Floor Console Heat Pump SENVILLE SENA R454B | 18000 BTU

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• Federal Rebate:
• Provincial Rebate: 1728$
• Energy Star®: Oui
• WiFi: En Option
• AHRI: 215735309
• Efficiency: 20.4 SEER
• Warranty (Compressor - Parts - Labor): 10-10-0
• Additional Warranty (10-10-10): Possible
• Voltage: 220V
• Sound Pressure Level (Outdoor): 58.0 dB(A)
• Gas (Freon): R-454B

A low-mounted heat pump that completely changes how a room is heated and cooled

The SENVILLE SENA R454B 18,000 BTU floor console heat pump is intended for projects where a wall-mounted unit installed near the ceiling is not the best option. In some homes in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, and the South Shore, the challenge is not finding a heat pump with sufficient performance; it is finding the right indoor location.

A large window sometimes occupies almost the entire upper portion of a wall. A cathedral ceiling can make a wall-mounted unit visually dominant. In a basement, available wall space may be interrupted by low windows, beams, or soffits. In other projects, the homeowner simply wants airflow delivered closer to the occupied area.

The SENVILLE SENA-18HF-IFG, paired with the SENA-18HF-OG outdoor unit, is specifically suited to this type of constraint. Senville’s documentation presents this family as a ductless heat pump with a floor console, ENERGY STAR certified and capable of providing heating and cooling year-round.

For us at AirGreen Heat Pumps, Air Conditioning & Heating, this model’s appeal therefore lies not only in its 18,000 BTU capacity. It lies in the combination of its low-profile design, its ability to operate down to -30 °C, its seasonal efficiency, and its suitability for spaces where a high wall-mounted unit would be poorly positioned.

The features that define this 18,000 BTU SENVILLE

The AirGreen specification sheet associates this combination with the following features:

The Senville brochure identifies the indoor unit family as SENA-18HF-IF and confirms a 208/230 V power supply, a 20.4 SEER2, a 12.5 EER2, a Region 4 HSPF2 of 10.3, an MCA of 19 A, and a maximum protection of 20 A.

Why a floor console can be better than a wall-mounted unit

A conventional wall-mounted unit is generally installed fairly high. It is very well suited to many projects, but this format imposes certain architectural constraints.

The SENVILLE console is installed lower on the wall. Its body measures approximately:

42.05 in wide × 26.57 in high × 9.25 in deep.

This format can be particularly interesting:

• beneath a sufficiently high window;
• on a sloped wall or where the available height is limited;
• in a basement;
• in a bedroom where the upper part of the walls is occupied;
• in a space with a cathedral ceiling;
• in an office where a high wall-mounted head would be too noticeable.

The low placement also changes how the heat feels. During the winter, warm air is introduced closer to the occupied area, which can be particularly pleasant in a room where the floor and exterior walls are cold.

However, this observation should not be turned into an absolute rule. A console improperly placed behind a sofa or a large piece of furniture will lose some of its advantages.

A common mistake: plan for the unit, then place the furniture in front of it

A floor console requires a little more coordination with the interior layout than a head unit installed near the ceiling.

We need to know the future location of:

• the sofa;
• curtains;
• low furniture;
• the bed;
• bookcases;
• tables;
• important decorative objects.

A successful installation must preserve airflow in front of and around the unit.

A typical scenario we encounter on the South Shore is a living room where almost all the walls are occupied by large windows. The console may then seem like the perfect solution beneath a window, but you must make sure that the sofa will not later block its airflow.

This simple check carried out before the work can prevent a permanent air-distribution problem.

18,000 BTU is a commercial class: the technical specifications are more precise

The brochure indicates a nominal cooling capacity of 17,000 BTU/h and a nominal heating capacity of 19,000 BTU/h. It also provides a cooling range of 7,400 to 19,200 BTU/h and a heating range of 8,300 to 20,700 BTU/h.

There is therefore nothing unusual about the product being marketed in the 18,000 BTU category.

The capacities of an inverter heat pump vary depending on the mode and operating conditions. The commercial rating identifies the appliance class, while the technical data shows what the system can actually modulate.

This modulation is important.

An autumn day when the room needs only a small amount of heat does not require the same output as a January evening. The compressor can adjust its speed instead of constantly running at full power.

Up to approximately 577 CFM to move air through a large room

The published indoor airflow reaches:

• 576.8 CFM in Turbo mode;
• 547.4 CFM;
• 485.6 CFM;
• 420.8 CFM at the published lower setting.

The AirGreen specification sheet therefore logically rounds the maximum airflow to 577 CFM.

For an 18,000 BTU console, this information is essential. The system must be able to move enough air to distribute its BTUs throughout the space.

In a large open-plan area, we look for a wall that allows the airflow to spread without immediately encountering a piece of furniture.

In a long, narrow room, the unit’s orientation becomes even more important.

Automatic vertical louvers and manual horizontal adjustment

The AirGreen specification sheet indicates automatic vertical louvers and manual horizontal adjustment.

This makes it possible to change the airflow direction according to the season and the room layout.

