HVAC Rated

48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · D5C Series

Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK

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

Ranks #4 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,118 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
24.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 75%
HSPF2
10.6 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 65%
EER2
12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 44%
Heat at 5°F
38,000 BTU/h75% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 67%

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 33 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

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

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications48,000 BTU, R-454B
General
BrandArcoaire
Also sold asComfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, Kenmore, Midea, Tempstar, Smart Comfort, LPS Legacy, Airquest
Outdoor unit modelD5CMRAH48FAK
SeriesD5C Series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size48,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 15, 2018
Last certifiedMay 6, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.0 (range 20.5-24.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-12.5
Cooling capacity45,000-47,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.4-10.6
Capacity at 47°F47,000-48,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F39,000-40,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F36,000-38,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00-2.10
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder75% 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 matchups33 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.
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357184
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357226
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357268
- HEIL · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357310
- KEEPRITE · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357352
- KENMORE · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357394
- MIDEA · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357442
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357520
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357562
- LPS Legacy · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357646
- AIRQUEST · cold climate24.012.510.436,000215357604
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357186
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357228
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357270
- HEIL · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357312
- KEEPRITE · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357354
- KENMORE · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357396
- MIDEA · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357447
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357522
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357564
- AIRQUEST · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357606
- LPS Legacy · cold climate22.512.310.537,000215357648
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357185
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357227
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357269
- HEIL · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357311
- KEEPRITE · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357353
- KENMORE · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357395
- MIDEA · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357445
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357521
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357563
- LPS Legacy · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357647
- AIRQUEST · cold climate20.512.010.638,000215357605
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$906-$2,750

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

Questions4
What is the SEER2 rating of the Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK?
The Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK is rated at up to 24.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.6 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 33 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.5-24.0.
Is the Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,000 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 Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $906-$2,750 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,162 in Phoenix and $2,332 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
What refrigerant does the Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK 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 $1,177/yrYou save $1,220/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 Arcoaire D5CMRAH48FAK
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,177
Current system, per year
$2,396
You save per year
$1,220
Payback
14.3 years
Net after 10 years
-$5,301

Cooling $675Heating $502Electricity used: 7,353 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $665

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

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Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 6, 2026. How we use the data.