HVAC Rated

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · ACIQ Series

ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C

Average cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #243 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $410 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
21.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 42%
HSPF2
12.3 Heating efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 92%
EER2
13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 62%
Heat at 5°F
18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 67%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 92% of mini-splits.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 12 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

  • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications18,000 BTU, R-454B
General
BrandACIQ
Also sold as1HVAC
Outdoor unit modelACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C
SeriesACIQ Series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceOctober 15, 2024
Last certifiedJune 1, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.7 (range 18.4-21.7)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-13.0
Cooling capacity16,000-18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.3-12.3
Capacity at 47°F18,000-20,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F14,400-18,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F17,000-18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.86-2.10
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with ACIQ-018W-BL-MD at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups12 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unitSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
ACIQ-018W-BL-MD · cold climate21.713.010.818,000218457912
ACIQ-18W-HH-MD 1HVAC · cold climate21.412.511.018,000216032270
ACIQ-18W-HH-MD · cold climate21.412.511.018,000216032336
SCC-1218-HH-MB 1HVAC · cold climate20.612.512.217,500216032294
SCC-1218-HH-MB · cold climate20.612.512.217,500216032360
SCC-18-HH-MB · cold climate20.612.512.217,500217739017
ACIQ-18FM-HH-MD 1HVAC · cold climate20.412.510.317,000216032287
ACIQ-18FM-HH-MD · cold climate20.412.510.317,000216032353
ACIQ-18CC-HH-MC 1HVAC · cold climate20.012.512.317,000216032274
ACIQ-18CC-HH-MC · cold climate20.012.512.317,000216032340
ACIQ-18CD-HH-MC 1HVAC · cold climate18.412.011.118,000216032280
ACIQ-18CD-HH-MC · cold climate18.412.011.118,000216032346
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$368-$977

At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C?
The ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C is rated at up to 21.7 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 12.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.4-21.7.
Is the ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.10, so it is still 2.1 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $368-$977 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $453 in Phoenix and $816 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C?
ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use ACIQ-018W-BL-MD, 1HVAC ACIQ-18W-HH-MD, ACIQ-18W-HH-MD.
What refrigerant does the ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C use?
It uses R-454B.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $449/yrYou save $461/yrSee details ↓
1. Where you live
Adjust heating and cooling hours

Filled in from your city's climate. Change them if you run the system much more or less than usual.

2. The heat pump ACIQ ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$449
Current system, per year
$909
You save per year
$461
Payback
14.1 years
Net after 10 years
-$1,895

Cooling $276Heating $173Electricity used: 2,805 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $253

Estimates use the unit's rated SEER2 and HSPF2, full-load hours derived from NOAA 1991-2020 degree days, average residential electricity prices from the U.S. EIA (12 months to July 2026) and fuel prices from EIA (2025 for natural gas, week of 2026-10-05 for propane and heating oil). Very cold days that need backup heat are not modelled. Federal minimum for comparison: 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2.

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Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 1, 2026. How we use the data.