Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Deluxe | 12,000 BTU - R454B

After the renovation, a wall head that truly heats the living area

You have just redone the insulation, replaced the windows or renovated the whole ground floor. The house loses much less heat than before, and it is the right time to rethink the heating. The Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Deluxe | 12,000 BTU - R454B is designed for this scenario: in a well-insulated space, a single head of this size can become the main heat source for the living area, and cool it in summer.

Its certified ratings are 28.0 SEER2, 13.5 EER2 and 12.7 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3624486, and the certificate still lists its capacity at -30 °C. It qualifies for a $1,320 LogisVert grant.

Insulate first, heat second

The capacity a room needs depends mostly on the heat it loses. Once the walls, roof and windows are improved, demand drops, sometimes a lot. A living room with an open kitchen that needed several baseboards before the work can then be covered by a heat pump of 12,000 BTU/h nominal. That is why we run the load calculation based on the condition of the house after the work, not on the electricity bills of the old house.

This size typically suits an open living-dining area, a spacious living room or a small, fully renovated home. Closed bedrooms keep their own heating or get their own heads; a single head does not heat a room whose door stays shut.

More capacity at -15 °C than its nominal capacity

The certificate lists 11,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F), about 92% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 2.41, and 13,500 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), about 112%, with a COP of 2.00. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published, even though the -15 °C value is higher than the -8 °C value.

These figures show a variable-speed compressor able to speed up beyond its nominal capacity when the cold calls for it, while still delivering two units of heat for each unit of electricity at -15 °C. In a well-insulated space, that covers the demand on the great majority of winter days.

At -30 °C, still 7,500 BTU/h

The certificate also publishes the maximum capacity at -30 °C (-22 °F): 7,500 BTU/h, about 62% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 1.29. The heat pump keeps heating on the coldest nights, with an efficiency still higher than a baseboard's. For those few peaks of winter, keeping a baseboard or another backup set a few degrees below the set point remains good practice. The ENERGY STAR cold-climate designation confirms that the pairing was evaluated for this climate.

12.7 HSPF2 and 28.0 SEER2: what efficiency gets you

• HSPF2 of 12.7: heating efficiency over the whole season. Since the heat pump becomes the main heat source, this is the rating that weighs most on the bill.
• SEER2 of 28.0: cooling efficiency over the whole summer.
• EER2 of 13.5: cooling efficiency at the hottest moment.
• COP: heat delivered per unit of electricity. A baseboard delivers one; this pairing delivers 2.41 at -8 °C, 2.00 at -15 °C and 1.29 at -30 °C, according to the certificate.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215413213, published by NEEP.

The $1,320 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $1,320 for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. We confirm eligibility before signing and prepare the detailed invoice, model numbers and proof of payment. Our page on the efficient heat pump grant summarizes the program's conditions.

A tighter home, air to keep an eye on

A renovated house is tighter, which keeps the heat in but also the humidity. In summer, the heat pump helps a lot: running at low speed, its coil condenses moisture from the air, which drains away. It does not replace ventilation, however. A wall-mounted heat pump recirculates the room's air without bringing any in from outside; in a very airtight house, an air exchanger is still needed to renew the air, and we can discuss it during the visit.

Cooling the living area

In cooling mode, the nominal capacity is 12,000 BTU/h, and the 13.5 EER2 rating measures efficiency on a hot day. With new windows and better insulation, heat comes in more slowly; the compressor therefore spends more time at low speed, where it is most efficient and provides the best dehumidification.

Inverter, defrost and R-454B

The heat pump moves heat: it draws it from the outdoor air in winter and rejects it outside in summer. In cold, humid weather, frost forms on the outdoor unit, which briefly pauses heating for a defrost cycle; the white vapour that rises from it is normal. The circuit uses R-454B, the new-generation refrigerant with a much lower global warming potential than the previous one; classified A2L, it requires precise installation methods that we apply on every job.

Installation, step by step

Coordinating with your renovation

If the walls are still open, it is the best time to call us. We can plan the route of the refrigerant lines, the communication cable and the drain inside the structure before the drywall goes up, which avoids a visible line cover on the exterior wall or inside. We also add blocking in the framing where the wall head will be mounted, and plan the dedicated circuit while the wiring is accessible. If the work is finished, installation is done the usual way: a single sealed opening and a line cover outside.

Outdoor unit, electrical and commissioning

The outdoor unit goes on a ground or wall stand, above the snow line, away from bedroom windows, including the neighbours', and sheltered from snow sliding off roofs. We check the panel capacity during the visit. At commissioning, the circuit is evacuated and checked for tightness, then we test heating, cooling and drain flow, and set the backups so they only serve in deep cold.

Maintenance and warranty

After renovation work, construction dust keeps settling for a long time: rinse the indoor filters every two weeks in season, and more often in the first weeks. Keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, and plan annual HVAC maintenance of the coils, drain and electrical connections. In winter, white vapour during defrost and a short pause in heating are normal. Our cleaning service takes over when you prefer to hand off the annual visit.

Warranty: 10 years on the compressor, 10 years on parts and 6 years on labor.

AirGreen, for the life of the installation

A family business active for more than fifteen years in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the North Shore and the South Shore, we hold RBQ licences for ventilation, refrigeration and electrical work and carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance. The in-home assessment is free, the quote is in writing, and our financing options let you choose the right unit rather than the cheapest one.

Request your free estimate for the Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Deluxe | 12,000 BTU - R454B. We assess your house after the work and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.