TCL APEX XS Central Heat Pump (White) | 2 Tons - 24000 BTU
SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)
HSPF2 (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
EER2 (Instant Cooling Efficiency)
COP at -8 °C (Heating energy efficiency)
COP at -15 °C (Heating energy efficiency)
Operating temperature down to -30 °C (MAX)
Performance Airflow (Airflow Rate)
Replace an Aging Central System Without Renovating the House
Most of the central systems we replace in Montreal and on the South Shore do not fail all at once. They gradually wear down: bills rise, the upper floor no longer keeps up, the compressor becomes noisy, and eventually a technician says that the repair costs more than the unit is worth. That is when the question truly arises—and when the 2-ton TCL APEX XS central heat pump, in Zinc White finish, becomes a serious answer.
What sets it apart is not a spectacular innovation, but a very practical feature: it retains 100% of its rated capacity down to -15°C, and it integrates with an existing duct network without requiring it to be rebuilt.
What “retrofit” Means Technically
A central system consists of an outdoor unit and an air handler connected to the ductwork. In a conventional replacement, both are changed. The APEX XS offers three configurations, and that is where the savings come in:
- With its own air handler — the complete configuration, when the existing unit is also nearing the end of its service life.
- As a retrofit on an existing furnace — electric, gas, or dual-fuel. The furnace retains its backup role during very cold weather, while the heat pump provides the primary heating for the rest of the year.
- With a coil in a cabinet — when only the heat-pump section needs to be replaced.
In the postwar bungalows of Saint-Laurent, Ahuntsic, and Brossard, where the furnace was often replaced more recently than the heat pump, the second option avoids several thousand dollars in work and shortens the project by a full day.
Certified Figures, Without Interpretation
Values from the NEEP cold-climate heat-pump directory, based on AHRI-certified testing:
- 24,000 BTU/h at 8.3°C — COP 3.80
- 24,000 BTU/h at -8°C — COP 2.50
- 24,000 BTU/h at -15°C — COP 1.85
- 13,300 BTU/h at -30°C at maximum capacity — COP 1.20
The same figure appears three times in the first three lines. That is unusual, and it changes the conversation about sizing: a central system that loses nothing between 8°C and -15°C can be sized according to the building’s actual load rather than oversized “for winter.” The backup heat then starts only below -15°C, which represents a limited fraction of the heating hours in a season in Greater Montreal.
Seasonal efficiency follows suit: 19.0 SEER2, 12.0 EER2, and 10.0 HSPF2. This HSPF2 rating of 10.0 is the highest among the four capacities in the series.
Technical Specifications
- Air handler: H24APH20UDE — Outdoor unit: H24SDH20XQC
- AHRI certificate: 218453815 — ENERGY STAR number: 4622454
- Refrigerant: R-32, 68.1 oz charge
- Rated airflow: 835 CFM — external static pressure: 0.58 in. nominal, 0.8 in. maximum
- Outdoor power supply: 220 V — MCA 19 A, MOP 30 A
- Piping: 3/8 in. liquid, 3/4 in. gas
- Sound level: 45 dB(A) indoors, 53 dB(A) outdoors
- Air-handler dimensions: 21.00 x 21.00 x 46.44 in. (C cabinet)
- Outdoor-unit dimensions: 38.50 x 16.56 x 31.63 in.
- Heating range: down to -30°C — cooling: up to 55°C
- ENERGY STAR cold-climate certification: yes
The air handler supports three installation positions—upflow vertical, left horizontal, and right horizontal—which addresses most low-basement or space-constrained mechanical-room situations. Switching to right-horizontal installation simply requires repositioning the condensate pan, an operation provided for by the manufacturer.
Static Pressure: The Data That Determines a Central System’s Success
This is the point we explain most often because it determines real comfort far more than the stated capacity.
An air handler must overcome the resistance of the ductwork. The APEX XS is rated for 0.58 in. of water column under nominal conditions, with a margin up to 0.8 in. In a properly sized network, with sufficient return-air capacity and clean filters, this margin is comfortable. In an undersized, overly restrictive, or obstructed network, the reality is different: airflow drops, the heat exchanger cannot transfer heat properly, and the measured efficiency bears little resemblance to the technical specifications.
Before recommending a central system, we therefore measure the static pressure of the existing network. This measurement sometimes leads to an unpleasant conclusion—we may need to add a return-air duct, correct a reduction, or replace a section of ductwork—but it avoids the scenario in which a client pays for a high-performance unit and gets mediocre results. A clean 18 x 20 filter is also part of the equation; an overly restrictive filter alone can add significant resistance.
A $2,880 Incentive
This model appears on the list of eligible equipment for Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert program. For an owner-occupied existing home, the incentive reaches $2,880. In new construction, it increases to $3,360.
The application must be submitted within nine months of installation, and it applies to a specific combination of indoor and outdoor units identified by its AHRI certificate. We verify eligibility before the work and prepare the required documents. Because the lists and amounts are reviewed periodically, we always confirm the exact figure at the time of quoting.
What R-32 Means on the Job Site
The APEX XS operates with R-32, an A2L-classified refrigerant with a significantly lower global-warming potential than R-410A. The unit also includes a built-in R-32 leak detector, as well as a drain-pan heater and compressor heater.
For the installer, this means dedicated tools, a thorough vacuum process, and strict adherence to the additional-charge requirements based on piping length. Our teams are trained to work with these refrigerants. This is not merely a compliance detail: an incorrectly adjusted charge in an R-32 central system results in a loss of capacity that will appear precisely when the first severe cold snap arrives.
Compatibility and Controls
The system is compatible with standard 24 VAC thermostats, with RS485 communication. In practical terms, a client can keep an existing thermostat that works well or choose a more advanced control. Wi-Fi connectivity is available as an option with the XK-120D4 module; it is not installed as standard. We prefer to state this clearly rather than have the client discover it after installation.
Why AirGreen
A central heat pump is not a product that is simply installed; it is a system integrated into an existing building, with its ductwork, electrical panel, furnace, and space constraints. At AirGreen, we measure static pressure, verify electrical capacity, examine return-air paths, and assess the condition of the network before recommending a capacity.
We also say when the duct network needs to be corrected, even if that increases the quote. It is the only way to achieve in the field the performance listed in the specifications.
Contact AirGreen for a complete assessment of your central system and a detailed quote for the 2-ton TCL APEX XS in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.