HVAC Rated
    Menu

      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MP-series

      Carrier 38MPRBQ18AA3

      Excellent cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #14 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $435 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      26.3 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 92%
      HSPF2
      11.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      EER2
      15.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Excellent · beats 93%
      Heat at 5°F
      24,000 BTU/h120% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 99%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 92% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 24,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 75% 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

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandCarrier
      Also sold asBryant, Midea, WeatherMaker, Payne
      Outdoor unit model38MPRBQ18AA3
      Series38MP-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedJune 13, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better26.3 (range 26.3)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors15.3
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.0
      Capacity at 47°F20,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F20,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F24,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.89
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder120% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MPHBQ18XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 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.
      40MPHBQ18XA3 CARRIER · cold climate26.315.311.024,000207826658
      619PHBQ18XA3 BRYANT · cold climate26.315.311.024,000207826657
      DHMPHBQ18XA3 MIDEA · cold climate26.315.311.024,000207826656
      DHMPHBQ18XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate26.315.311.024,000207826655
      DHMPHBQ18XA3 PAYNE · cold climate26.315.311.024,000207826654
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$325-$1,093

      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 38MPRBQ18AA3?
      The Carrier 38MPRBQ18AA3 is rated at up to 26.3 SEER2 and 15.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Carrier 38MPRBQ18AA3 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 24,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.89, so it is still 2.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Carrier 38MPRBQ18AA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $325-$1,093 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $432 in Phoenix and $937 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 38MPRBQ18AA3?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MPHBQ18XA3, BRYANT 619PHBQ18XA3, MIDEA DHMPHBQ18XA3.
      What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MPRBQ18AA3 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 $445/yrYou save $516/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 38MPRBQ18AA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $445
      Current system, per year
      $961
      You save per year
      $516
      Payback
      13.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,837

      Cooling $241Heating $204Electricity used: 2,778 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $297

      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 18,000 BTU models

      See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

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