The Challenge: Transitioning from Air Conditioning Only to Year-Round Climate Control in Heart Lake

Bill’s home in Heart Lake West had a conventional 2.5-ton air conditioner that provided cooling but relied entirely on his furnace for winter heating. With rising natural gas costs and growing interest in reducing his carbon footprint, he wanted a more efficient solution that could handle both seasons.

Heart Lake West is a family-oriented neighbourhood in northwest Brampton, characterized by detached homes built primarily in the 1990s and early 2000s. Many homes in this area feature similar HVAC configurations with separate cooling and heating systems. The neighbourhood’s mature tree canopy and well-maintained properties make it ideal for residents looking to invest in long-term home comfort upgrades.

Bill already had a Nest thermostat he wanted to keep, which would need to integrate seamlessly with the new heat pump system. The existing outdoor unit location worked well, but the new system would need proper snow clearance accessories for Ontario winters.

Pre-Installation Technical Assessment

Existing System Configuration:

• 2.5-ton air conditioning unit (cooling only)
• Natural gas furnace for heating
• Existing Nest thermostat for system control
• Standard lineset requiring testing for compatibility

Equipment to be Removed:

• 2.5-ton air conditioner unit

Site Requirements:

• Same outdoor location as existing AC unit
• Installation of snow stand for winter operation
• Full lineset pressure testing before connection

The Solution: Installing the Trane Resolute 4TXD2036A10NUAA Heat Pump

After assessing Bill’s heating and cooling needs, Dr HVAC & Plumbing recommended upgrading to a Trane Resolute 3-ton heat pump system. This represented a capacity increase from his 2.5-ton AC while adding heating capability that would significantly reduce his reliance on natural gas.

The Trane Resolute system is a hybrid heat pump solution designed specifically for Canadian climate conditions. Call the Doc when you want equipment that works year-round across the Greater Toronto Area, from Georgetown to East York to Brampton. Dr HVAC & Plumbing is an authorized Trane installer serving homeowners throughout the GTA.

The Resolute 4TXD2036A10NUAA is a side-discharge unit ideal for properties with limited outdoor space. Its compact footprint allowed installation in the same location as Bill’s previous air conditioner while the variable speed compressor delivers precise temperature control and exceptional efficiency.

Key Efficiency Features

Up to 20 SEER Efficiency Rating: The Resolute system achieves Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) ratings up to 20, significantly exceeding minimum efficiency standards and reducing operating costs compared to older single-stage systems.

Extended Heating Range to -30°C: Advanced compressor technology enables heat production in outdoor temperatures as low as -30°C, though optimal efficiency occurs above -10°C. This allows the heat pump to handle most of Ontario’s heating season before automatic switchover to the gas furnace.

Variable Speed Compressor Operation: Unlike fixed-speed systems that cycle on and off, the variable speed compressor adjusts output continuously between 40-100% capacity, maintaining consistent temperatures while minimizing energy waste and sound levels (55 dB).

Environmentally Friendly R410 Refrigerant: The system uses R410 refrigerant with copper coil tubing, providing reliable heat transfer while meeting current environmental standards. As a non-combustion system, it produces zero greenhouse gases during operation.

Comprehensive 10-Year Warranty Protection: Trane provides 10-year parts warranty coverage including compressor protection, with 1-year labour warranty through Dr HVAC & Plumbing, ensuring long-term investment protection.

The Installation Process: Step-by-Step in Heart Lake West

Dr HVAC & Plumbing’s licensed technicians arrived at 9 AM as scheduled, coordinating around Bill’s dog who remained comfortably inside during the work. The team began by removing the existing 2.5-ton air conditioner and thoroughly testing the existing lineset to verify it could handle the new 3-ton system’s requirements.

