A single thermostat averages the whole house and reads one room. Somebody is always too warm or too cold. Closing vents to rebalance a room just moves the problem somewhere else and strains the blower.

Three zones measure and correct their own space. The 18,000 BTU unit can hold one room cool while the 9,000 BTU unit heats another, and both report back to the same 38,000 BTU outdoor unit without fighting each other.

What a three zone kit looks like out of the carton

One 38,000 BTU condenser, three indoor units of 9,000, 12,000 and 18,000 BTU, and a coil of insulated copper with wiring, tape and putty for each zone. The 18,000 BTU unit is the largest of the three, so point that one at the busiest room.

Line sets included, not quoted separately

On a lot of multi-zone quotes the copper is a line item. Here each zone arrives with its own 16 ft insulated line set and 19 ft of communication wire and a 8 ft drain hose, along with sleeves, caps, screws, putty and tape.

What happens when it gets properly cold

The outdoor unit carries a chassis electrical heater, which keeps the base pan clear so meltwater does not freeze under the coil. The manufacturer rates heating down to -20°C (-4°F) and cooling up to 53°C (127°F). Natural Resources Canada notes most air source heat pumps stop somewhere between -15°C and -25°C, so plan on a backup heat source for the coldest nights.

Reading the yellow label

The EnergyGuide panel in this photo is the honest summary: 20 SEER2 on cooling, 9.5 HSPF2 on heating, with R32 refrigerant in the system. The graph beside it shows why an inverter holds temperature better than a fixed-speed compressor that only knows on and off.

One 38,000 BTU outdoor unit runs all three indoor units. Each zone starts, stops and holds its own temperature, so an empty room costs nothing.

A common rule of thumb is 20 to 25 BTU per square foot (Carrier publishes 25). Here, a 9,000 BTU unit suits roughly 360 to 450 sq ft, a 12,000 BTU unit suits roughly 480 to 600 sq ft and an 18,000 BTU unit suits roughly 720 to 900 sq ft. Natural Resources Canada points to CSA F280-12 for a proper load calculation.

The compressor varies its speed instead of cycling on and off. Published ratings are 20 SEER2 for cooling and 9.5 HSPF2 for heating.

A chassis electrical heater keeps the outdoor base pan clear. The manufacturer rates heating down to -20°C (-4°F) and cooling up to 53°C (127°F).

Each zone gets a 16 ft insulated copper line set and 19 ft of communication wire, plus a 8 ft drain hose. That is the material most quotes list separately.

The outdoor unit runs on 208/230V 60Hz. It wants its own branch circuit, sized from the MCA and maximum breaker figures on the unit's own nameplate, with a disconnect within reach.

Wifi app, a remote with a digital display for each zone, Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

The indoor filters pull out, rinse under a tap and go back in. Clean filters are the cheapest way to keep airflow and running cost where they should be.

Ships from our United States warehouse. Delivery to Canada usually takes 8 to 14 business days, with no customs charges or duties to pay on arrival. Free shipping on orders over $150, a flat $18.90 below that, and tracking by email as soon as it leaves.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

Found it cheaper at a Canadian retailer? Send us the link and we will match that price. It has to be the same item, in stock, sold and shipped inside Canada, and compared like for like on what comes in the box.

The 18,000 BTU unit is sized for an open living and dining space, roughly 720 to 900 sq ft. The other two zones cover normal bedrooms without oversizing them.

Older houses, additions, attic conversions and finished basements rarely have ducts where they are needed. Three zones from one outdoor unit avoids opening up ceilings.

This is a heat pump, not a cooling-only air conditioner. It carries an HSPF2 heating rating of 9.5 and a chassis heater for winter operation.

What we stand behind

• Ships from our United States warehouse, free shipping over $150, and 14 day returns unused in the original packaging.
• 14 day returns on unused items in original condition and packaging
• Covered by the manufacturer's own warranty for material and manufacturing defects
• Line sets, communication wire and a controller for every zone are in the box

How much space will each indoor unit cover?

Sizing runs off the heat load of the room, not just its floor area, and Natural Resources Canada points to CSA F280-12 for the real calculation. As a rough check, 20 to 25 BTU per square foot is the usual rule of thumb. Here, a 9,000 BTU unit suits roughly 360 to 450 sq ft, a 12,000 BTU unit suits roughly 480 to 600 sq ft and an 18,000 BTU unit suits roughly 720 to 900 sq ft. Poor insulation, big west-facing windows or a 9 ft ceiling all push that figure up.

The three indoor units add up to 39,000 BTU but the outdoor unit is 38,000 BTU. Is that a mistake?

No. On any multi-zone system the indoor ratings are not meant to be added together, and sizing guides for multi-zone equipment say so plainly. The 38,000 BTU figure is what the outdoor unit can deliver at one time, and it is shared among whichever zones are calling for it. Three rooms rarely peak at the same moment, which is why this combination is offered.

How cold can it get outside before it stops heating?

The manufacturer rates low ambient heating down to -20°C (-4°F), helped by an electric heater in the outdoor chassis. Natural Resources Canada notes that air source heat pumps lose capacity and efficiency as it gets colder, with typical COPs falling from 2.0 to 5.4 at 8°C to 1.1 to 3.7 at -8°C, and that most units have a minimum operating temperature between -15°C and -25°C. Keep a backup heat source for the coldest stretches.

Can I install this myself in Canada?

Plan on a licensed installer. In Ontario, for example, the province states that by law only a certified technician may remove, discharge, handle and dispose of refrigerants, including HFCs, and that mechanical work on refrigeration equipment needs a Certificate of Qualification on top of the refrigerant certificate. Other provinces have their own halocarbon rules. The federal Code of Practice says the same thing in plainer terms: the technician doing work that could release refrigerant must hold the proper environmental certification. The 208/230V 60Hz power supply also means an electrician and a dedicated circuit.