What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1?

The Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 is rated at up to 19.2 SEER2 and 12.1 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 9 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.3-19.2.

Is the Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 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 36,000 BTU model.

How much does the Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $883-$2,450 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,100 in Phoenix and $2,056 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 38VMB036HDS3-1 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.

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38VMB036HDS3-1*

Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #186 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,016 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 19.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 11%
HSPF2: 9.2 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 16%
EER2: 12.1 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 31%
Heat at 5°F: 26,000 BTU/hOutput on a very cold night
Below average · beats 9%

A good fit if…

You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

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 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

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant, ICP Commercial
Outdoor unit model	38VMB036HDS3-1
Series	38VMB036HDS3-1*
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	February 1, 2017
Last certified	February 17, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	19.2 (range 17.3-19.2)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.1
Cooling capacity	36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.1-9.2
Capacity at 47°F	- BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	28,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	26,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder

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 matchups9 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	19.2	12.1	9.2	26,000	213160418
- BRYANT	19.2	12.1	9.2	26,000	213160421
- ICP COMMERCIAL	19.2	12.1	9.2	26,000	213160424
- CARRIER	18.3	11.9	9.2	26,000	213160420
- BRYANT	18.3	11.9	9.2	26,000	213160423
- ICP COMMERCIAL	18.3	11.9	9.2	26,000	213160426
- CARRIER	17.3	11.7	9.1	26,000	213160419
- BRYANT	17.3	11.7	9.1	26,000	213160422
- ICP COMMERCIAL	17.3	11.7	9.1	26,000	213160425

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$883-$2,450

Phoenix, AZ$1,100/yr
Miami, FL$883/yr
Houston, TX$987/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,016/yr
Los Angeles, CA$993/yr
New York, NY$2,450/yr
Chicago, IL$1,993/yr
Denver, CO$1,660/yr
Seattle, WA$1,023/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,056/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 38VMB036HDS3-1?: The Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 is rated at up to 19.2 SEER2 and 12.1 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.2 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 9 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.3-19.2.
Is the Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 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 36,000 BTU model.
How much does the Carrier 38VMB036HDS3-1 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $883-$2,450 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,100 in Phoenix and $2,056 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 38VMB036HDS3-1 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 $1,098/yrYou save $758/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 38VMB036HDS3-1

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: $1,098
Current system, per year: $1,856
You save per year: $758
Payback: 17.8 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,920

Cooling $660Heating $438Electricity used: 6,864 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $325

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 36,000 BTU models

Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-5D36NL19.2 SEER2 · 9.3 HSPF2
Midea MDV-H36DVN1-(D)19.2 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Lennox VPC036H4M-3PD19.2 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Ameristar M4THM1936A14N · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Sea Breeze CSZ36H424ZMO · cold climate19.4 SEER2 · 10.5 HSPF2
Ameristar M4THM1942A15N · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
MOOVAIR DMA36HOS28230E8 · cold climate19.4 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
Haier 4U36EH2HD · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2

See all 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of February 17, 2025. How we use the data.