Components Installed by Dr HVAC & Plumbing:

• Trane Resolute 4TXD2036A10NUAA outdoor heat pump unit (Model: 4TXD2036A10NUAA, SN: S250302858X)
• HG34936A155A0004AP indoor evaporator coil (SN: S7125G01557)
• Snow stand for winter weather protection and elevated clearance
• Refrigerant line connections tested and charged to manufacturer specifications
• Integration with existing Nest thermostat for hybrid operation control
• Full system commissioning including heating and cooling performance verification
• Thermostat programming set to -10°C switchover with homeowner adjustment training

The installation maintained the same outdoor unit placement, keeping the system unobtrusive while ensuring optimal airflow. The team programmed the Nest thermostat for automatic switchover at -10°C, then demonstrated how Bill could adjust this temperature threshold based on his comfort preferences and energy cost observations throughout the heating season.

Before departing, technicians conducted comprehensive system testing including both heating and cooling modes. They reviewed all controls with Bill and ensured he understood how to monitor the system’s operation and when the heat pump would automatically transfer heating duties to his gas furnace during extreme cold.

As-Built System Specifications

Primary Heat Pump Equipment:

• Model: Trane Resolute 4TXD2036A10NUAA
• Cooling Capacity: 3 tons (36,000 BTU/h)
• Heating Range: Effective down to -30°C (optimal above -10°C)
• Efficiency: Up to 20 SEER
• Sound Level: 55 dB (variable speed operation)

Indoor Components:

• Evaporator Coil: HG34936A155A0004AP with copper tubing
• Existing Nest thermostat retained for system control

Outdoor Installation:

• Side-discharge configuration for space efficiency
• Elevated snow stand for winter weather protection

System Protection:

• 10-year parts warranty (Trane manufacturer coverage)
• 1-year labour warranty (Dr HVAC & Plumbing installation)

The Results: Efficient Year-Round Climate Control with Reduced Carbon Footprint

Bill immediately noticed the heat pump’s quiet operation during the August cooling season. The variable speed compressor maintained consistent temperatures without the cycling noise of his previous single-stage air conditioner. The installation positioned him to significantly reduce his Enbridge natural gas heating bills during Ontario’s shoulder seasons (March-May/September-November) when the heat pump operates most efficiently.

The hybrid system design means the heat pump handles the majority of the heating season, automatically switching to gas furnace backup only during extreme cold below -10°C. This reduces fossil fuel consumption while maintaining reliable comfort during polar vortex events that occasionally affect the GTA.

Dr HVAC & Plumbing scheduled a follow-up visit in early December to inspect Bill’s furnace and tankless water heater, providing an opportunity to review the heat pump’s first heating season performance. The comprehensive 10-year parts warranty ensures long-term protection for Bill’s investment in energy-efficient climate control.

Measured Performance Improvements

Up to 20 SEER Cooling Efficiency: Modern heat pump technology (per Trane manufacturer specifications) delivers significantly higher efficiency compared to older air conditioning systems, typically achieving 30-40% energy savings during cooling season.

Reduced Natural Gas Consumption: Heat pumps extract thermal energy from outdoor air rather than burning fossil fuels, eliminating direct greenhouse gas emissions. Industry data indicates hybrid heat pump systems typically reduce annual heating costs by 25-50% compared to gas-only systems, with savings varying based on local utility rates and temperature patterns.

Whisper-Quiet 55 dB Operation: The variable speed compressor maintains sound levels at 55 decibels (manufacturer specification), comparable to normal conversation and substantially quieter than traditional single-stage equipment.

Extended Heating Season Coverage: The Resolute system’s -30°C operational rating (manufacturer specification) covers approximately 85-90% of typical Ontario winter conditions, with optimal efficiency above -10°C handling most of the heating season before gas furnace supplementation.

About Dr HVAC & Plumbing — Brampton’s Trane Heat Pump Experts

Dr HVAC & Plumbing serves homeowners throughout the Greater Toronto Area, from Georgetown to East York to Brampton, specializing in high-efficiency heating and cooling solutions designed for Canadian climate conditions. As an authorized Trane installer, the company brings expertise in modern heat pump technology that reduces both energy costs and carbon footprints.

Get a High-Efficiency Heat Pump Installation in Heart Lake West Today

If you’re a Heart Lake homeowner considering a transition from traditional air conditioning to year-round heat pump efficiency, Dr HVAC & Plumbing provides expert consultation and installation throughout Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area.