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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CHF Series

      ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O)

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

      Ranks #252 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $454 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 42%
      HSPF2
      10.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 71%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 78%

      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 71% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandComfortStar
      Outdoor unit modelCHF3-18CD(O)
      SeriesCHF Series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMarch 1, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 28, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.7 (range 18.0-21.7)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-13.0
      Cooling capacity17,000-18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.0-10.8
      Capacity at 47°F18,000-19,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F14,000-16,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F18,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00-2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      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 CPP3-18CD(I) at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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 unitSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      CPP3-18CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate21.713.010.818,000217138371
      CPA3-18CD(I) COMFORTSTAR · cold climate18.012.010.518,000217138378
      AHU3-18M · cold climate18.012.010.018,000217138360
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$391-$1,098

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O)?
      The ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O) is rated at up to 21.7 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-21.7.
      Is the ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O) 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 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O) cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $391-$1,098 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $489 in Phoenix and $923 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 ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O)?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use COMFORTSTAR CPP3-18CD(I), COMFORTSTAR CPA3-18CD(I), AHU3-18M.
      What refrigerant does the ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O) use?
      It uses R-454B.

      Running cost and savings

      Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

      Heat pump $489/yrYou save $455/yrSee details ↓
      1. Where you live
      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.

      2. The heat pump ComfortStar CHF3-18CD(O)
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $489
      Current system, per year
      $944
      You save per year
      $455
      Payback
      15.4 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,445

      Cooling $292Heating $197Electricity used: 3,056 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $238

      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 May 28, 2026. How we use the data.