HVAC Rated

2.5-ton central heat pump · E Series

AireForce UXH24-36MSK3IH

Very good cooling and heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #29 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $908 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
18.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 73%
HSPF2
10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 84%
EER2
11.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 28%
Heat at 5°F
34,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 73% of central heat pumps.
  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 34,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 84% of central heat pumps.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

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

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications2.5 ton, R-32
General
BrandAireForce
Also sold asAirtemp, Gibson, Frigidaire, Intertherm
Outdoor unit modelUXH24-36MSK3IH
SeriesE Series
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size2.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-32
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceMarch 17, 2025
Last certifiedAugust 19, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.2 (range 16.0-18.2)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.0-12.0
Cooling capacity23,000-34,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5-10.0
Capacity at 47°F24,000-35,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F15,000-32,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F24,000-34,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.00
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 UMD36MSK3IH at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups20 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.
UMD36MSK3IH · cold climate18.211.210.034,000217138199
UMD36MSK3IH · cold climate18.211.210.034,000217138203
UMD36MSK3IH · cold climate18.211.210.034,000217138207
UMD36MSK3IH · cold climate18.211.210.034,000217138211
UMD36MSK3IH · cold climate18.211.210.034,000217138215
UMD24MSK3IH · cold climate18.012.010.024,000217138198
UMD24MSK3IH · cold climate18.012.010.024,000217138202
UMD24MSK3IH · cold climate18.012.010.024,000217138206
UMD24MSK3IH · cold climate18.012.010.024,000217138210
UMD24MSK3IH · cold climate18.012.010.024,000217138214
UE36X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.532,000217752935
UE24X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.524,000217752937
UE36X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.532,000217752939
UE24X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.524,000217752941
UE36X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.532,000217752943
UE24X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.524,000217752945
UE36X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.532,000217752947
UE24X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.524,000217752949
UE36X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.532,000217752951
UE24X5AB · cold climate16.011.08.524,000217752953
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$825-$2,159

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 UXH24-36MSK3IH?
The AireForce UXH24-36MSK3IH is rated at up to 18.2 SEER2 and 11.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 20 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-18.2.
Is the AireForce UXH24-36MSK3IH good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 34,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the AireForce UXH24-36MSK3IH cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $825-$2,159 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,011 in Phoenix and $1,799 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 UXH24-36MSK3IH?
ENERGY STAR lists 20 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use UMD36MSK3IH, UMD24MSK3IH, UE36X5AB.
What refrigerant does the AireForce UXH24-36MSK3IH 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 $1,000/yrYou save $683/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 UXH24-36MSK3IH
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,000
Current system, per year
$1,683
You save per year
$683
Payback
17.6 years
Net after 10 years
-$5,170

Cooling $619Heating $381Electricity used: 6,248 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $296

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 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of August 19, 2026. How we use the data.