What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3?

The Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 is rated at up to 18.9 SEER2 and 9.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-18.9.

Is the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 35,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.93, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,193-$3,165 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,467 in Phoenix and $2,641 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Which indoor units work with the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3?

ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MBFQ48---3, PAYNE 40MBFQ48---3, BRYANT 40MBFQ48---3.

What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 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.

48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MB-series

Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3

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

Ranks #97 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,326 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 18.9 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 8%
HSPF2: 10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 43%
EER2: 9.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 2%
Heat at 5°F: 35,600 BTU/h70% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 32%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 35,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 10 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 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
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Payne, Bryant, WeatherMaker, Midea
Outdoor unit model	38MBRCQ48AA3
Series	38MB-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	48,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2018
Last certified	June 13, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	18.9 (range 15.2-18.9)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	8.8-9.3
Cooling capacity	48,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.7-10.0
Capacity at 47°F	50,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	29,000-35,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	35,000-35,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.85-1.93
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

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 matchup with 40MBFQ48---3 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
40MBFQ48---3 CARRIER · cold climate	18.9	9.3	10.0	35,000	207683291
40MBFQ48---3 PAYNE · cold climate	18.9	9.3	10.0	35,000	207683305
40MBFQ48---3 BRYANT · cold climate	18.9	9.3	10.0	35,000	207683298
40MBFQ48---3 Weathermaker · cold climate	18.9	9.3	10.0	35,000	207683312
40MBFQ48---3 MIDEA · cold climate	18.9	9.3	10.0	35,000	207683319
40MBDAQ48XH3 CARRIER · cold climate	15.2	8.8	9.7	35,600	211132922
40MBDAQ48XH3 PAYNE · cold climate	15.2	8.8	9.7	35,600	211132944
40MBDAQ48XH3 BRYANT · cold climate	15.2	8.8	9.7	35,600	211132933
40MBDAQ48XH3 Weathermaker · cold climate	15.2	8.8	9.7	35,600	211132956
40MBDAQ48XH3 MIDEA · cold climate	15.2	8.8	9.7	35,600	211132966

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,193-$3,165

Phoenix, AZ$1,467/yr
Miami, FL$1,193/yr
Houston, TX$1,315/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,326/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,290/yr
New York, NY$3,165/yr
Chicago, IL$2,568/yr
Denver, CO$2,134/yr
Seattle, WA$1,311/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,641/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3?: The Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 is rated at up to 18.9 SEER2 and 9.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 10 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-18.9.
Is the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 35,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.93, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,193-$3,165 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,467 in Phoenix and $2,641 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Which indoor units work with the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3?: ENERGY STAR lists 10 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MBFQ48---3, PAYNE 40MBFQ48---3, BRYANT 40MBFQ48---3.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MBRCQ48AA3 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 $1,454/yrYou save $1,054/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 38MBRCQ48AA3

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: $1,454
Current system, per year: $2,508
You save per year: $1,054
Payback: 17.1 years
Net after 10 years: -$7,462

Cooling $894Heating $560Electricity used: 9,087 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $474

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

Star Air Kontrol SAK-48-CT2/220V · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 9.9 HSPF2
Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO · cold climate18.9 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Bosch BMS500-AAS048-1CSXLD · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 9.9 HSPF2
Day & Night DLCLRCH48AAK · cold climate18.9 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
ApooDr ALC24-48H1B · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 9.9 HSPF2
DIRECT AIR DIRM-48LCDA25-1Z · cold climate18.9 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Hisense AUW-48U3TH1 · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Lennox LISH048000P431-D · cold climate18.9 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2

See all 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 13, 2026. How we use the data.