TCL APEX XS Central Heat Pump (White) | 3 Tons - 36000 BTU

Three tons for the 1980s home, with the duct system it already has

There is a type of building we encounter every week in Quebec: the single-family home built between 1975 and 1995, heated with electricity or gas, equipped with a duct system designed at a time when central air conditioning was a secondary addition. The homeowner now wants an efficient central heat pump. The duct system, however, has not changed.

The 3-ton TCL APEX XS central heat pump, in Zinc White finish, is a unit we seriously consider in this context—provided the air-distribution system is treated as a subject in its own right rather than as an installation detail.

The 1,200 CFM and what it requires from the duct system

A 3-ton central system moves 1,200 CFM of air. That is a considerable amount, and it must circulate through the existing ducts without creating whistling, unbalancing distant rooms, or overworking the fan.

The usual design rule places airflow at around 400 CFM per ton. A system originally sized for 2-ton air conditioning with modest airflow will not deliver this volume without modification. The symptoms are always the same: an upstairs bedroom that remains lukewarm, air noise at a floor grille, and a filter that clogs abnormally quickly.

The factor that governs all of this is external static pressure: 0.58 in. of water column under rated conditions, with a reserve up to 0.8 in. We measure this pressure in the existing system before submitting a quote. When the measurement exceeds the unit's allowance, three corrective measures are possible, from least to most expensive:

• add a return-air duct, often the most cost-effective measure;
• correct a poorly executed transition or elbow at the plenum outlet;
• replace an undersized main duct section.

The 18 x 20 filter is also factored into the calculation. A poorly selected high-efficiency filter adds enough resistance to cancel out part of the available margin.

Certified performance

Data from the NEEP cold-climate heat pump directory, based on AHRI-certified testing:

• 36,000 BTU/h at 8.3 °C — COP 3.60
• 36,000 BTU/h at -8 °C — COP 2.30
• 36,000 BTU/h at -15 °C — COP 1.85
• 18,800 BTU/h at -30 °C at maximum capacity — COP 1.20

Full capacity down to -15 °C. For a properly insulated 1,500- to 2,000-square-foot home in the Laval or North Shore area, this means the heat pump handles heating on its own for the vast majority of the season, with supplemental heat needed only during the coldest periods.

Seasonal performance is rated at 18.0 SEER2, 11.0 EER2, and 9.5 HSPF2.

Technical specifications

• Air handler : H36APH20UDE — Outdoor unit : H36SDH20XQC
• AHRI certificate : 218453817 — ENERGY STAR number : 4622453
• Refrigerant: R-32, 105.8 oz charge
• Airflow: 1,200 CFM — static pressure: 0.58 / 0.8 in.
• Outdoor power supply: 220 V — MCA 30 A, MOP 50 A
• Piping: 3/8 in. liquid, 3/4 in. gas
• Sound level: 52 dB(A) indoors, 54 dB(A) outdoors
• Air handler dimensions: 21.00 x 21.00 x 46.44 in. (C cabinet)
• Outdoor unit dimensions: 43.13 x 19.44 x 33.75 in.
• Supplemental heating kits: 5, 10, or 15 kW
• Installation positions: upflow vertical, left horizontal, right horizontal

The 30 A electrical jump, to be addressed before everything else

Moving from 2 to 3 tons increases the MCA from 19 to 30 A, with a maximum protection of 50 A. This is significant in a 1980s home with a 100- or 125-A panel that already powers baseboard heaters, a water heater, and a range.

If a supplemental heating kit is added to the air handler, the requirement increases further. A 10 kW element at 230 V adds approximately 40 A of minimum ampacity and requires its own protection. The total may require an electrical panel or service upgrade—a several-thousand-dollar item that, if discovered during construction, turns a well-managed project into an unpleasant surprise.

We therefore calculate the electrical load at the time of quoting, not when it is time to connect the unit. When an upgrade is required, it is included in the quoted price.

The 3-ton outdoor unit: placement

At 43.13 x 19.44 x 33.75 in and 75 kg, the outdoor unit requires a stable base and proper clearances—the manufacturer requires at least 12 in. in front of the air intake and 40 in. on the air outlet side. Against a garage wall, between two closely spaced houses, or in a narrow backyard, these clearances must be verified on-site.

Raising the unit above the snow is essential in Quebec. A unit installed directly on a slab at ground level accumulates defrost ice beneath the heat exchanger, eventually blocking the fan and triggering faults in the middle of winter.

$4,320 in financial assistance

This model is eligible for Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with assistance of $4,320 for an existing-home owner and $5,040 for new construction. This amount can genuinely change the cost-effectiveness of replacing a central system.

The application must be submitted within nine months of installation and is based on the certified indoor-outdoor combination. We verify eligibility before the work, prepare the application, and guide the customer through final submission. The amounts are revised periodically; we confirm the amount in effect when the quote is prepared.

Mistakes to avoid when replacing a central system

1. Reuse the old unit's capacity without recalculating. A system installed twenty-five years ago was often oversized, and the house has probably been insulated or had its windows replaced since then. Reusing the same capacity perpetuates the error.
2. Ignore the return-air paths. This is the most common cause of imbalance between floors and the least expensive issue to correct during the work.
3. Choose the outdoor location based on ease of connection. The shortest route is not always the one that meets clearance requirements or minimizes disruption to neighbors.
4. Set the airflow only once, in cooling mode. Heating and cooling requirements differ; balancing must be checked in both modes.

Why AirGreen

We have been working on central HVAC systems in existing buildings for years, and most of our value is delivered before installation: static pressure measurement, inspection of ductwork and return-air paths, heating-load calculation, complete electrical verification including auxiliary heat, validation of outdoor clearances, and review of available assistance programs.

A customer who receives a quote from AirGreen knows what they are buying, including the corrections required to their ductwork. It is less sales-oriented than a round-number price, and considerably more reliable.

Contact AirGreen for an assessment of your ductwork and a complete quote for the 3-ton TCL APEX XS in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore.