HVAC Rated

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

Arcoaire DLCMTAH48EAK

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

Ranks #111 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,407 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
18.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 7%
HSPF2
8.8 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 6%
EER2
10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 5%
Heat at 5°F
34,000 BTU/h71% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 9%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 34,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 12 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.
  • 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
BrandArcoaire
Also sold asComfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, Kenmore, Midea, Tempstar, Smart Comfort, Airquest, LPS Legacy, Viessmann
Outdoor unit modelDLCMTAH48EAK
SeriesDLC series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size48,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-410A
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceOctober 5, 2023
Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.7 (range 18.7)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0
Cooling capacity48,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.8
Capacity at 47°F48,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F32,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F34,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder71% 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 matchups12 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 climate18.710.08.834,000213363382
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363394
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363406
- HEIL · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363418
- KEEPRITE · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363430
- KENMORE · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363442
- MIDEA · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363454
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363466
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363478
- AIRQUEST · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363490
- LPS Legacy · cold climate18.710.08.834,000213363502
- Viessmann · cold climate18.710.08.834,000215569874
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,209-$3,403

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 DLCMTAH48EAK?
The Arcoaire DLCMTAH48EAK is rated at up to 18.7 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Arcoaire DLCMTAH48EAK 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 1.80, so it is still 1.8 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Arcoaire DLCMTAH48EAK cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,209-$3,403 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,514 in Phoenix and $2,862 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 DLCMTAH48EAK 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 $1,514/yrYou save $961/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 DLCMTAH48EAK
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,514
Current system, per year
$2,475
You save per year
$961
Payback
18.7 years
Net after 10 years
-$8,394

Cooling $904Heating $611Electricity used: 9,465 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $384

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.