2.5-ton central heat pump · A series
Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1
Below average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #106 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $927 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 16.2 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 36%
- HSPF2
- 9.7 Heating efficiency over a seasonVery good · beats 77%
- EER2
- 10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 10%
- Heat at 5°F
- 27,000 BTU/h73% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 12%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
- It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 77% of central heat pumps.
- You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
- You want a choice of indoor units - 11 certified pairings.
Think twice if…
- Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for central heat pumps.
- You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Comfort-Aire |
| Also sold as | Century |
| Outdoor unit model | A-VCD30SA-1 |
| Series | A series |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 2.5 ton |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | November 15, 2018 |
| Last certified | June 9, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 16.2 (range 15.2-16.2) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 10.0-10.5 |
| Cooling capacity | 29,000-30,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 8.5-9.7 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 31,000-33,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 19,600-22,600 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 22,600-27,000 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.80-1.85 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with B-VCD30SA-1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-VCD30SA-1 · cold climate | 16.2 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 24,000 | 210568226 |
| B-VCD30SA-1 · cold climate | 16.2 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 24,000 | 212940795 |
| B-KCD30SA-1 · cold climate | 16.2 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 24,000 | 213348294 |
| B-VCD30SA-1 · cold climate | 16.2 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 24,000 | 217123447 |
| B-KCD30SA-1 · cold climate | 16.2 | 10.0 | 8.9 | 24,000 | 217123461 |
| MCD30/36C1A · cold climate | 15.5 | 10.5 | 9.7 | 27,000 | 210568234 |
| MCD30/36C1A · cold climate | 15.5 | 10.5 | 9.7 | 27,000 | 212940803 |
| MCD30/36C1A · cold climate | 15.5 | 10.5 | 9.7 | 27,000 | 217123455 |
| MCD30/36B1A · cold climate | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.5 | 22,600 | 213614244 |
| MCD30/36B1A · cold climate | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.5 | 22,600 | 214810655 |
| MCD30/36B1A · cold climate | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.5 | 22,600 | 217123465 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,051/yr
- Miami, FL$868/yr
- Houston, TX$941/yr
- Atlanta, GA$927/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$896/yr
- New York, NY$2,183/yr
- Chicago, IL$1,766/yr
- Denver, CO$1,464/yr
- Seattle, WA$895/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$1,809/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1?
- The Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1 is rated at up to 16.2 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 11 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.2.
- Is the Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1 good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 27,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1 cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $868-$2,183 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,051 in Phoenix and $1,809 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 Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-1?
- ENERGY STAR lists 11 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use B-VCD30SA-1, B-KCD30SA-1, MCD30/36C1A.
- What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD30SA-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.
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See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 9, 2026. How we use the data.