DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 18000 BTU - R454B

24.0 SEER2 and modulation starting at 3,600 BTU/h: the 18,000 BTU unit that takes care of summer

In many homes across Greater Montreal, the heating already works very well, with a furnace, baseboard heaters, or a central system. What is missing is efficient air conditioning and a way to reduce energy bills during the milder months. The DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 18,000 BTU - R454B is built for this role. Its seasonal cooling efficiency reaches 24.0 SEER2, above the Sirius Heat 18,000 BTU's 21.7 SEER2, and its certified cooling range goes down to 3,600 BTU/h, compared with 8,400 BTU/h for its Sirius equivalent.

Its other certified ratings are 13.5 EER2 and 11.1 HSPF2. The system is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold climate designation, heats down to -25 °C, and appears on the LogisVert list with a $1,800 rebate.

Why low modulation changes summer comfort

A unit that cannot drop below a certain capacity eventually stops and starts frequently when demand is low, such as on a June evening at 24 °C with high humidity. The room is cool, but the air still feels heavy. With a range of 3,600 to 20,000 BTU/h, this system can run for long periods at low speed: the coil stays cold, moisture condenses, and the air becomes more comfortable at the same temperature. The DRY mode enhances this effect when humidity is the main source of discomfort.

During heat waves, the capacity reserve up to 20,000 BTU/h helps remove the accumulated heat from a west-facing room. The ECO/GEAR function can then limit cooling consumption.

Efficient supplemental heating

• At 8 °C: 18,000 BTU/h, range of 7,600 to 22,000 BTU/h, COP of 3.80
• At -8 °C: 15,000 BTU/h, COP of 2.56
• At -15 °C: 13,000 BTU/h, COP of 2.35
• At -25 °C: up to 8,200 BTU/h, COP of 1.70

These values come from certificate AHRI 215359283, published by NEEP. In fall and spring, a COP of 3.80 means nearly four units of heat for one unit of electricity. In the middle of winter, the unit continues to heat efficiently, while the existing system takes over when demand exceeds its capacity or below -25 °C, its heating operating limit. Its HSPF2 rating of 11.1 also exceeds that of the Sirius Heat 18,000 BTU, which instead focuses on capacity in extreme cold.

Cooling the bedroom level

A common request is to cool an entire bedroom level with a single unit. An 18,000 BTU unit installed in the hallway or on the landing can do so when the doors remain open and the rooms are nearby. Closed or distant bedrooms will receive less air; in that case, we discuss a second unit or a multi-zone system. The maximum airflow of 759 CFM helps project air farther, while the lower settings of 371, 441, and 500 CFM keep operation quiet at night.

LogisVert: $1,800

The system carries ENERGY STAR ID 3621178 and qualifies for a $1,800 rebate for the owner of an existing home, according to the list in effect on the installation date. An enhanced rebate may apply in some multi-unit buildings. We verify eligibility before signing and provide all required documents.

From the basement to the top floor: installing an 18,000 BTU Standard successfully

The performance promised by the ratings depends on installation quality. Here are the elements we plan.

The indoor unit

The wall-mounted unit measures 42.60 x 9.21 x 13.27 inches and weighs 30.4 pounds. With this system, its sound level ranges from 20 dB(A) in Silence mode to 54 dB(A) in Turbo mode. We secure it to the framing, high enough to distribute air properly, with sufficient drainage slope for condensate, which is plentiful in summer. The vertical louver oscillates automatically; the lateral direction is adjusted manually during commissioning. The remote control offers Follow Me, Sleep, Silence, Turbo, Active Clean, Gentle, and freeze protection at 8 °C. Wi-Fi is not built in; DuraStar offers a separately sold Wi-Fi adapter module, and the DRSTAT101 wall thermostat is compatible.

The outdoor unit

The condenser measures 35.04 x 13.46 x 26.50 inches, weighs 92.6 pounds, and produces 59 dB(A). We place it on a ground stand or on a wall bracket anchored to the structure, above the snow line and away from bedroom windows. The base pan heater and corrosion-resistant fin coating are standard.

The refrigerant lines

The lines are 1/4 and 1/2 inch, precharged for 25 feet, with a maximum length of 98 feet and a maximum elevation difference of 66 feet. Beyond the factory charge, we add 0.16 ounces of refrigerant per foot. This elevation difference can, for example, connect an indoor unit on the second floor to a ground-mounted condenser. Our installations are entirely exposed, with no work inside the walls, and existing lines of the correct diameter can be cleaned and tested for reuse.

Electrical requirements

208-230 V power supply, 18 A MCA, and a 20 A circuit breaker on a dedicated circuit. We check the available space in the electrical panel and, in an electrically heated home, the service entrance capacity.

R-454B refrigerant

A new-generation A2L refrigerant, R-454B has a global warming potential of 470 according to ENERGY STAR. The indoor unit includes a factory-installed leak detector.

Normal behavior and warning signs

• Normal: white vapor at the condenser during defrosting, a three-minute delay before restarting, a slight refrigerant hissing sound, and plastic creaking.
• Normal: water draining outside through the drain in summer and during defrosting.
• Report it: water dripping indoors, a persistent error code, a burning smell, or a tripped circuit breaker. Our repair service can then intervene.

Maintenance

Clean the indoor filters every two weeks during the season, keep the condenser clear, and schedule annual HVAC maintenance. In cooling mode, a clean coil and an unobstructed drain are the two requirements for dry air and leak-free operation.

AirGreen in your area

AirGreen, a family-owned company based in Montreal, 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 licences for ventilation, refrigeration, and electrical work, register the unit with the manufacturer, and prepare your LogisVert application. Financing options are also available.

Book your free estimate for the DURASTAR Standard Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 18,000 BTU - R454B: we will assess your summer comfort, your current heating system, and your $1,800 LogisVert rebate.