Central Heat Pump CONFORTO MHSD | 2 Tons - 24,000 BTU - R410A

Replace a bungalow's electric furnace and keep the ductwork

Many homes in Greater Montreal are heated by an electric furnace and a duct system installed decades ago. When that furnace reaches the end of its life, replacing it with another electric furnace means renewing the same bill. The Central Heat Pump CONFORTO MHSD | 2 Tons - 24,000 BTU - R410A offers another path: the MHAH124DACFC indoor unit takes the furnace's place and connects to the same ducts, while the MHSD124DACFC outdoor unit draws heat from the outdoor air.

The system shows 10.0 HSPF2 for seasonal heating, and 17.4 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3892546, its certificate still lists capacity at -30 °C, and it qualifies for a $2,304 LogisVert grant.

The bungalow with a basement, natural territory for the 2-ton size

The 2-ton size, or 24,000 BTU/h, often matches a bungalow with a basement, a split-level or a modest cottage: an open-plan main floor where kitchen, dining room and living room share the air, a few bedrooms, and a basement served by the same duct system. It is also a common size for a two-storey semi-detached house in Longueuil or Laval.

These examples are only indicative. A seventies bungalow whose walls were never re-insulated and a fully renovated bungalow do not have the same heat loss, even with the same floor area. The load calculation, which we do room by room during the visit, accounts for insulation, windows, orientation and the basement. That calculation confirms the size, not floor area alone.

What changes when the furnace gives way to a heat pump

An electric furnace turns electricity into heat one for one: one kilowatt-hour used gives one kilowatt-hour of heat, a COP of 1. A heat pump moves heat from outdoors to indoors instead. Its variable-speed (inverter) compressor adjusts its speed to demand, and the R-410A refrigerant carries the heat captured outside to the indoor unit's coil.

You feel the difference in the house too. The air coming out of the registers is less hot than with a furnace, but it circulates longer and more evenly. No more blasts of very hot air followed by long pauses: the temperature stays steady from hour to hour and from room to room, provided the duct system is in good condition.

Heating in certified figures

• At -8 °C (17 °F): 19,200 BTU/h, with a COP of 2.50.
• At -15 °C (5 °F): 22,600 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.91, about 94% of the nominal size.
• At -30 °C: 13,400 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.41.

The -8 °C and -15 °C points are measured separately; we report each one as published. These figures come from certificate AHRI 216683749, published by NEEP. Even at -30 °C, the heat pump still delivers more heat than the electricity it uses, which no electric furnace can do.

The 10.0 HSPF2 rating and the other ratings

For a home moving away from an electric furnace, the first rating to look at is HSPF2: it measures efficiency over the whole heating season, accounting for mild days, cold days and defrost. At 10.0 HSPF2, this system turns each kilowatt-hour into far more heat than a furnace would over a full winter.

The cooling ratings complete the picture: 17.4 SEER2 for efficiency over a typical summer, and 11.7 EER2 for full-load efficiency on a hot day. All three ratings are measured under standardized protocols, which makes it possible to compare systems from different brands on the same basis.

The MHAH124DACFC indoor unit

The MHAH124DACFC air handler contains the indoor coil and the blower that pushes air through the duct system. It is installed where the furnace stood, usually in the basement, and connects to the existing supply plenum and air return. Its condensate drain is routed to a floor drain or a pump.

During deep cold, backup heat usually comes from electric heating elements housed in the indoor unit. The difference from the old furnace is that these elements now only serve as a supplement, when the heat pump is no longer enough. We size them from the load calculation and set the thermostat so they only come on when needed.

Central air conditioning as a bonus

A home that only had a furnace gains central air conditioning at the same time. In summer, the system cools every room served by the ducts, bedrooms included, with no window units. The compressor slows down once the set point is reached, which keeps the air cool without short cycles and removes moisture over the hours, a real advantage on heavy July days.

On an open-plan main floor, cool air spreads easily; in closed bedrooms, the air return makes the difference. We check it before proposing the system.

The $2,304 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $2,304 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. The amount corresponds to the certified pairing of the MHSD124DACFC outdoor unit and the MHAH124DACFC indoor unit; we install exactly this pairing.

We confirm eligibility before signing and prepare the detailed invoice, model numbers and proof of payment. Our page on the efficient heat pump grant summarizes the program's conditions.

Installation by AirGreen

What we check in the ductwork

A duct system designed for an electric furnace is not always ready for a heat pump, which moves more air for longer. During the visit, we examine the main ducts and branches, the condition of the joints, the number and location of the registers, the air return and the filter location. A crushed duct in a basement ceiling, an undersized return or leaky joints are enough to leave a bedroom without heat. When a correction is needed, it is included in the quote, before signing.

The job, step by step

After the load calculation and the written quote, the installation begins by disconnecting and removing the electric furnace. The air handler takes its place and connects to the plenum, the air return and the drain. Outside, the outdoor unit is mounted on a wall bracket or a stand, above the snow line, away from roof drip and walkways.

The insulated copper line set then links the two units; we braze the joints, perform the pressure test and pull a vacuum before opening the valves. The electrical connection is made on a dedicated circuit, with an outdoor disconnect, and the thermostat is replaced or wired in. Commissioning checks the refrigerant charge, airflow, defrost and backup heat operation, and then we explain the settings to you.

Maintenance

Check the indoor unit's filter every month in season and replace it according to its format. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves and do not cover it in winter. Plan annual HVAC maintenance: coil cleaning, and a check of the condensate drain, the electrical connections and the backup heat. In winter, the white vapour during defrost is normal.

Warranty

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 CONFORTO MHSD | 2 Tons - 24,000 BTU - R410A. We assess the home room by room, check your ductwork, and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.