Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Performance | 18,000 BTU - R454B

Replacing an old wall-mounted heat pump with a new-generation unit

Many homes in the region already have a wall-mounted heat pump in the open area, installed many years ago. It still runs, but it is noisier, heats less well when it is cold, and the baseboards are working more and more. The Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Performance | 18,000 BTU - R454B is a direct replacement for this kind of unit: a single head for an open kitchen-living area, with today's technology and refrigerant.

Its certified ratings are 20.3 SEER2, 11.5 EER2 and 9.1 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified under ENERGY STAR ID 4478846. It qualifies for a $700 LogisVert grant.

When to replace the old unit

A few signs come up often: the heat pump starts and stops frequently, the outdoor unit has become louder, the room no longer reaches the set point in the first cold spells, or repairs keep piling up. An older unit sometimes uses a previous-generation refrigerant, whose recharges are becoming hard to justify. When a major repair looms on an aging unit, replacement is often the most sensible decision.

The ideal time to plan the change is before a breakdown, in spring or fall, rather than in the middle of a heat wave or at the first deep cold. A planned replacement gives you time to compare options, confirm the grant and choose when the work happens, instead of taking the first available unit in an emergency.

What has changed since

Recent wall-mounted heat pumps rely on a variable-speed compressor that modulates its output continuously. Instead of alternating between full power and off, it slows down as the room approaches the set point and speeds up when demand rises. Comfort is steadier, and the unit spends most of its time in its most efficient range.

The ratings have also changed: units are now rated in SEER2 and HSPF2, using test methods more representative of real installation conditions. Finally, the circuit uses R-454B refrigerant, from the new generation, with a much lower global warming potential than the previous one. Classified A2L, it calls for precise installation methods, which we apply on every job.

Which space it suits

A nominal capacity of 18,000 BTU/h typically suits a good-sized open kitchen-dining-living area, on the ground floor of a cottage or a townhouse. Replacement is also the opportunity to check that the old size was the right one. If the house has been insulated, if windows have been replaced or if rooms have been opened up since the original installation, the load may have changed: we redo the calculation rather than automatically keeping the same size.

Be wary, too, of comparing nameplates: an old unit with the same nominal capacity did not necessarily deliver the same heat in cold weather. It is the points measured at -8 °C and -15 °C that allow a comparison, and those are what we base our recommendation on.

Winter, certified figures

The certificate lists 14,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F), about 78% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 2.49, and 11,500 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), about 64%, with a COP of 1.99. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.

In practice, the heat pump heats the open area through the fall, the spring and most winter days, with much better efficiency than baseboards. In deep cold, its capacity drops and the baseboards take over part of the demand. The recommended setting stays simple: the heat pump holds the main set point, the baseboard thermostats are set a few degrees lower, and they only switch on when the heat pump needs help.

Cooling and dehumidification

In cooling mode, the nominal capacity is 18,000 BTU/h. The 11.5 EER2 rating measures efficiency on a hot day, and the SEER2 rating of 20.3 sums up efficiency over the whole season. Compared with an old fixed-speed unit, a variable-speed heat pump dehumidifies better: it runs long at low speed, the indoor coil stays cold and condenses moisture from the air, which drains away. Dehumidification becomes continuous, and the open area stays comfortable without icy air. At low speed, the indoor fan also turns more gently, which you notice most in the evening, while watching TV or talking at the table.

The ratings, explained

• SEER2 of 20.3: cooling efficiency over the whole summer.
• EER2 of 11.5: cooling efficiency at the hottest moment.
• HSPF2 of 9.1: heating efficiency over the whole season, the most decisive in Quebec.
• COP of 2.49 at -8 °C and 1.99 at -15 °C: heat delivered per unit of electricity, where an electric baseboard delivers one.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215413221, published by NEEP.

The $700 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $700 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.

The replacement, step by step

Removing the old unit

The old heat pump's refrigerant is recovered according to the rules before any dismantling; it must never be released into the air. We then remove the indoor unit, the outdoor unit and its stand. When possible, the new wall head reuses the same wall and the same opening, which limits touch-ups. If a new location is better for air circulation, we suggest it and close the old opening neatly.

Lines, stand and outdoor unit

We assess the condition and diameter of the existing refrigerant lines to decide whether they can be reused or should be replaced; with a new refrigerant, we favour the solution that ensures the circuit stays tight over the long term. The outdoor unit goes on a ground or wall stand, above the snow line, away from bedroom windows, including the neighbours'. It is also a chance to correct an old stand that was too low and buried in snow every winter.

Electrical and commissioning

The system needs a dedicated circuit. The old unit's circuit can sometimes be used, but we check that the breaker, wiring and disconnect suit the new unit before reusing it. At commissioning, the circuit is evacuated and checked for tightness, then we test heating, cooling and the drain, and set the baseboards as backup.

Maintenance and warranty

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. 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 Performance | 18,000 BTU - R454B. We assess your current unit and your open area and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.