DURASTAR Sirius Heat Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 9000 BTU - R454B

26.0 SEER2 and 12,000 BTU/h at -8 °C in a 9,000 BTU format

On paper, a 9,000 BTU unit is a small appliance. In practice, the DURASTAR Sirius Heat Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 9,000 BTU - R454B retains heating capacity that many larger units do not offer when temperatures drop. Its AHRI certificate assigns it 12,000 BTU/h at -8 °C, one-third more than its nominal rating, and it has the best seasonal cooling rating in the entire DuraStar R-454B wall-mounted range: 26.0 SEER2.

Its other certified ratings are 15.0 EER2 and 12.5 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold climate designation and operates in heating mode down to -30 °C, making it a wall-mounted heat pump designed for Quebec winters, not just heat waves.

Two seasons, two ways of working

In summer, the certified modulation range runs from 3,600 to 13,500 BTU/h. The unit can therefore run for long periods at low output in a well-insulated bedroom, removing moisture from the air rather than simply cooling it. On muggy July days, DRY mode runs the fan at low speed to prioritize dehumidification.

In winter, the range at 8 °C extends from 3,800 to 16,000 BTU/h. This margin explains the 12,000 BTU/h rating at -8 °C: the inverter compressor speeds up as the heat demand increases. For a room that loses a lot of heat, such as a bedroom above a garage or a room with two exterior walls, this reserve is what makes the difference between real comfort and a unit that struggles.

Certified heating values

• -8 °C: 12,000 BTU/h, COP of 2.46
• -15 °C: 11,500 BTU/h, COP of 1.80
• -30 °C: up to 5,800 BTU/h, COP of 1.24
• Heating operation from -30 °C to 24 °C, cooling operation from -30 °C to 50 °C

These figures come from certificate AHRI 215359245, as published by NEEP. DuraStar's commercial product sheet lists more conservative values at -8 °C. We display the certificate values because they are the ones used by ENERGY STAR and Hydro-Québec.

LogisVert and choosing between 9,000 and 12,000 BTU

This size does not appear on the list of units eligible for Hydro-Québec's current LogisVert program, which explains the $0 amount shown in the product sheet. An interesting detail: the 12,000 BTU model from the same Sirius Heat series has exactly the same certified heating capacities, namely 12,000 BTU/h at -8 °C and 11,500 BTU/h at -15 °C, and it is listed on the program's eligibility list. When the rebate is a factor in the decision, we compare the two with you, taking into account the 12,000 BTU model's additional cooling capacity and the difference in summer efficiency. The ENERGY STAR identifier for this system is 3621142.

Primary bedroom, basement, or office: getting the installation right

This size is particularly well suited to three types of rooms. Each has its own requirements.

The primary bedroom

The indoor unit measures 31.57 x 7.87 x 11.61 inches and weighs 19.0 pounds. Its sound level drops to 21 dB(A) in Silence mode and rises to 40 dB(A) at high speed, with a maximum airflow of 383 CFM in Turbo mode. The Sleep function gradually adjusts the setpoint during the first two hours of the night, then maintains the temperature. We position the unit so that the airflow sweeps across the room without being directed at the bed. The vertical louver oscillates automatically, while the lateral direction is adjusted manually.

The basement

In a basement, the real challenge is often humidity rather than heat. Dehumidification mode and extended low-output operation help keep the air dry during the summer. The main constraint is height: the indoor unit must be installed high enough to distribute air properly, with sufficient drainage slope for condensate. When gravity is not enough, a condensate pump becomes necessary, and we clearly indicate this in the quote.

The home office

An office accumulates heat from computers, screens, and extended occupancy. The Follow Me function measures the temperature at the remote control, meaning at your workstation, rather than high on the wall. The Gentle function redirects the airflow when it becomes uncomfortable.

The outdoor unit and line set

The condenser measures 31.69 x 12.99 x 21.81 inches, weighs 72.8 pounds, and produces 56 dB(A). It includes a heating element in the base pan and an anti-corrosion coating. The refrigerant lines are 1/4 and 3/8 inch, precharged for 25 feet, with a maximum length of 82 feet and a maximum vertical rise of 49 feet. Beyond 25 feet, 0.16 ounces of refrigerant is added per foot. Like every R-454B system, which uses an A2L refrigerant, the indoor unit includes a factory-installed leak detector.

Electrical requirements

208-230 V power supply, 15 A MCA, and a 15 A circuit breaker for the outdoor unit. We check the available space in the electrical panel during the visit: a dedicated circuit is required, but an electrical service upgrade is usually not necessary for this size.

Normal operating behaviors to know

In winter, the outdoor unit periodically defrosts its coil. During these few minutes, the indoor unit may stop delivering heat, and white vapor may escape outdoors. After shutting down, the compressor waits three minutes before restarting. A slight flowing sound or plastic creaking during temperature changes is also normal. A unit that stops with an error code, a tripped circuit breaker, or water leaking indoors warrants a service call.

Recommended maintenance

• Clean the indoor filters every two weeks during periods of intensive use.
• Inspect the system before each season: filters, drainage, and clearance around the outdoor unit.
• Schedule annual HVAC maintenance by a refrigeration technician to clean the coils and check the electrical components.

AirGreen, from evaluation to commissioning

Our teams install wall-mounted heat pumps in Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore. The in-home assessment is free: we look at the insulation, windows, possible outdoor unit locations, and panel capacity. You then receive a written quote, with no pressure and no on-site signature required. Also see our projects to view the types of installations we deliver.

Book your free estimate for the DURASTAR Sirius Heat Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 9,000 BTU - R454B and compare it with the 12,000 BTU size based on your room and the rebate.