In heating mode, the airflow direction can be adjusted to promote comfort in the occupied area. In cooling mode, we seek to avoid a cold draft directed straight at someone sitting for several hours.

Louver control is useful, but it never replaces choosing the right wall.

A quiet indoor unit at approximately 30.5 dB(A) on the low setting

Senville publishes the following indoor sound levels:

45 / 42.5 / 39.5 / 30.5 dB(A) depending on the operating setting.

A level of 30.5 dB(A) at the quietest operating setting is particularly suitable for:

• a bedroom;
• an office;
• a living room;
• a reading area;
• a finished basement.

However, the actual perceived noise also depends on the selected speed and the unit’s proximity to occupants.

Because a console is installed lower than a wall-mounted head, we consider its position relative to the bed, sofa, or workstation.

20.4 SEER2 and 10.3 HSPF2: cooling and heating efficiency

The combination has a SEER2 of 20.4, an EER2 of 12.5, and an HSPF2 Region 4 of 10.3.

These ratings help assess the system’s seasonal efficiency, but they alone do not indicate how much a homeowner will save.

Actual consumption depends in particular on:

• setpoint temperature;
• insulation;
• solar exposure;
• air infiltration;
• actual area served;
• number of operating hours;
• outdoor temperature;
• filter and heat exchanger maintenance.

We therefore use efficiency ratings to compare equipment, but not to promise universal savings applicable to every home.

Dehumidification: approximately 3.66 pints per hour

The brochure indicates a moisture removal rate of 1.73 L/h.

This corresponds approximately to the 3.66 pints per hour indicated on the AirGreen data sheet.

During a humid summer in Montreal or Laval, dehumidification contributes greatly to comfort.

A home can be at 23 °C and still feel stuffy if its indoor humidity remains high. A properly sized heat pump must therefore run long enough to remove moisture, rather than merely reaching the requested temperature very quickly.

This is another reason not to automatically choose a higher-capacity model “to be sure.”

Heating at -15 °C: 17,000 BTU available

For Quebec, the most interesting figure is not only “-30 °C.”

The AirGreen data sheet indicates:

14,400 BTU/h at -8 °C
17,000 BTU/h at -15 °C
8,400 BTU/h maximum at -30 °C

At -15 °C, this console therefore retains a very substantial capacity compared with its nominal 18,000 BTU class.

For a properly insulated property, this can allow the heat pump to handle a significant share of the heating for a large part of the winter.

-30 °C does not mean 18,000 BTU at -30 °C

Senville states that the unit can operate in heating mode down to -22 °F / -30 °C.

At this extreme temperature, however, the AirGreen data sheet indicates 8,400 BTU/h maximum.

This distinction is fundamental for sizing.

If the room or zone loses 12,000 BTU/h at -30 °C, the heat pump can continue operating, but it will not cover all the losses on its own.

Supplementary heating therefore remains an important design consideration.

COP 2.54 at -8 °C and 1.33 at -30 °C

COP measures the ratio between the heat delivered and the electricity consumed.

At -8 °C, the data sheet indicates a COP of 2.54.

At -30 °C, it drops to 1.33.

This decrease is expected with an air-source heat pump when the outdoor temperature becomes extreme.

To assess the system’s energy performance, the entire season must therefore be considered. In Montreal, Laval, or Longueuil, winter temperatures vary enormously, and most heating hours are not spent at -30 °C.

Installing a SENVILLE floor console: the details AirGreen checks before drilling the wall

A console must be installed where it can genuinely breathe

The low-profile format offers many possibilities, but the location must be prepared precisely.

We look at:

• the available width;
• the height of the baseboards;
• the existing electrical outlets;
• the presence of a radiator;
• the curtains;
• the furnishings;
• the possibility of draining the condensate;
• the refrigerant line route;
• access for maintenance.

The unit measures more than 42 inches wide. This figure is easy to underestimate when looking at a product photo.

Before installation, we therefore measure the actual wall rather than assuming that “it will fit.”

Under a window: often a good option, but not always possible

The console format is reminiscent of certain hydronic radiators or convectors.

An installation beneath a window can be aesthetically coherent, particularly when the upper part of the walls must remain clear.

However, the following must be checked:

• the height between the floor and the window sill;
• the curtains;
• the structure;
• access to the drain;
• the outdoor location of the lines.

A very low window may still prevent installation.

The console and existing electric heating

In many Québec homes, the ideal location for a console is already occupied by an electric baseboard heater.

The new installation must then be coordinated with the existing electrical layout.

We do not simply place the console in front of an active baseboard heater.

It must be decided whether the baseboard heater should remain as backup, be relocated, or whether another location would be preferable, depending on the project and applicable electrical requirements.

R-454B and precharge for 25 ft

This generation uses R-454B refrigerant.

The documentation indicates a charge of 55.38 oz and a precharge corresponding to 25 ft of piping.

The brochure also specifies that with a 50 ft line set, additional refrigerant must be added on site by the installer.

This detail is important when the outdoor unit must be positioned far from the console.

The actual line length must be calculated before commissioning.

The outdoor unit remains relatively compact

The outdoor unit measures approximately:

35.04 in × 13.46 in × 26.50 in

and weighs approximately 99.87 lb.

