What is the SEER2 rating of the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK?

The Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK is rated at up to 21.2 SEER2 and 11.0 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 36 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.9-21.2.

Is the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 45,000 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 Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,056-$3,041 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,332 in Phoenix and $2,564 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

What refrigerant does the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DLC-series

Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK

Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #63 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,251 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 21.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 35%
HSPF2: 10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 43%
EER2: 11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 9%
Heat at 5°F: 45,000 BTU/h92% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 48%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 45,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 36 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications48,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Airquest
Also sold as	Smart Comfort, Midea, Tempstar, Keeprite, Kenmore, Heil, Day & Night, Arcoaire, Comfortmaker, LPS Legacy, Viessmann
Outdoor unit model	DLCMHBH48EAK
Series	DLC-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	48,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2018
Last certified	June 25, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	21.2 (range 20.9-21.2)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.0-11.7
Cooling capacity	47,000-48,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.0-10.0
Capacity at 47°F	49,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	36,000-39,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	42,500-45,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder92% kept at 5°F

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

Certified matchups36 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
- AIRQUEST · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643188
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643167
- MIDEA · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643125
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643146
- KEEPRITE · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643083
- KENMORE · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643104
- HEIL · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643062
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643041
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207642999
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	207643020
- LPS Legacy · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	211756575
- Viessmann · cold climate	21.2	11.0	10.0	45,000	215569822
- LPS Legacy · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	211756611
- AIRQUEST · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643190
- MIDEA · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643127
- KENMORE · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643106
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643169
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643148
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643043
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643022
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643001
- KEEPRITE · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643085
- HEIL · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	207643064
- Viessmann · cold climate	21.1	11.4	9.4	43,500	215569882
- AIRQUEST · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643189
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643168
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643147
- MIDEA · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643126
- KENMORE · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643105
- KEEPRITE · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643084
- HEIL · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643063
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643042
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643021
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	207643000
- LPS Legacy · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	211756576
- Viessmann · cold climate	20.9	11.7	9.0	42,500	215569823

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,056-$3,041

Phoenix, AZ$1,332/yr
Miami, FL$1,056/yr
Houston, TX$1,195/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,251/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,227/yr
New York, NY$3,041/yr
Chicago, IL$2,479/yr
Denver, CO$2,069/yr
Seattle, WA$1,278/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,564/yr

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

Questions4

What is the SEER2 rating of the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK?: The Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK is rated at up to 21.2 SEER2 and 11.0 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 36 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.9-21.2.
Is the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 45,000 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 Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,056-$3,041 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,332 in Phoenix and $2,564 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
What refrigerant does the Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and 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 $1,337/yrYou save $1,136/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Airquest DLCMHBH48EAK

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,337
Current system, per year: $2,474
You save per year: $1,136
Payback: 15.8 years
Net after 10 years: -$6,637

Cooling $789Heating $549Electricity used: 8,359 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $563

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.

Similar 48,000 BTU models

ZERO Z4SOV-48HDMB-USHH · cold climate21.2 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Goodman MST483G22MHAA · cold climate21.2 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Samsung AM048FCMDCG · cold climate21.3 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2
PerfectAire 3PAMS48-HH-MZO5 · cold climate21.2 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Lennox VPD048S6M-5P · cold climate21.3 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2
Arcoaire DLCMRBH48EAK21.1 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
ZERO Z4SOV-53HDMB-USHH · cold climate21.4 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
Blueridge BMM48C21.1 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2

See all 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 25, 2026. How we use the data.