What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 27SCA518A**30?

The Carrier 27SCA518A**30 is rated at up to 15.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 50 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-15.5.

Is the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 good for cold climates?

It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 1.5-ton model.

How much does the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $548-$1,398 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $666 in Phoenix and $1,161 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Is the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 the same as the Carrier 27SPA618A**30?

Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 4 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.

Which indoor units work with the Carrier 27SCA518A**30?

ENERGY STAR lists 50 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FMA5X24**AL, CVAMA3217XMA, FM(C,U)5Z18**AL.

1.5-ton central heat pump · COMFORT 15 SEER2 HP

Carrier 27SCA518A**30

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 1.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #140 of 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $591 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 15.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 15%
HSPF2: 8.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 12%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 80%
Heat at 5°F: 8,600 BTU/h46% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 58%

A good fit if…

You want a choice of indoor units - 50 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for central heat pumps.
You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
Comfort and noise matter - a single-stage compressor runs only full-on or off.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications1.5 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant
Outdoor unit model	27SCA518A**30
Series	COMFORT 15 SEER2 HP
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	1.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Single stage
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	July 1, 2022
Last certified	June 29, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	15.5 (range 15.2-15.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.5
Cooling capacity	17,400-18,900 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	7.8-8.0
Capacity at 47°F	16,400-18,300 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	10,500-11,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	8,200-8,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.88-2.10
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder46% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FMA5X24**AL at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups50 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
FMA5X24**AL	-	15.5	12.5	8.0	8,200	214423915
CVAMA3217XMA	58S(B,C)B070M17*12	15.5	12.0	7.8	8,200	214195432
CVAMA3217XMA	58S(B,C)B070M17*16	15.5	12.0	7.8	8,200	214195462
FM(C,U)5Z18**AL	-	15.2	12.0	8.0	8,500	215828775
FM(C,U)5Z24**AL	-	15.2	12.0	8.0	8,500	215828807
FM(C,U)5S30**AL	-	15.2	12.0	8.0	8,600	218452508
CAA**2517AM	58TPB045V14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126669
CAA**1917AM	58S(B,C)B070M14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214124797
CAA**1917AM	58S(B,C)B070M17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,300	214124827
CAA**2517AM	58S(B,C)B045M14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126080
CAA**2517AM	58S(B,C)B070M14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126140
CAA**2517AM	58TPB070V14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126699
CAA**2517AM	58TPB070V17*16	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,500	214126711
CAA**1917AM	58S(B,C)B045M14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214124767
CAA**1917AM	58TPB070V14*12	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,400	214125310
CAA**2517AM	58S(B,C)B070M17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126172
CAA**2517AM	58S(B,C)B070M17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,500	214126202
CAA**2517AM	58S(B,C)B090M17*14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126234
CAA**1917AM	58S(B,C)B070M17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214124855
CAA**2517AM	59SC6A080M17**16	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,500	214127074
CAA**1917AM	58S(B,C)B090M17*14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214124885
CAA**2517AM	59SC2E080M17**16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214127010
CAA**2517AM	58SUA040E17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126393
CAA**2517AM	58SUB040M17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126457
CAA**2517AM	58SUB060M17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126489
CAA**1917AM	59SU5B060M17**16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125755
CAA**2517AM	58TNB070C14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126548
CAA**2517AM	59SU5B060M17**16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,500	214127183
CAA**1917AM	58SPB070V17*16	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,400	214124992
CAA**1917AM	58SUA040E17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,300	214125017
CAA**1917AM	59TN6C080C17**14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125812
CAA**2517AM	59TN6C080C17**14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214127242
CAA**2517AM	GG96VTAB48060B**	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,400	214127328
CAA**2517AM	59TP6C060V17**16	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,400	214127327
CAA**1917AM	58SUB040M17*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125077
CAA**1917AM	58SUB060M17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125107
CAA**1917AM	58TNB070C14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125191
CAA**1917AM	58TNB090C17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125245
CAA**2517AM	59SC2E060M17**14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126978
CAA**2517AM	58TNB070C17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,500	214126575
CAA**2517AM	58TNB090C17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,500	214126602
CAA**2517AM	58SPB045V14*12	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126293
CAA**2517AM	58SPB070V17*16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214126343
CAA**1917AM	58SPB045V14*12	15.2	11.7	7.8	8,400	214124942
CAA**1917AM	59SC2E060M17**14	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125526
CAA**1917AM	59SC2E080M17**16	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214125556
FJ5AN*B30L	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	214179548
FMA5X18**AL	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,200	214423883
FM(C,U)5Z30**AL	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,200	215828839
F55AA*B30L	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	8,400	216463680

Same unit, other model numbers3

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Carrier 27SCA518A**30: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Carrier 27SPA618A**30
Bryant 235SAN018**AA
Bryant 246SAN018**AA

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$548-$1,398

Phoenix, AZ$666/yr
Miami, FL$548/yr
Houston, TX$597/yr
Atlanta, GA$591/yr
Los Angeles, CA$573/yr
New York, NY$1,398/yr
Chicago, IL$1,132/yr
Denver, CO$939/yr
Seattle, WA$575/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,161/yr

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

Questions6

What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 27SCA518A**30?: The Carrier 27SCA518A**30 is rated at up to 15.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 50 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-15.5.
Is the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 good for cold climates?: It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 1.5-ton model.
How much does the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $548-$1,398 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $666 in Phoenix and $1,161 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 the same as the Carrier 27SPA618A**30?: Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 4 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
Which indoor units work with the Carrier 27SCA518A**30?: ENERGY STAR lists 50 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FMA5X24**AL, CVAMA3217XMA, FM(C,U)5Z18**AL.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 27SCA518A**30 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 $656/yrYou save $267/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 Carrier 27SCA518A**30

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: $656
Current system, per year: $923
You save per year: $267
Payback: 26.2 years
Net after 10 years: -$4,326

Cooling $411Heating $245Electricity used: 4,100 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $51

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 1.5 ton models

Bryant PH5SAN518**AA15.5 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
York YH518E2S1116.0 SEER2 · 7.8 HSPF2
Grandaire W5H5S18*K*AAA15.5 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
Friedrich FWP15AY18AJ2N16.0 SEER2 · 7.8 HSPF2
Heil B5H6S18*K*AAA15.5 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
Coleman XH518E2S1116.0 SEER2 · 7.8 HSPF2
Heil H5H6S18*K*AAA15.5 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
York YH618E2S1116.0 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2

See all 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 29, 2026. How we use the data.