Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE R4H5S Economy | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A

Replace a large home's central system before it gives out in the middle of winter

In a large home with ductwork, the central system is often replaced in a rush, on the day it breaks down. It is better to plan it. The Central Heat Pump ARCOAIRE R4H5S Economy | 5 Tons - 60,000 BTU (Air Handler FJMA4X) - R410A pairs the R4H5S60AKAAA outdoor unit with the FJMA4X60L0DB indoor unit, an air handler that pushes air through the existing duct system. Like any central heat pump, it provides cooling and most of the heating.

Its ratings are 14.3 SEER2, 12.0 EER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. This page explains how to prepare a replacement at this size, what the certificate says and how the installation unfolds.

Signs that a central system is reaching the end of its life

• Age: a system that has already been through many winters is nearing the end of its service life, even if it still works.
• Repeated repairs: when service calls follow one another, replacement often becomes the more reasonable choice.
• An old refrigerant: some old systems use a refrigerant that is no longer produced, which complicates every repair.
• Temperature gaps that are more and more noticeable between rooms or levels.
• New noises, hard starts or abnormally short cycles.

None of these signs alone calls for a replacement. Together, they indicate that it is time to plan before the decision is made by a breakdown.

Plan rather than endure

A planned replacement leaves time to do things in order: load calculation, duct inspection, electrical panel check, comparison of pairings and a written quote. A breakdown in January, in a home that needs five tons, leaves no such time. The shoulder seasons, spring and fall, are the best times to replace a central system, because the house can do without heating or cooling during the work.

Planning also makes it possible to correct the duct system at the same time as the unit, to schedule any electrical work, and to check the grant eligibility of the different pairings before signing. These are decisions that are hard to make well under the pressure of a house that is getting colder.

The 5-ton size is recalculated

The size of the old system is not a reliable reference. The house may have been insulated, its windows replaced, its basement finished; the old unit may have been poorly sized from the start. The 5-ton size typically targets very large homes: two spacious levels with a finished basement, a very spread-out single-storey home, or a home enlarged several times.

The room-by-room load calculation confirms the size. If it points to a smaller size, we recommend it: an oversized system runs short cycles, dehumidifies poorly and creates gaps between rooms.

What the certificate shows

The certificate lists 35,800 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F) and 28,200 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), with a COP of 2.28 at the -15 °C point. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 210999089, as published in the AHRI certification directory, for the pairing of the R4H5S60AKAAA outdoor unit and the FJMA4X60L0DB indoor unit.

What the ratings say about the bill

The HSPF2 of 7.5 measures seasonal heating efficiency over a typical winter; it is the most important rating for a home that is heated for a good part of the year. The SEER2 of 14.3 does the same for cooling over a typical summer, and the EER2 of 12.0 measures efficiency on a hot day, at full demand.

The COP compares the heat delivered with the electricity consumed, at a given temperature. An electric baseboard has a COP of 1; with a COP of 2.28 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 measured the same way; actual consumption depends on the house and its setpoints.

Winter: the heat pump's share and the backup's share

At -8 °C, the listed capacity represents about 60% of the 60,000 BTU nominal size; at -15 °C, about 47%. This pairing is a conventional central heat pump; it is not listed as a cold-climate heat pump. In deep cold, the air handler's backup heat, or the existing furnace in an installation that keeps it, supplements the heat.

The thermostat runs the heat pump first and only calls on the backup for the share that is missing. We size this backup from the load calculation and the certificate points.

Summer in a large home

In summer, a reversing valve flips the cycle: the indoor coil captures heat from the house and the R-410A refrigerant carries it to the outdoor unit. Cool air goes back through the ducts to the upstairs bedrooms, and the moisture removed from the air drains through the condensate drain.

If the old system left the upper floor too warm, the cause often lies in the duct system rather than the unit: insufficient air returns, poorly balanced registers. We check this before recommending a size, so as not to make up for a deficient duct system with a bigger unit.

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.

Installation day

We protect the floors and the path to the mechanical room, then remove the old indoor unit and the old outdoor unit, recovering the refrigerant according to the rules. Heating or cooling is interrupted during part of the work; we tell you in advance how the day will unfold.

The air handler is then installed on the plenum and return, with its backup elements, and the outdoor unit is set on its stand, above the snow line, away from snow sliding off the roof.

Connections and commissioning

• Line set insulated, evacuated and checked before the refrigerant is released.
• Condensate drain connected to a compliant discharge point.
• Electrical: dedicated circuit for the heat pump, supply for the backup heat, panel capacity checked during the visit.
• Commissioning: charge, temperatures, airflow, compatible 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. Regular maintenance is also the best way to push the next replacement as far off as possible.

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 | 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.

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