Treating three rooms one at a time means three separate systems, three outdoor units and three sets of line covers on the wall. On a narrow lot or a townhouse there is simply nowhere to put them.

One 27,000 BTU outdoor unit runs all three zones here, at 9,000, 9,000 and 18,000 BTU. The refrigerant lines run to concealed air handlers rather than to three separate condensers, so the outside of the building stays as it was.

Everything the installer unpacks

The photo shows the full kit: three slim ducted air handlers rated 9,000, 9,000 and 18,000 BTU, the 27,000 BTU outdoor unit, coiled insulated copper and the wall thermostats. The air handlers hide above a ceiling or in a bulkhead, so the only thing on show in the room is a supply grille and a return.

Four ways to change the temperature

Each zone comes with a wall thermostat, which is the sensible choice for a ducted air handler you cannot point a remote at. A handheld remote, the phone app, Amazon Alexa and Google Home all work as well, and a child lock keeps settings where you left them.

Where a ducted handler earns its extra work

Heritage rooms, tall-window living spaces, offices and small dining rooms all look better without a box on the wall. The trade is a little more install work up front in exchange for nothing visible afterwards but a grille.

Three set points in one building

The cutaway shows the idea: one outdoor unit on the ground, indoor units upstairs and down, and a different temperature in each space. Nobody has to agree on one number for the whole house, and rooms that sit empty all day can be left off. In this configuration the 18,000 BTU zone would take the busiest space.

One 27,000 BTU outdoor unit runs all three ducted air handlers. 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 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 24 SEER2 for cooling and 10.5 HSPF2 for heating.

A chassis electrical heater keeps the outdoor base pan clear. The manufacturer rates heating down to -25°C (-13°F) and cooling up to 55°C (131°F).

Each zone gets a 16 ft insulated copper line set and 19 ft of communication wire. 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.

A wall thermostat for each zone, plus a handheld remote, the phone app, Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

The air handlers sit above a ceiling or inside a bulkhead and feed short duct runs to grilles. Only the supply and return grilles are visible in the room.

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.

Tall-window living rooms, heritage interiors, offices and dining rooms all look better without a unit on the wall. The handler hides in a ceiling void and only the grilles are visible.

This is a heat pump, not a cooling-only air conditioner. It carries an HSPF2 heating rating of 10.5 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 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 36,000 BTU but the outdoor unit is 27,000 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 27,000 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 -25°C (-13°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.