What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3?

The Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 · 38M series

Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3

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

Ranks #112 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.

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
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant, Payne, WeatherMaker, Midea
Outdoor unit model	38MTRAQ48EA3
Series	38M 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	October 5, 2023
Last certified	March 4, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	18.7 (range 18.7)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	10.0
Cooling capacity	48,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.8
Capacity at 47°F	48,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	32,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	34,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

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 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
- CARRIER · cold climate	18.7	10.0	8.8	34,000	213363514
- BRYANT · cold climate	18.7	10.0	8.8	34,000	213363526
- PAYNE · cold climate	18.7	10.0	8.8	34,000	213363538
- Weathermaker · cold climate	18.7	10.0	8.8	34,000	213363550
- MIDEA · cold climate	18.7	10.0	8.8	34,000	213363562

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,209-$3,403

Phoenix, AZ$1,514/yr
Miami, FL$1,209/yr
Houston, TX$1,358/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,407/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,377/yr
New York, NY$3,403/yr
Chicago, IL$2,771/yr
Denver, CO$2,310/yr
Seattle, WA$1,424/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,862/yr

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

Questions4

What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3?: The Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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 Carrier 38MTRAQ48EA3 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

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 38MTRAQ48EA3

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: $1,514
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.

Similar 48,000 BTU models

Arcoaire DLCMTAH48EAK · cold climate18.7 SEER2 · 8.8 HSPF2
Blueridge BMS48HHUYC · cold climate18.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Mainline ML48HP230LCMH-O · cold climate18.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Arcoaire D5CMTAH48FAK · cold climate18.7 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Midea MO1HU-H48B-2A · cold climate18.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
MDV MOE30U-48HFN1-M[X] · cold climate18.7 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Sea Breeze CSZ48H525ZMO · cold climate18.5 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
MDV MOE30-48HFN10-M2X · cold climate18.7 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2

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

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 4, 2025. How we use the data.