Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Performance | 30,000 BTU - R410A

A large, comfortable ground floor, from a single high-capacity head

In a large multi-storey house, the ground floor often brings together the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and sometimes an office, in a largely open space. Heating it with baseboards takes a lot of electricity, and cooling it with window units is impractical. The Wall-Mounted Heat Pump ARCOAIRE Performance | 30,000 BTU - R410A handles this large space with a single high-capacity wall head, in heating as well as cooling.

Its certified ratings are 21.0 SEER2, 12.2 EER2 and 8.7 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified under ENERGY STAR ID 2410755. It qualifies for a $1,000 LogisVert grant and carries the Performance range warranty described below.

Who a head this size is for

A nominal capacity of 30,000 BTU/h typically suits the open ground floor of a large house, a large high-ceilinged living space, or a full, well-insulated floor whose rooms open widely onto one another. It is a high-capacity size: it is justified when the space is truly large and truly open.

If the ground floor is divided into several closed rooms, a single large head is not the right answer: air does not get past closed doors. In that case, we will propose a multi-head configuration instead. We discuss this during the visit, floor plan in hand, before any quote.

Electrical: the real starting point

For a unit of this capacity, electrical is the first question to settle. The heat pump needs a high-rated dedicated circuit, and the total capacity of the panel and electrical service must allow it, taking into account the baseboards, the water heater, the range, the dryer and, if applicable, an EV charger. In an older house, this is often what determines whether the project is feasible.

We hold the RBQ licence for electrical work: during the visit, we assess the panel and the service, and clearly present what the connection requires before preparing the quote. Depending on the case, the connection may call for adding a breaker in a free space, rearranging a few circuits or upgrading the panel; we explain the chosen option and why. You know the whole project from the start.

Certified winter capacity

The certificate lists 20,000 BTU/h at -8 °C (17 °F), about 67% of nominal capacity, with a COP of 1.87, and 20,000 BTU/h at -15 °C (5 °F), also about 67%, with a COP of 1.85. The two points are measured separately; we report each one as published.

Two things stand out. Capacity stays stable between an ordinary cold day and real January cold. And at these temperatures, the heat pump delivers 1.87 units of heat for each unit of electricity at -8 °C, and 1.85 at -15 °C, where a baseboard delivers only one. The variable-speed compressor modulates this capacity continuously, and the circuit uses R-410A refrigerant, proven and well known to refrigeration technicians.

Hybrid heating with the baseboards

For a large ground floor, the heat pump carries most of the heating through the fall, the spring and a good part of the winter. On the coldest days, the baseboards top up. The setting is 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. This tandem operation gives you the comfort of the heat pump without giving up the security of the baseboards already in place.

Distributing air in a large space

The larger the space, the more the head's location matters. The airflow must be able to cross the room lengthwise without being stopped by a partition, a tall island or a row of cabinets. An open staircase to the upper floor lets some heat rise in winter; in summer, cool air tends to stay on the ground floor. We place the head so it covers the area where you live the most, and we adjust the louvres at commissioning. In a high-ceilinged space, a ceiling fan, if there is one, also helps mix the air.

Summer across the whole ground floor

In cooling mode, the nominal capacity is 30,000 BTU/h. The 12.2 EER2 rating measures efficiency on a hot day, and the SEER2 rating of 21.0 sums up the full season. Thanks to variable speed, a large capacity does not mean icy air: the compressor slows down as soon as the space approaches the set point, and the indoor coil, by staying cold, condenses moisture from the air. This continuous dehumidification keeps the whole ground floor comfortable on humid days.

The ratings, explained

• SEER2 of 21.0: cooling efficiency over the whole summer.
• EER2 of 12.2: cooling efficiency at the hottest moment.
• HSPF2 of 8.7: heating efficiency over the whole season.
• COP of 1.87 at -8 °C and 1.85 at -15 °C: heat delivered per unit of electricity, where an electric baseboard delivers one.

These figures come from certificate AHRI 208447698, published by NEEP.

The $1,000 LogisVert grant

The system is listed in Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with $1,000 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

Visit, load calculation and location

The visit is free. We measure the space, note the windows, insulation, ceiling height and staircase position, then run the load calculation. The wall head is firmly secured to the framing, up high, on a solid wall from which the airflow can cover the whole space, with a drainage slope for condensate. We also look at the line route to the outdoor unit, so it stays short and discreet.

Outdoor unit, lines and commissioning

The outdoor unit of a heat pump this size is bulky and heavy. 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 plan for defrost water drainage so it does not freeze on a walkway. The refrigerant lines, the cable and the drain go through a single sealed opening. 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 | 30,000 BTU - R410A. We assess your ground floor and electrical panel, and confirm the right size and your grant eligibility before signing.