HVAC Rated

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · D5C Series

Arcoaire D5CMTAH36EAK

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #192 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,077 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
18.8 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 7%
HSPF2
8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 2%
EER2
9.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 3%
Heat at 5°F
25,200 BTU/h70% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 27%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 25,200 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 11 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

  • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
  • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B
General
BrandArcoaire
Also sold asComfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, Kenmore, Midea, Tempstar, Smart Comfort, Airquest, LPS Legacy
Outdoor unit modelD5CMTAH36EAK
SeriesD5C Series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 30, 2024
Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.8 (range 18.8)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors9.5
Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5
Capacity at 47°F36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F25,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F25,200 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder70% 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 matchups11 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 climate18.89.58.525,200216765605
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765609
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765613
- HEIL · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765617
- KEEPRITE · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765621
- KENMORE · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765625
- MIDEA · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765629
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765633
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765637
- AIRQUEST · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765641
- LPS Legacy · cold climate18.89.58.525,200216765645
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$903-$2,624

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 D5CMTAH36EAK?
The Arcoaire D5CMTAH36EAK is rated at up to 18.8 SEER2 and 9.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Arcoaire D5CMTAH36EAK good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 25,200 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 Arcoaire D5CMTAH36EAK cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $903-$2,624 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,142 in Phoenix and $2,214 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 D5CMTAH36EAK 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 $1,148/yrYou save $708/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 D5CMTAH36EAK
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,148
Current system, per year
$1,856
You save per year
$708
Payback
19.1 years
Net after 10 years
-$6,421

Cooling $674Heating $474Electricity used: 7,177 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $275

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 March 4, 2025. How we use the data.