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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · (24-26 SEER2) Minisplits

      AireForce DXH18PSK3IH

      Very good cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #56 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $475 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 79%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 10%
      EER2
      13.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 77%
      Heat at 5°F
      14,600 BTU/h81% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 27%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 79% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 14,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandAireForce
      Also sold asAirtemp, Gibson, Intertherm
      Outdoor unit modelDXH18PSK3IH
      Series(24-26 SEER2) Minisplits
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceSeptember 26, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.5 (range 24.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.7
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F18,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F18,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F14,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder81% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DHH18PUK3IH at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups4 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.
      DHH18PUK3IH · cold climate24.513.79.014,600216011732
      DHH18PUK3IH AIRTEMP · cold climate24.513.79.014,600216011760
      DHH18PUK3IH GIBSON · cold climate24.513.79.014,600216011772
      DHH18PUK3IH Intertherm · cold climate24.513.79.014,600216011784
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$349-$1,198

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the AireForce DXH18PSK3IH?
      The AireForce DXH18PSK3IH is rated at up to 24.5 SEER2 and 13.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the AireForce DXH18PSK3IH good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 14,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the AireForce DXH18PSK3IH cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $349-$1,198 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $467 in Phoenix and $1,029 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 AireForce DXH18PSK3IH?
      ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use DHH18PUK3IH, AIRTEMP DHH18PUK3IH, GIBSON DHH18PUK3IH.
      What refrigerant does the AireForce DXH18PSK3IH use?
      It uses R-32.

      Running cost and savings

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

      Heat pump $483/yrYou save $446/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 AireForce DXH18PSK3IH
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $483
      Current system, per year
      $928
      You save per year
      $446
      Payback
      15.7 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,545

      Cooling $259Heating $224Electricity used: 3,016 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $229

      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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      See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 17, 2026. How we use the data.