HVAC Rated
    Menu

      6,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MAR-series

      Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3

      Excellent cooling and heating efficiency for a 6,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #12 of 42 6,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $135 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      26.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 93%
      HSPF2
      13.6 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 97%
      EER2
      15.8 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 95%
      Heat at 5°F
      8,000 BTU/h107% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 67%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 93% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 97% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications6,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandCarrier
      Also sold asBryant, WeatherMaker, Midea, Payne, DIYCOOL, ACIQ, 1HVAC, STEALTH, PolarWave
      Outdoor unit model38MARBQ06AA3
      Series38MAR-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size6,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better26.5 (range 22.0-26.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors14.5-15.8
      Cooling capacity6,000-6,500 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.8-13.6
      Capacity at 47°F7,000-7,100 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F5,700-8,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F7,500-8,000 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 colder107% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MAHBQ06XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups10 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.
      40MAHBQ06XA3 CARRIER · cold climate26.515.813.67,500207188939
      619AHBQ06XA3 BRYANT · cold climate26.515.813.67,500207188938
      DHMAHBQ06XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate26.515.813.67,500207188937
      DHMAHBQ06XA3 MIDEA · cold climate26.515.813.67,500207188936
      DHMAHBQ06XA3 PAYNE · cold climate26.515.813.67,500207188935
      40MCCAQ09XA3 MIDEA · cold climate22.014.510.88,000210857473
      40MCCAQ09XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate22.014.510.88,000210857471
      40MCCAQ09XA3 PAYNE · cold climate22.014.510.88,000210857469
      40MCCAQ09XA3 BRYANT · cold climate22.014.510.88,000210857467
      40MCCAQ09XA3 CARRIER · cold climate22.014.510.88,000210857465
      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$116-$326

      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 38MARBQ06AA3?
      The Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3 is rated at up to 26.5 SEER2 and 15.8 EER2 for cooling and up to 13.6 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 22.0-26.5.
      Is the Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,000 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 Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $116-$326 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $145 in Phoenix and $274 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3 the same as the DIYCOOL ACIQ-06ZPL-HP230B?
      Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both 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 38MARBQ06AA3?
      ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MAHBQ06XA3, BRYANT 619AHBQ06XA3, Weathermaker DHMAHBQ06XA3.
      What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3 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 $145/yrYou save $200/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 Carrier 38MARBQ06AA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $145
      Current system, per year
      $345
      You save per year
      $200
      Payback
      12.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$498

      Cooling $86Heating $58Electricity used: 905 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $121

      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 6,000 BTU models

      See all 42 6,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 17, 2026. How we use the data.