KINGHOME Polaris R32 Wall-Mounted Heat Pump | 18000 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)
When One Head Has to Handle an Entire Main Floor
The move from 12,000 to 18,000 BTU marks a change in scope, not just size. At this capacity, the unit no longer serves a single room: it serves an entire living space, often open-plan and sometimes spread across partial levels. The KINGHOME Polaris R32 | 18,000 BTU Wall-Mounted Heat Pump is designed precisely for this type of project, and its success depends as much on the chosen location as on the unit's specifications.
It offers 24.5 SEER2, 9.5 HSPF2, and an EER2 of 13.65. It is ENERGY STAR certified with the cold-climate designation and qualifies for a $2,448 LogisVert rebate according to Hydro-Québec's list.
What 18,000 BTU Can and Cannot Do
The nominal cooling capacity is 18,000 BTU/h, modulating from 5,118 to 22,178 BTU/h. One point deserves attention: this model's minimum output, approximately 5,100 BTU/h, is considerably higher than that of the 9,000 BTU model, which drops below 2,800 BTU/h.
This difference explains why an 18,000 BTU unit installed in an overly small space is often disappointing. Even at its lowest setting, it delivers more capacity than a closed room requires. The result is a unit that reaches the setpoint too quickly, removes little humidity, and alternates between short operating cycles. Capacity is not a free reserve: it must match an actual demand.
The configurations where this size performs at its best include the open main floor of a bungalow, a 700- to 1,000-square-foot living room-kitchen-dining area, a large loft, a light commercial space such as a hair salon or small office, or a fully finished basement.
Air Distribution Determines the Result
In a large room, the problem is almost never capacity. It is the path of the air. A properly sized unit that is poorly positioned creates a very comfortable zone within the first six feet while leaving the other end of the room unchanged.
Airflow ranges from 282 to 618 CFM, providing enough output to cross a large space, provided nothing blocks the air stream. Before choosing the installation location, we look at the direction of the corridor, the position of the staircase, the height of the kitchen cabinets, the openings to adjoining rooms, and the areas where occupants actually spend their time. A kitchen island, exposed beam, or mezzanine can completely change the calculation.
The 3D airflow sweeps horizontally and vertically, which is highly useful in an open-plan area. However, it cannot compensate for a poorly chosen wall.
20,400 BTU at -8 °C: The Number That Matters in January
- Heating capacity at 8 °C: 18,000 BTU/h
- Heating capacity at -8 °C: 20,400 BTU/h
- Heating capacity at -15 °C: 16,500 BTU/h, COP of 1.8
- Heating operation down to -30 °C
These figures show that at -8 °C, a common January temperature in Laval or on the North Shore, the unit still delivers more than its nominal capacity. At -15 °C, it maintains 16,500 BTU/h. For a well-insulated main floor, this covers a large portion of the heating load, with the existing system taking over during the coldest peaks.
We recommend keeping a backup heat source. Even a cold-climate wall-mounted heat pump heats the space where it is located: closed bedrooms upstairs or at the end of a corridor still have their own heating needs.
Noise Levels Increase with Capacity
The indoor unit operates between 34 and 53 dB(A). That is more than the 9,000 BTU model, which drops to 20 dB(A), and it makes sense: a fan moving 618 CFM cannot be as quiet as one moving 353.
This figure should be considered when choosing the location. In an open space adjoining a home office or a bedroom without a door, it is worth positioning the unit away from the work or sleeping area. At low speed, the unit remains discreet; in Turbo mode, it can be heard.
Electrical Requirements, Clearances, and Snow: The Three Factors That Determine the Project
Starting at 18,000 BTU, the technical requirements become fundamental to the project. They must be checked before signing, not afterward.
A 20 A Circuit
The outdoor unit requires a 208-230 V single-phase power supply, with a minimum circuit ampacity of 16 A and a maximum protection of 20 A. Moving from 15 to 20 A has practical consequences: a larger cable gauge, a dedicated breaker, and, above all, available space in the electrical panel.
In duplexes and triplexes in central Montreal neighbourhoods, already crowded 100 A panels are common. We check the remaining capacity before confirming the price, because an electrical upgrade discovered on the morning of installation can turn a simple project into a construction job.
Snow, Defrosting, and Support Height
The outdoor unit measures 37.7 x 15.8 x 26.0 inches and weighs 94.8 pounds. Taller and heavier than smaller models, it requires a support sized accordingly.
In heating mode, the unit produces defrost water. This water must drain away from the base. A unit installed too close to the ground accumulates ice underneath it, winter after winter, until the fan is blocked. We favour a sturdy wall bracket or an elevated ground stand, selected according to local snow accumulation rather than a standard height.
The roof's snow-shedding path must also be considered. A unit installed below a roof slope without a snow guard will eventually be damaged: it is one of the most common repairs we see on installations completed by others.
Refrigerant Charge and Piping
This model contains 54.7 ounces of R-32, considerably more than the 38.1 ounces in the 9,000 and 12,000 BTU models. The piping remains 1/4 and 1/2 inch, precharged for 25 feet and permitted up to 131 feet, with an additional 0.2 ounces per foot beyond that length.
A larger refrigerant charge makes connection quality even more important. Properly made flares, a vacuum process completed fully rather than cut short, a leak test, and complete insulation of both lines: these are the invisible steps that determine whether the unit will deliver on its promises five years from now.
$2,448 LogisVert Rebate
This model is listed under the LogisVert program with assistance of $2,448 for an owner of an existing home, under ENERGY STAR ID 4663287 and AHRI 218640147. A separate financing bonus applies to multi-unit residential buildings.
The amount depends on the list in effect on the installation date. We verify eligibility when preparing the quote and provide the complete documentation at the end of the work.
Five Mistakes to Avoid at This Capacity
- Choosing 18,000 BTU for a closed room. The excessively high minimum output compromises dehumidification.
- Installing it facing an obstacle. Tall cabinets, beams, or a mezzanine: the air stream needs a clear path.
- Underestimating the electrical panel. A 20 A circuit requires space and suitable cable.
- Installing the outdoor unit too low. Defrost ice accumulates and blocks the fan.
- Neglecting the condensate drain. With up to 1.8 litres of moisture removed per hour, an improperly sloped drain will cause problems quickly.
Warranty and Service
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 complete the registration as part of the installation.
At AirGreen, evaluating a project of this size includes checking the electrical panel, analysing air distribution, selecting the outdoor support based on snow and wind exposure, routing the lines, and managing condensate. Our refrigeration technicians are employees, our liability insurance is $5,000,000, and we serve Montreal, Laval, Longueuil, Montérégie, the North Shore, and the South Shore.
Request your free estimate for the KINGHOME Polaris R32 | 18,000 BTU Wall-Mounted Heat Pump. We will assess your space, check your electrical capacity, and recommend the location that will provide the best comfort.