{"product_id":"thermopompe-centrale-tcl-apex-xs-noir-3-tonnes-36000-btu","title":"TCL APEX XS Central Heat Pump (Black) | 3 Tonnes - 36000 BTU","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHow Do You Determine That a House Needs Three Tons, Not Four?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe most consequential question in a central heat pump project is not the brand. It is the capacity. A one-ton difference in either direction affects comfort, energy costs, and compressor life—and this decision is made before even discussing a model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere, we use the \u003cstrong\u003e3-ton TCL APEX XS central heat pump\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eBasalt Grey\u003c\/strong\u003e as a practical example to explain how proper sizing is determined and why the rule of thumb so often fails in Quebec.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy “One Ton per 500 Square Feet” Does Not Work\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis rule has been around for decades. It originated in the southern United States, where the dominant load is air conditioning and the housing stock is relatively uniform. Applied to the \u003cstrong\u003eGreater Montreal Area\u003c\/strong\u003e housing stock, it produces errors in both directions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo 1,800-square-foot homes can have loads that differ by as much as two to one. What separates them includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYear of construction and actual insulation.\u003c\/strong\u003e An unrenovated 1955 cottage and a 2015 construction have nothing in common thermally.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWindow area and orientation.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wall of south-facing windows is a major solar gain in summer and a significant heat loss in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAir tightness.\u003c\/strong\u003e Infiltration accounts for a considerable share of the load in older buildings, and it cannot be seen on a floor plan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign temperature for the area.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is not the same in \u003cstrong\u003eMontreal\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eSaint-Jérôme\u003c\/strong\u003e, or \u003cstrong\u003eSainte-Agathe\u003c\/strong\u003e. Using the wrong one throws everything else off.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVolume, not just floor area.\u003c\/strong\u003e Nine-foot ceilings add 12% more volume to heat than eight-foot ceilings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of occupants and internal gains.\u003c\/strong\u003e These matter more than people generally assume for air conditioning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat We Actually Calculate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA proper assessment produces two distinct numbers: the \u003cstrong\u003eheating load\u003c\/strong\u003e at the winter design temperature and the \u003cstrong\u003ecooling load\u003c\/strong\u003e at the summer design temperature. These two loads do not occur at the same time and do not necessarily point to the same capacity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe then determine the \u003cstrong\u003ebalance point\u003c\/strong\u003e: the outdoor temperature at which the heat pump’s capacity exactly matches the building’s load. Below this point, supplemental heat takes over. This is the most useful figure we can provide a client because it concretely predicts how many hours per season the supplemental heating will operate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the 3-ton APEX XS, this calculation is clearer than usual for one specific reason: the unit maintains \u003cstrong\u003e36,000 BTU\/h down to -15°C\u003c\/strong\u003e. Its capacity curve is flat, so the balance point falls low and does not depend on questionable extrapolations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCertified Data\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e36,000 BTU\/h at 8.3°C\u003c\/strong\u003e — COP 3.60\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e36,000 BTU\/h at -8°C\u003c\/strong\u003e — COP 2.30\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e36,000 BTU\/h at -15°C\u003c\/strong\u003e — COP 1.85\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e18,800 BTU\/h at -30°C\u003c\/strong\u003e at maximum capacity — COP 1.20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValues from the NEEP cold-climate heat pump directory, based on AHRI-certified testing. Seasonal efficiency: \u003cstrong\u003e18.0 SEER2\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e11.0 EER2\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003e9.5 HSPF2\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Happens When the Capacity Is Chosen Incorrectly\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two errors have distinct signatures, and we regularly diagnose them in systems installed by others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn oversized unit\u003c\/strong\u003e reaches the setpoint quickly and then shuts off. In cooling mode, short cycles do not allow enough time to remove humidity: the air becomes cold and clammy, the occupant lowers the setpoint, and energy consumption rises without improving comfort. In heating mode, repeated starts wear out the compressor and create noticeable temperature fluctuations. The paradox is consistent: an oversized system uses more energy and provides less comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAn undersized unit\u003c\/strong\u003e causes the electric auxiliary heat to start far too often. Since auxiliary heat has an efficiency of 1.0 compared with 2.30 for the heat pump at -8°C, every hour of auxiliary operation costs more than twice as much. The expected project savings never materialize, and the homeowner wrongly concludes that “heat pumps do not work in Quebec.