Floor Console Heat Pump DURASTAR Sirius Heat | 16,000 BTU - R454B
The cold-weather capacity of a 16,000 BTU, step by step
In Longueuil, bedrooms built in a half-basement get little light through their high windows and keep cold foundation walls until May. The baseboards run all winter without warming the floor, and the air smells damp by spring. The DURASTAR Sirius Heat 16,000 BTU R454B floor console heat pump blows at floor level, where the cold settles, and its LogisVert listing was enough to make the project feasible.
The steps listed on the certificate
- Seasonal efficiency of 20.0 SEER2, 12.5 EER2 and 10.3 HSPF2
- At -8 °C: 14,200 BTU/h, with a COP of 2.60
- At -15 °C: 17,500 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.95
- At -30 °C: 7,600 BTU/h, with a COP of 1.21
- Airflow of 500 CFM, dehumidification of 4.6 pints per hour
The certificate lists 14,200 BTU/h at -8 °C and 17,500 BTU/h at -15 °C. The two points are measured separately; we show each one as published. These data come from certificate AHRI 215359261, published by NEEP. The -15 °C point is the one that decides comfort in a half-basement: the measured capacity there exceeds the nominal rating of the size, and heating continues down to -30 °C.
A bedroom heated from below
A half-basement loses its heat through the slab and the part of the foundation above ground. A console at the foot of the wall tackles the problem at its source, unlike a unit hung near the ceiling, which first warms the air that is already the warmest in the room. The 4.6 pints per hour removed in cooling also take care of the damp smell in June.
The $1,704 LogisVert grant
The system is on Hydro-Québec’s LogisVert list under ENERGY STAR ID 3621157, for a grant of $1,704 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in force on the installation date; an increased grant applies to some multi-unit buildings. The conditions are summarized on the Hydro-Québec efficient heat pump grant page.
How an installation day goes in a half-basement
The survey, before setting the date
We measure the free height under the high windows, locate the exit point to the yard and check the panel. A half-basement bedroom often requires drilling through the concrete foundation: that is decided at the survey, not on the morning of the job.
Setting the console and drilling
The unit, 31.26 x 7.87 x 24.45 inches, is fixed on the floor against the wall, under the window. The opening goes through the foundation above outdoor grade, then the 1/4 and 1/2 inch lines reach the 35.04 x 13.46 x 26.50 inch outdoor unit, mounted above the snow line.
Drain, connections and the 20 A circuit
Condensate from a basement console rarely drains by gravity: a condensate pump sends it outside. For power, it needs 220 V, a minimum circuit ampacity of 19 A, a 20 A breaker and a dedicated circuit. We do the panel load calculation before proposing the installation.
Start-up, then maintenance
- White vapour escapes from the outdoor unit during defrost
- A three-minute delay on restart protects the compressor
- A short hiss comes with start-up: the refrigerant is redistributing
A burning smell, a tripping breaker or water inside call for an immediate shutdown and a service call. In normal use, the filters are rinsed every two weeks, the outdoor unit is kept clear of snow, and an annual HVAC maintenance completes the season; our cleaning service takes care of the coils and the drain pan.
AirGreen is a family business that has been installing heat pumps for more than fifteen years in Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore. We hold RBQ licences in ventilation, refrigeration and electricity, and foundation drilling is done by our own crews, not subcontracted.
Request your free estimate for the DURASTAR Sirius Heat 16,000 BTU R454B floor console heat pump. We measure the height under the window, plan the foundation opening and confirm the applicable LogisVert amount.
Warranty: 10 years on the compressor, 10 years on parts and 6 years on labor, straight from the distributor.