Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Duracomfort | 24,000 BTU - R454B

A single-storey home heated and cooled from one high-capacity head

The bungalow is the house in the Montreal area best suited to a high-capacity wall-mounted heat pump. Everything happens on one level: the living room, dining room and kitchen often form an open area, and the bedrooms are at the end of a central hallway. The Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Duracomfort | 24,000 BTU - R454B is designed for this kind of layout: a single, well-placed head that handles most of the floor.

Its certified ratings are 21.2 SEER2, 13.0 EER2 and 13.5 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation under ENERGY STAR ID 3556064, and the certificate still lists its capacity at -30 °C. It qualifies for a $2,664 LogisVert grant.

The bungalow, a house made for a central head

In a multi-storey house, warm air rises and cool air falls, which complicates distribution. On a single level, a high-capacity head placed in the right spot can cover the open area and a good part of the hallway. A nominal capacity of 24,000 BTU/h typically suits the open area of an ordinary-sized bungalow, or a large, well-insulated open space.

The variable-speed compressor lets this large capacity stay comfortable in the shoulder seasons: when demand is low, it slows down instead of short-cycling, which avoids the effect of an oversized unit. That is what makes a single head of this size possible in a home lived in all year.

Where the air goes, and where it does not

A single head distributes air from one point. As long as doors stay open, air flows from the open area to the hallway and bedrooms, and the temperature evens out across the floor. A bedroom whose door stays closed all night, however, gets little air. The bedroom baseboards therefore stay in place as backup, or small-capacity heads can be added there. We discuss this frankly during the visit, house plan in hand, before proposing a configuration.

The capacity that remains when it is cold

The certificate lists 22,200 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F), about 92% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 2.88, and 24,200 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), about 101%, with a COP of 2.34. 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.

For a well-insulated bungalow, these figures mean the heat pump can carry the heating of the open area for the vast majority of the winter, with high efficiency. The baseboards, set a few degrees below the set point, only serve as backup.

At -30 °C, still 11,900 BTU/h

The certificate publishes the maximum capacity at -30 °C (-22 °F): 11,900 BTU/h, about 50% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 1.45. On the coldest nights, the heat pump keeps delivering more heat than it consumes in electricity, and the baseboards top up. The ENERGY STAR cold-climate designation confirms that the pairing was evaluated for this climate. In cold, humid weather, short defrost cycles pause heating for a few minutes; the white vapour rising from the outdoor unit is normal.

Electrical: what a large head requires

A heat pump of this capacity needs a dedicated circuit of a higher rating than a small unit. Before proposing anything, we check the total capacity of the panel and the electrical service, taking into account the baseboards, the water heater, the range and the house's other loads. In an older bungalow, this is often the point that determines the configuration. Since we hold the RBQ licence for electrical work, we can assess and carry out the connection within the same project.

Summer on a single level

In cooling mode, the nominal capacity is 24,000 BTU/h. The 13.0 EER2 rating measures efficiency on a hot day, and the SEER2 rating of 21.2 sums up the full season. On a single level, cool air spreads much more easily than in a multi-storey house, where it tends to stay downstairs. At low speed, the indoor coil condenses moisture from the air, which drains away: continuous dehumidification makes the whole house more comfortable on humid nights.

The ratings, one by one

• SEER2 of 21.2: cooling efficiency over the whole summer.
• EER2 of 13.0: cooling efficiency at the hottest moment.
• HSPF2 of 13.5: heating efficiency over the whole season. For a head that heats a large part of the house, this is the rating that weighs most on the bill.
• COP of 2.88 at -8 °C, 2.34 at -15 °C and 1.45 at -30 °C: heat delivered per unit of electricity, where an electric baseboard delivers one.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215324124, published by NEEP. The circuit uses R-454B refrigerant, from the new generation, with a much lower global warming potential than the previous one; classified A2L, it requires precise installation methods that we apply on every job.

The $2,664 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $2,664 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.

Installation, step by step

Choosing the central location

In a bungalow, the ideal location is often in the open area, on a wall facing the bedroom hallway or one that lets the airflow cross the house lengthwise. We avoid cluttered walls and the immediate vicinity of the stove. The head is firmly secured to the framing, up high, with a drainage slope for condensate. The load calculation, done during the visit, confirms that the capacity suits the space served.

A high-capacity outdoor unit

The outdoor unit of a heat pump this size is bulkier and heavier. It sits on a sturdy ground stand or on a wall stand designed for its load, above the snow line, sheltered from snow sliding off the roof and away from bedroom windows, including the neighbours'. We also plan for the drainage of defrost water, more abundant on a large coil, so it does not freeze on a walkway or a front step.

Lines, commissioning, maintenance and warranty

The refrigerant lines, the cable and the drain go through a single sealed opening, and a line cover can finish the run. At commissioning, the circuit is evacuated and checked for tightness, then we test heating, cooling and the drain, and set the baseboards as backup. After that, rinse the indoor filters every two weeks in season, keep the outdoor unit clear of snow and leaves, and plan annual HVAC maintenance of the coils, drain and electrical connections. 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 Duracomfort | 24,000 BTU - R454B. We assess your single-storey home, check the electrical panel and confirm your grant eligibility before signing.