What is the SEER2 rating of the Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1?

The Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.6-21.5.

Is the Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 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-VMH18SV-1 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,004 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $460 in Phoenix and $840 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-VMH18SV-1?

ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORT-AIRE B-VMH18SV-1, CENTURY B-VMH18SV-1, Comfort Aire B-VMH18SV-1.

What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-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.

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · A series

Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1

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

Ranks #265 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $419 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 21.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 39%
HSPF2: 11.3 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 81%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 44%
Heat at 5°F: 18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 48%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 81% of mini-splits.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 13 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 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

Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Comfort-Aire
Also sold as	Century
Outdoor unit model	A-VMH18SV-1
Series	A series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	December 18, 2019
Last certified	June 13, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	21.5 (range 17.6-21.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.5
Cooling capacity	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5-11.3
Capacity at 47°F	17,000-19,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	10,900-15,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.75-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with B-VMH18SV-1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups13 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-VMH18SV-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	207657388
B-VMH18SV-1 CENTURY · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	212940816
B-VMH18SV-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	217101835
B-VMH18UU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	210568237
B-VMH18UU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	217101877
B-VMH18CU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	210568238
B-VMH18CU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	217101878
B-VMH18SU-1A COMFORT-AIRE	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	208141169
B-VMH18SU-1A Comfort Aire	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	217101857
B-VMH18DU-1 COMFORT-AIRE · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	210568239
B-VMH18DU-1 Comfort Aire · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	217101879
B-VMH18AV-1 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	208136322
B-VMH18AV-1 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	217123445

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$372-$1,004

Phoenix, AZ$460/yr
Miami, FL$372/yr
Houston, TX$412/yr
Atlanta, GA$419/yr
Los Angeles, CA$408/yr
New York, NY$1,004/yr
Chicago, IL$815/yr
Denver, CO$678/yr
Seattle, WA$417/yr
Minneapolis, MN$840/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-VMH18SV-1?: The Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.6-21.5.
Is the Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 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-VMH18SV-1 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,004 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $460 in Phoenix and $840 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-VMH18SV-1?: ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORT-AIRE B-VMH18SV-1, CENTURY B-VMH18SV-1, Comfort Aire B-VMH18SV-1.
What refrigerant does the Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-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 $457/yrYou save $436/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-VMH18SV-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: $457
Current system, per year: $893
You save per year: $436
Payback: 14.9 years
Net after 10 years: -$2,138

Cooling $278Heating $178Electricity used: 2,855 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $231

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

ComfortStar CHF18CD(O) · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
CanAir C23SCH18H22 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
DIYCOOL ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230B · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Breeze33 BZ33-HYP18OUT2-G2-P · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Elios DEA18HOS28230E8 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Bosch BMS500-AAS018-1CSXHC · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2

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.