Wall units are not always welcome. In a finished living room or a bedroom with a low ceiling, a plastic box on the wall is the thing everybody notices. The alternative has usually been cutting full ductwork into a house that never had any.

Both indoor units here are concealed ducted air handlers. They sit above a ceiling or inside a soffit and connect to short duct runs, so the room shows only a grille. Every handler in this series is 7.87 inches deep, which is what lets them hide in a bulkhead.

The kit, unpacked

The carton holds one outdoor condenser, two concealed ducted air handlers, and two 16 ft gas line sets and two 16 ft liquid line sets, two 19 ft communication wires, two drain hoses, two remotes with holders, two wall thermostats, wall sleeves, caps, tape, putty, screw kits and four mounting foot pads. The outdoor unit measures 42.28" x 18.43" x 33.58" and weighs 145.5 lb. The indoor units are a 12,000 BTU at 33.1 lb and an 18,000 BTU at 39.7 lb, measuring 27.56" x 17.8" x 7.87" and 36.22" x 17.8" x 7.87".

Getting the sizing right

The 12,000 BTU unit is published for up to 750 sq ft and the 18,000 BTU unit for up to 1,250 sq ft, at 360 and 500 CFM of airflow. Those are the manufacturer's own figures for a room with average ceilings and normal insulation. Natural Resources Canada asks for a recognised load calculation, CSA F280, before equipment is picked, because a leaky 1950s bungalow and a new build of the same floor area do not need the same capacity. Take both numbers to your installer and let the calculation settle it.

Heating when the thermometer falls

Heating output on any air source heat pump falls as the outdoor air gets colder. The manufacturer rates this outdoor unit to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F) and to keep cooling up to 55 C (131 F), and fits a chassis heater that keeps the base pan from icing up. What that figure does not tell you is your balance point, the outdoor temperature below which the heat pump can no longer carry the load on its own. Natural Resources Canada describes that point and the backup heat that takes over below it; your installer works it out for your house.

Hidden indoors, controlled four ways

Each air handler is rated as low as 28 dB and hides above a ceiling or in a soffit, so the room shows only a grille. You get a wall thermostat with each indoor unit as well as a remote, the wifi app, and Alexa or Google Assistant. There is a self clean cycle, a washable filter, a 24 hour timer and a child lock.

Each indoor unit has its own controller and its own target temperature, so one room can sit at 20 C while the other sits at 23 C, from one outdoor unit and one circuit. Both zones share that one compressor: output is divided when they call at once, and the manufacturer does not publish simultaneous heating and cooling for this system, so do not plan on it.

Rated 22.5 SEER2 for cooling and 10 HSPF2 for heating. The compressor ramps its speed up and down to hold a temperature instead of switching hard on and off.

R454B has a global warming potential of 466, roughly a fifth of R410A's 2,088, and is rated A2L for low toxicity and mild flammability.

Rated to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F) and cooling up to 55 C (131 F). The heated base pan is there to stop meltwater freezing under the coil during a defrost cycle.

Wifi built in, with Alexa and Google Assistant support, a remote for each indoor unit, a wall thermostat for each indoor unit, and a 24 hour timer.

Two 16 ft copper line sets, communication wire, drain hoses and mounting hardware ship with the system. The manufacturer does not publish a maximum line length for this model, so have your installer confirm the runs before the holes are cut.

This is not a plug in appliance. It needs a dedicated 208-230V, 60 Hz circuit and a disconnect at the outdoor unit, wired by an electrician. The indoor units are fed from the outdoor unit, not from separate outlets.

The manufacturer states that installation by a professional technician is required for this system. Refrigerant handling is regulated province by province in Canada.

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.

Both indoor units hide above a ceiling or in a soffit and finish with a grille, so a period room or a low ceiling keeps its lines.

An 18,000 BTU concealed ducted air handler and a 12,000 BTU concealed ducted air handler let a large open area and a single room each get what they need from one outdoor unit.

Refrigerant work is regulated in every province, and the manufacturer requires a professional technician. This suits buyers who already have an HVAC contractor and an electrician lined up.

What we stand behind

• One outdoor unit, two indoor units and two 16 ft line sets in the box
• Ships from our United States warehouse, free shipping over $150, and 14 day returns unused in the original packaging.
• 14 day returns on unused product in original packaging
• Covered by the manufacturer's warranty for material and manufacturing defects

Can a homeowner install this, or is a licensed installer required?

The manufacturer states that professional installation is required for this system. In Canada, handling refrigerant is regulated province by province, and provinces require trained service providers for installing, servicing and decommissioning equipment that contains halocarbons. Ontario, as one example, restricts removing, discharging and disposing of refrigerants to certified technicians and requires a separate trade Certificate of Qualification to actually work on the equipment. Budget for an HVAC contractor and an electrician.

What electrical supply does it need?

A dedicated 208-230V, 60 Hz circuit, not a wall outlet. On a multi zone system the indoor units are powered from the outdoor unit rather than from their own plugs, and code calls for a disconnect at the outdoor unit. An electrician sizes the breaker and wire from the unit's own nameplate.

What size room does each indoor unit suit?

The manufacturer publishes up to 750 sq ft for the 12,000 BTU unit and up to 1,250 sq ft for the 18,000 BTU unit. Treat those as a starting point. Natural Resources Canada asks for a recognised load calculation such as CSA F280 before equipment is selected, since ceiling height, insulation, air leakage and window area all change the answer for the same floor area.

How well does it heat in a Canadian winter?

The outdoor unit is rated to keep heating down to -25 C (-13 F), and a chassis heater keeps the base pan clear. Output still drops as it gets colder: Natural Resources Canada describes the balance point, the outdoor temperature below which a heat pump can no longer carry the whole load and backup heat takes over. Where that point falls depends on your house, not on the equipment alone, so ask your installer to work it out.