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

A COP of 2.85 at -8 °C and 19 dB(A): the 12,000 BTU unit designed for condo and duplex living

In a condominium or duplex, two criteria come up in every project: consuming as little electricity as possible and not disturbing yourself or your neighbours. The DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12,000 BTU - R454B meets both needs. Among the 12,000 BTU DuraStar wall-mounted heat pumps we offer, this model has the highest certified coefficient of performance at -8 °C, with a COP of 2.85. Its indoor unit also operates as quietly as 19 dB(A) in Silence mode, the lowest level in our entire DuraStar wall-mounted selection.

Its certified ratings are 23.1 SEER2, 12.2 EER2, and 11.5 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation, operates in heating mode down to -25 °C, and qualifies for a $1,248 LogisVert rebate.

Certified ratings

• At 8 °C: 12,000 BTU/h, range of 4,100 to 14,400 BTU/h, COP of 3.66
• At -8 °C: 10,400 BTU/h, COP of 2.85
• At -15 °C: 8,600 BTU/h, COP of 2.36
• At -25 °C: up to 5,300 BTU/h, COP of 1.60
• Cooling: 12,000 BTU/h, range of 2,600 to 13,700 BTU/h

These figures come from AHRI certificate 215359277, published by NEEP. At -8 °C, the unit provides nearly three times the heat of an electric baseboard heater for the same energy consumption. In a semi-detached or attached dwelling, where shared walls reduce heat loss, this efficiency matters more than having a large capacity reserve in extreme cold.

Why this model suits attached dwellings

A condo surrounded by other units or a duplex apartment loses less heat than a detached home. Its heating load is lower and more stable. The 12,000 BTU Standard can therefore provide most of the heating for an open-concept living area during most of the winter, while the existing baseboard heaters, set a few degrees lower, take over during extreme cold and below -25 °C, its heating operating limit.

In summer, its certified modulation range of 2,600 to 13,700 BTU/h allows it to run for long periods at low output. For a top-floor duplex apartment, where heat accumulates beneath the roof, the capacity reserve up to 13,700 BTU/h is valuable during heat waves.

Silence as a practical criterion

The indoor unit operates at 19 dB(A) in Silence mode and reaches 46 dB(A) in Turbo mode, with a maximum airflow of 383 CFM. Sleep mode adjusts the setpoint overnight, while the Gentle function redirects the airflow when it becomes uncomfortable. Outside, the condenser produces 54 dB(A), a moderate level for a balcony or backyard.

The $1,248 LogisVert rebate

The system is registered under ENERGY STAR ID 3621172, with a $1,248 rebate for owners of existing homes. For duplexes and other multi-unit residential buildings, an enhanced rebate may apply. The exact amount depends on the list in effect on the installation date: we confirm it in writing before signing. See our page on the Hydro-Québec efficient heat pump rebate for the general conditions.

Condos and duplexes: the steps to a smooth installation

In a shared building, project success often depends on what happens before installation. Here is how we prepare it.

Approval and placement

In a condominium, the exterior wall and balcony are usually common areas. Approval from the condo association is therefore generally required for drilling and condenser placement. We provide the information it typically requests: dimensions, weight, sound level, and mounting method. The condenser measures 30.12 x 11.93 x 21.85 inches and weighs 62.2 pounds, a size that can be easily installed on a wall bracket, ground stand, or balcony. Some Montréal boroughs also regulate equipment visible from the street; we take this into account when selecting the façade.

The indoor unit

The wall-mounted unit measures 31.57 x 7.87 x 11.61 inches and weighs 19.0 pounds. Ideally, we place it on a wall that allows the airflow to travel across the open-concept area, away from heat sources such as the stove. The vertical louver oscillates automatically, while the horizontal direction is adjusted manually during commissioning. Available features include Follow Me, ECO/GEAR, Silence, Turbo, Active Clean, and 8 °C freeze protection, which is useful for a pied-à-terre left unoccupied during the winter. Wi-Fi is not built in; DuraStar offers a separately sold Wi-Fi adapter, and the DRSTAT101 wall thermostat is compatible.

Refrigerant lines

The system uses 1/4- and 3/8-inch lines, precharged for 25 feet, with a maximum length of 82 feet and a height difference of 49 feet. Each additional foot requires 0.16 ounces of refrigerant. This allowance makes it possible, for example, to place the condenser on the rear balcony when the living room faces the street. The installation remains fully exposed, without opening an interior wall, and a finished line-set cover can be added for a cleaner appearance in visible areas.

Electrical panel

208-230 V power supply, 12 A MCA, and a 15 A circuit breaker. This low electrical requirement makes it easier to add a dedicated circuit in condo panels, which are often already quite full. We check the available space during the visit.

R-454B refrigerant

R-454B belongs to the new generation of A2L refrigerants, with a global warming potential of 470 according to ENERGY STAR. The indoor unit includes a factory-installed leak detector.

What is normal in everyday operation

• White vapour from the condenser during defrost, with a brief pause in indoor heating.
• A three-minute delay when the compressor restarts.
• A slight refrigerant-flow sound and plastic cracking noises as temperatures change.

An indoor water leak, a persistent error code, or a tripped circuit breaker requires shutting off the unit and scheduling a service visit.

Maintenance

Clean the indoor filters every two weeks during the season and keep the condenser clear. Annual HVAC maintenance helps clean the coils and check condensate drainage, an important point when one dwelling is located above another.

AirGreen, your shared-building partner

As a family-owned Montréal company, AirGreen installs wall-mounted heat pumps in Laval, Longueuil, on the North Shore, and on the South Shore. We hold the RBQ licences required by LogisVert, carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance, and provide a written estimate after a free assessment, with no on-site signature required.

Request your free estimate for the DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12,000 BTU - R454B: we will prepare the information for your condo association, verify your electrical panel, and confirm your $1,248 LogisVert rebate.