KINGHOME Polaris R32 Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 12000 BTU
SEER2 (Efficacité de climatisation en saison)
HSPF2 (Efficacité de chauffage en saison)
EER2 (Efficacité instantanée en climatisation)
COP à -8 °C (Rendement énergétique du chauffage)
COP à -15 °C (Rendement énergétique du chauffage)
COP à -30 °C (MAX)
CFM (Débit d'air)
The format that replaces the most electric baseboard heaters in Quebec
Of all the ductless heat pump formats we install, the 12,000 BTU model is the one we install most often. It matches a very Quebec reality: a main living area, with an open-concept living room and kitchen heated by electric baseboard heaters, where the homeowner wants both summer cooling and a real reduction in their winter bill. The KINGHOME Polaris R32 | 12,000 BTU Ductless Heat Pump is designed for this scenario.
Its published ratings are 25.5 SEER2 for cooling and 10 HSPF2 for heating, with an EER2 of 14.5. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation, and it appears on Hydro-Québec's list with a $1,800 LogisVert rebate.
Why 12,000 BTU instead of 9,000 or 18,000
The difference between these three sizes is not based solely on floor area. It also depends on air volume, the number of openings between rooms, and the amount of glazing.
A 12,000 BTU unit typically serves an open area of 400 to 650 square feet, or a large room with an opening toward a hallway. Its modulation range is 2,730 to 17,060 BTU/h: it covers both the shoulder season, when the unit runs at minimum output, and a 32 °C heatwave day with full late-afternoon sun.
The typical case where we recommend the 18,000 BTU model instead is a completely open ground floor with a central staircase. The unit would then have to supply two partially connected levels, which exceeds what a 12,000 BTU unit can handle properly.
How modulation changes a winter heating bill
An electric baseboard heater converts one kilowatt-hour of electricity into one kilowatt-hour of heat. Its efficiency is always 1, regardless of the outdoor temperature. A heat pump moves heat instead of producing it, allowing it to exceed that ratio.
The COP measures this ratio. On this model, it is 1.8 at -15 °C: even in the middle of a bitter cold spell, the unit supplies nearly twice as much heat as a baseboard heater using the same amount of electricity. In milder conditions, between 0 and 8 °C - that is, during the majority of heating hours in a year in Montreal - the difference is even greater.
This is why we rarely recommend removing the baseboard heaters. The right strategy is to let the heat pump provide comfort in the main living area for most of the season, while keeping the baseboard heaters as backup in closed bedrooms and during periods of extreme cold.
Key heating figures
- Capacity at 8 °C: 12,000 BTU/h
- Capacity at -8 °C: 15,000 BTU/h
- Capacity at -15 °C: 13,700 BTU/h
- Heating operating range: down to -30 °C
- Cooling range: up to 50 °C
The capacity at -8 °C exceeds the rated capacity. This is not a typo: it is the normal behaviour of an inverter compressor, which modulates down when the weather is mild and increases its output as demand rises. Hydro-Québec also publishes this same value of 15,000 BTU/h at -8 °C in its search tool.
The $1,800 LogisVert rebate
This model appears on the list of equipment eligible for Hydro-Québec's LogisVert program, with assistance of $1,800 for homeowners in existing homes. A separate financing bonus is available for multi-unit residential buildings.
Three practical points. The amount depends on the installation date and the list in effect at that time. The number identifying the unit in the program is ENERGY STAR ID 4617797, supported by AHRI 218451122. The application also requires complete documentation: a detailed invoice, indoor and outdoor model numbers, and proof of payment. We provide these items as soon as the work is completed.
Installing a ductless unit in a condo or plex: the real constraints
The 12,000 BTU model is the size we install most often in condominiums. It is also the one where building constraints have the greatest impact.
The wall, facade, and condo association
Before discussing the unit, you need to know where the outdoor unit can be placed. Many condo associations prohibit installations visible from the street, and some boroughs of Montreal regulate facade-mounted equipment. A backyard, side wall, or balcony may work, provided clearances are respected and hot air is not directed toward a neighbouring window.
The outdoor unit for this model measures 34.4 x 14.8 x 21.8 inches and weighs 81.6 pounds, providing some flexibility. It is rated at 55 dB(A): this should be checked when the closest neighbour is three metres away.
Line-set length
The refrigerant line is 1/4 and 1/2 inch, precharged for 25 feet and permitted up to 131 feet, with an additional 0.2 ounces of refrigerant per extra foot. This allowance makes it possible to route around an entire building when the only acceptable location for the outdoor unit is opposite the living room. The lines must be protected, insulated along their entire length, and secured to withstand freeze-thaw cycles.
Electrical supply
208-230 V single-phase power supply, 13 A MCA, 15 A maximum protection. A dedicated 15 A circuit is sufficient, which often avoids panel work. In older buildings where the electrical service is already heavily loaded, this modest requirement can sometimes make the difference between a feasible project and one requiring a complete upgrade.
Everyday comfort
The indoor unit measures 35.6 x 8.2 x 10.9 inches and operates between 27 and 47 dB(A), with an airflow of 182 to 424 CFM. It removes up to 1.4 litres of moisture per hour, a figure that matters in basements and ground-floor homes where summer humidity is the real problem, even before temperature becomes an issue.
Wi-Fi is built in, with no additional module required: the unit is controlled through an app. The 3D airflow sweeps both vertically and horizontally, Turbo mode quickly corrects a temperature difference, and the automatic cleaning function dries the coil after a cooling cycle to help limit odours.
Maintenance in three steps
- Clean the filters every month during periods of intensive use. A clogged filter reduces airflow, and therefore capacity and efficiency.
- Keep the outdoor unit clear: snow, ice, leaves, and patio furniture. Air must circulate freely at both the front and back.
- Check the condensate drainage before every summer. A clogged drain always reveals itself at the worst possible time.
Annual HVAC maintenance by a refrigeration technician completes these tasks: pressure measurements, charge verification, coil cleaning, and inspection of electrical connections.
Who this size is for - and who it is not for
The 12,000 BTU model is the right choice for a medium-sized open area, a condo, a plex unit, a partially divided ground floor, or a large primary bedroom with a home office area. It is less suitable for a small enclosed room, where the 9,000 BTU model dehumidifies better, and for a completely open ground floor spanning two levels, where the 18,000 BTU model is the appropriate choice.
Warranty and support
Kinghome covers the compressor and parts for 12 years in residential applications on registered models, and for 5 or 7 years in commercial applications. We handle the registration because an unregistered warranty is worthless when you need it.
At AirGreen, our assessment considers the building: insulation, orientation, glazing, ceiling height, airflow, electrical capacity, and outdoor-unit location. Our refrigeration technicians are employees, we carry $5,000,000 in liability insurance, and we serve Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, the Montérégie, the North Shore, and the South Shore.
Request your free estimate for the KINGHOME Polaris R32 | 12,000 BTU Ductless Heat Pump. We will confirm your eligibility for LogisVert, assess your installation constraints, and provide you with a detailed quote.