What is the SEER2 rating of the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1?

The Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 10.0 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 11 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.

Is the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 34,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,024-$2,518 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,232 in Phoenix and $2,080 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-VCD36SA-1?

ENERGY STAR lists 11 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use B-VCD36SA-1, B-KCD36SA-1, MCD30/36B1A.

What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-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.

3-ton central heat pump · A series

Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1

Below average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #222 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,075 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 16.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 26%
HSPF2: 10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 84%
EER2: 10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 10%
Heat at 5°F: 34,400 BTU/h86% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 34,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 84% 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.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-410A

General
Brand	Comfort-Aire
Also sold as	Century
Outdoor unit model	A-VCD36SA-1
Series	A series
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 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	16.0 (range 15.2-16.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	10.0
Cooling capacity	35,000-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.6-10.0
Capacity at 47°F	38,000-40,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	27,400-33,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	31,600-34,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.85-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder86% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with B-VCD36SA-1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups11 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.
B-VCD36SA-1 · cold climate	16.0	10.0	9.5	34,400	210568227
B-VCD36SA-1 · cold climate	16.0	10.0	9.5	34,400	212940796
B-KCD36SA-1 · cold climate	16.0	10.0	9.5	34,400	213348295
B-VCD36SA-1 · cold climate	16.0	10.0	9.5	34,400	217123448
B-KCD36SA-1 · cold climate	16.0	10.0	9.5	34,400	217123462
MCD30/36B1A · cold climate	15.5	10.0	8.6	31,600	214810656
MCD30/36B1A · cold climate	15.5	10.0	8.6	31,600	214810657
MCD30/36B1A · cold climate	15.5	10.0	8.6	31,600	217123466
MCD30/36C1A · cold climate	15.2	10.0	10.0	32,000	210568236
MCD30/36C1A · cold climate	15.2	10.0	10.0	32,000	212940805
MCD30/36C1A · cold climate	15.2	10.0	10.0	32,000	217123457

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,024-$2,518

Phoenix, AZ$1,232/yr
Miami, FL$1,024/yr
Houston, TX$1,103/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,075/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,037/yr
New York, NY$2,518/yr
Chicago, IL$2,035/yr
Denver, CO$1,684/yr
Seattle, WA$1,028/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,080/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 Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1?: The Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 10.0 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 11 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
Is the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 34,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-1 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,024-$2,518 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,232 in Phoenix and $2,080 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-VCD36SA-1?: ENERGY STAR lists 11 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use B-VCD36SA-1, B-KCD36SA-1, MCD30/36B1A.
What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-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 $1,207/yrYou save $663/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 Comfort-Aire A-VCD36SA-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: $1,207
Current system, per year: $1,870
You save per year: $663
Payback: 19.6 years
Net after 10 years: -$6,367

Cooling $770Heating $437Electricity used: 7,543 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $237

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.

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Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 9, 2026. How we use the data.