The maximum outdoor airflow is 1,765.8 CFM, and the stated sound level is 58 dB(A).

This 58 dB(A) value is the correct technical specification from the brochure.

For an installation in Montréal or Longueuil, where buildings may be close together, we still choose the location while taking windows, terraces, and neighbors into account.

A -30 °C heat pump must be installed to operate in snow.

Low-temperature capacity is useless if the outdoor unit is buried.

We therefore plan for:

• sufficient height;
• a suitable base or support;
• the space required for defrosting;
• good air circulation;
• access for servicing.

During defrost cycles, water can flow beneath the unit and then freeze. This accumulation must be anticipated before it becomes a block of ice in the middle of winter.

MCA 19 A and MOP 20 A: the brochure is consistent with the AirGreen specifications

For this model, the technical documentation and the AirGreen listing agree:

MCA: 19 A
maximum protection: 20 A

The published power supply is 208/230 V single-phase, 60 Hz, with a voltage range of 187 to 253 V.

The indicated interconnection wiring is 14/4 AWG.

The final circuit must, of course, comply with the nameplate and the electrical requirements applicable to the installation.

Optional WiFi

The AirGreen listing indicates optional WiFi.

For some homeowners, this feature is convenient for adjusting the temperature remotely or scheduling occupancy periods.

We consider it an additional control feature, not an element that affects sizing.

An excellent application cannot correct a console that is poorly positioned or too large for the room.

Self-diagnostics and leak detection

Senville mentions a system for self-diagnostics and leak detection, intended to facilitate the identification of certain anomalies.

This can help during a service call, but a comfort issue does not necessarily come from the refrigerant.

It may also result from:

• a dirty filter;
• a dirty heat exchanger;
• a clogged drain;
• poor air circulation;
• a sensor;
• an improper setting.

Maintenance: a low console accumulates dust differently

Because the unit is closer to the floor, its environment is not exactly the same as that of a high wall-mounted head.

Dust, pet hair, and particles present at low height can affect how quickly the filters become dirty, depending on how the room is used.

We therefore recommend regularly checking:

• the filters;
• the air intake;
• the heat exchanger;
• the fan wheel;
• the drain;
• the air outlets.

A clogged filter reduces airflow and can affect system performance.

Warranty: a difference to be confirmed at the time of sale

The AirGreen listing indicates a manufacturer’s warranty 10-10-0 with the possibility of additional coverage.

However, the supplied Senville brochure mentions 10 years on the compressor and 5 years on parts. The technical table repeats this coverage of 10 years on the compressor and 5 years on parts.

We therefore recommend confirming the warranty applicable to the exact combination at the time of purchase and registration.

We prefer to clarify this point rather than assume that all listings in the same series necessarily use the same conditions.

A listed provincial rebate of $1,728

The AirGreen listing associates this combination with a $1,728 provincial rebate.

The capacity at -8 °C is listed as 14,400 BTU/h, which is particularly important when financial assistance is calculated based on low-temperature heating capacity.

The combination is also identified as ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, under number 3630056.

As with any financial assistance, eligibility must be confirmed based on the exact combination, installation date, and program conditions applicable at the time of the work.

Which projects are particularly well suited to this SENVILLE console unit?

We consider this format particularly interesting for:

• a finished basement;
• a bedroom with a cathedral ceiling;
• a living room with large windows;
• an office;
• a room where the upper part of the walls must remain clear;
• a property where a wall-mounted head would be too visible;
• a renovation with limited high wall space;
• a project where a ENERGY STAR Cold Climate heat pump is desired;
• a room requiring up to approximately 18,000 BTU of nominal capacity.

Conversely, if a high, unobstructed wall allows for a simple and effective wall-mounted installation, a floor-console unit is not automatically the best solution.

Why AirGreen does not choose this model based solely on its appearance

The console format is appealing when you want to avoid a traditional wall-mounted head, but aesthetics should not overshadow proper sizing.

At AirGreen, we verify:

• heat loss;
• the floor area;
• insulation;
• the windows;
• air distribution;
• the furniture layout;
• the drain;
• the line-set length;
• the electrical supply;
• the outdoor location.

Our main goal is to determine whether the floor-console unit provides a real functional advantage for the project.

A very interesting alternative to traditional wall-mounted heat pumps

The SENVILLE SENA R454B 18,000 BTU floor-console heat pump combines several features suited to Quebec: SEER2 20.4, EER2 12.5, HSPF2 10.3, heating down to -30 °C, ENERGY STAR Cold Climate, maximum airflow of approximately 577 CFM, and inverter operation.

But its main appeal remains its form.

It allows the system to be installed lower on the wall and can address architectural constraints that a traditional wall-mounted unit cannot handle as easily.

For a property in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore, the South Shore, or elsewhere in Montérégie, this type of heat pump can be particularly relevant when windows, furniture, or ceiling height limit conventional installation locations.

Contact AirGreen to get a quote for the SENVILLE SENA R454B 18,000 BTU floor-console heat pump. We can verify the sizing, indoor location, furniture clearance, electrical installation, drainage, piping, AHRI reference, and applicable rebate before the work begins.