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAir handler\u003c\/strong\u003e: H36APH20UDE — \u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor unit\u003c\/strong\u003e: H36SDH20XQC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAHRI certificate\u003c\/strong\u003e: 218453817 — \u003cstrong\u003eENERGY STAR number\u003c\/strong\u003e: 4622453\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefrigerant\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cstrong\u003eR-32\u003c\/strong\u003e, 105.8 oz charge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAirflow\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1,200 CFM — \u003cstrong\u003estatic pressure\u003c\/strong\u003e: 0.58 \/ 0.8 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor power supply\u003c\/strong\u003e: 220 V — \u003cstrong\u003eMCA 30 A\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eMOP 50 A\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLine set\u003c\/strong\u003e: 3\/8 in. liquid, 3\/4 in. gas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSound level\u003c\/strong\u003e: 52 dB(A) indoors, 54 dB(A) outdoors\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOutdoor unit dimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e: 43.13 x 19.44 x 33.75 in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuxiliary heat kits\u003c\/strong\u003e: 5, 10, or 15 kW — \u003cstrong\u003efilter\u003c\/strong\u003e 18 x 20\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLogisVert assistance\u003c\/strong\u003e: $4,320 for existing homes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSizing the Auxiliary Heat: The Other Half of the Decision\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoosing the heat pump is not enough. You must decide what takes over below the balance point, and that choice has a direct impact on electricity use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eauxiliary heating kits\u003c\/strong\u003e available for this model are 5, 10, or 15 kW. The instinct is to choose the largest one “for safety”—and that is precisely what should be avoided. An unjustified 15 kW element adds a considerable electrical load, may require a panel upgrade, and will never be fully used if the balance point is low.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen an existing furnace is retained in a retrofit, the question does not even arise: it provides the auxiliary heat, and no electric element is required. This is often the most economical configuration in homes already equipped with a gas or dual-energy system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Basalt Grey Finish\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis version differs from the Zinc White variant in the outdoor unit’s surface finish, with no mechanical or efficiency differences. The dark grey integrates better with a foundation, dark brick, or contemporary siding—a consideration that matters when the unit is visible from the street or an outdoor living area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy AirGreen\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRigorous sizing takes time and is not billed separately. Yet it is the step that determines whether a client will be satisfied for fifteen years or call us every winter. At \u003cstrong\u003eAirGreen\u003c\/strong\u003e, we calculate the loads, establish the balance point, size the auxiliary heat accordingly, and verify the available electrical capacity before providing a quote.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe often recommend a lower capacity than the one requested. It is rarely what the client expects to hear, and it is almost always the right decision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContact AirGreen for a proper load calculation and a detailed quote for the 3-ton TCL APEX XS in Basalt Grey\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eMontreal\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eLaval\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eLongueuil\u003c\/strong\u003e, on the \u003cstrong\u003eNorth Shore\u003c\/strong\u003e, and on the \u003cstrong\u003eSouth Shore\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TCL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56286077747492,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0715\/1694\/6724\/files\/THERMOPOMPE_CENTRALE_TCL_APEX_XS_R32_BASALT_GREY_3_TONNES_36000_BTU_MONTREAL_LAVAL_LONGUEUIL_RIVE_SUD_RIVE_NORD_07d58ba3-a66d-44f3-aca1-164161b0d138.png?v=1789419593","url":"https:\/\/airgreen.ca\/en\/products\/thermopompe-centrale-tcl-apex-xs-noir-3-tonnes-36000-btu","provider":"AirGreen Climatisation \u0026 Chauffage \/ Air Conditioning \u0026 Heating","version":"1.0","type":"link"}