose, without pressure.

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 R4H5S Economy | 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.