DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12000 BTU 115V - R454B

DuraStar's Largest 115 V Model: 12,000 BTU to Cool a Home and Provide Supplemental Heating

When a home suffers from summer heat and its electrical system is not well suited to a 208-230 V circuit, the DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12,000 BTU 115V - R454B offers a simpler solution. Powered by 115 V, it is the larger of the brand's two 115 V wall-mounted models. Its role is clear: efficiently cool a living room or bedroom, then reduce the use of baseboard heaters during much of the winter.

Its certified ratings are 20.0 SEER2, 10.5 EER2, and 9.5 HSPF2. It heats down to -20 °C and cools up to 50 °C. This system is not ENERGY STAR certified and does not appear on Hydro-Québec's LogisVert list, so the subsidy indicated on the product sheet is $0.

Certified figures, presented plainly

• Cooling: 12,000 BTU/h, range from 2,000 to 13,100 BTU/h
• At 8 °C: 12,000 BTU/h, range from 3,100 to 13,800 BTU/h, COP of 3.41
• At -8 °C: 10,000 BTU/h, COP of 2.34
• At -15 °C: 9,000 BTU/h, COP of 1.79
• At -20 °C: up to 6,100 BTU/h, COP of 1.52

These values come from certificate AHRI 217727839, published by NEEP. The manufacturer's commercial product sheet lists some different values; we always display those from the certificate. At -8 °C, the unit produces more than twice the heat of a baseboard heater for the same energy consumption.

9,000 or 12,000 BTU at 115 V

The two 115 V models share the same indoor unit size and the same operating limits. The 12,000 BTU model stands out for its capacity: 9,000 BTU/h at -15 °C, compared with 7,300 BTU/h for the 9,000 BTU model, and a nominal cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU/h. Its seasonal cooling efficiency is also slightly better, at 20.0 SEER2 versus 19.0. In return, its outdoor unit is heavier, at 59.5 pounds, and its EER2 rating, which measures efficiency at 35 °C, is 10.5 versus 11.7. For a living room or bedroom that receives a lot of sunlight, the 12,000 BTU model is generally the safer choice.

The heat pump's role in winter

In the fall and spring, with a COP of 3.41 at 8 °C, the heat pump warms the room at low cost. In cold weather, it continues to provide a significant share of the heat while the baseboard heaters, set a few degrees below its setpoint, supplement it as needed. Below -20 °C, it stops heating, as specified by the manufacturer; the baseboard heaters then provide all the heating. This model is therefore not designed to replace a home's heating system, but to reduce its operating cost.

If the subsidy or heating in very cold weather is a priority, the 208-230 V models in the DuraStar lineup are better suited. The R-454B Standard 12,000 BTU model, for example, appears on the LogisVert list with a $1,248 incentive and heats down to -25 °C.

Successfully Installing a 115 V System in a Home: Location, Power Supply, and Maintenance

A 115 V unit must be installed with the same care as a 208-230 V model. Here are the points we check.

The indoor unit

The wall-mounted unit measures 31.93 x 7.95 x 11.50 inches and weighs 19.8 pounds. Its sound level ranges from 28 dB(A) at the lowest setting to 45 dB(A) at the Turbo setting, with a maximum airflow of 342 CFM. The louvers automatically oscillate vertically and horizontally, and DuraStar indicates up to 72 airflow angles. The I FEEL function measures the temperature at the remote control, right where you are. It also includes ECO cooling mode, Sleep, Turbo, Mute, a timer, the Self-Clean function for the indoor coil, and an 8 °C heating mode that protects the room from freezing during an absence. Wi-Fi is not available on this model.

The outdoor unit on a balcony

The condenser measures 28.03 x 9.21 x 19.61 inches, weighs 59.5 pounds, and produces 55 dB(A). Its shallow depth makes installation on a balcony or on a wall bracket anchored to the structure easier. Where snow is an issue, DuraStar's installation manual requires placing it higher than the average snow accumulation, with a minimum clearance of 18 inches, and keeping the drain hose as vertical as possible in cold weather. The documentation for this system does not mention a base pan heater; drainage of defrost water is therefore a point we pay close attention to. The coils are protected by a Blue Fin anti-corrosion coating. In a condominium, we provide the condominium association with the unit's dimensions, weight, and sound level.

The refrigerant lines

The lines are 1/4 and 3/8 inch, precharged for 25 feet. Their length must be between 10 and 49 feet, with a maximum height difference of 33 feet and an additional 0.11 ounce of refrigerant per foot beyond the precharge. The two units must therefore remain relatively close together, which we plan from the outset during the site visit. The installation is entirely exposed, with no need to open an interior wall, and a finished line set cover can be added.

Electrical supply

The system operates on 115 V single-phase power, across a range of 105 to 125 V, with an MCA of 17 A and a recommended 25 A circuit breaker, according to the manufacturer's product sheet. It must be connected to a dedicated circuit that complies with the applicable code, without sharing its power supply with other appliances. We check the service capacity and available panel space during the assessment.

R-454B refrigerant

This system uses R-454B, a next-generation A2L refrigerant with a significantly lower global warming potential than R-410A. Its handling follows the requirements for mildly flammable refrigerants.

What is normal

• A two- to five-minute delay at startup or restart to protect the compressor.
• A defrost cycle lasting two to ten minutes in heating mode, sometimes followed by white vapor.
• A slight refrigerant hiss and plastic creaking as temperatures change.
• Heating stopping below -20 °C, in accordance with the manufacturer's limit.

However, a persistent error code, a tripped circuit breaker, or water leaking indoors requires shutting off the unit and calling our repair service.

Maintenance

• Clean the indoor filters every two weeks, as recommended by DuraStar.
• Run the Self-Clean function approximately every three months, according to the manufacturer's recommendation.
• Keep the condenser and its drain clear of snow and ice.
• Schedule annual HVAC maintenance for the coils, drainage, and electrical connections.

AirGreen in Greater Montreal

As a family-owned Montreal company, AirGreen has been installing wall-mounted heat pumps for more than fifteen years in Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore. We hold RBQ licenses for ventilation, refrigeration, and electrical work, and every quote is provided in writing after a free, no-pressure assessment.

Book your free estimate for the DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12,000 BTU 115V - R454B: we will validate your electrical supply, the condenser location, and the best size for your home.