HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · AHU series

ComfortStar CPH36CD(O)

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

Ranks #223 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.

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
BrandComfortStar
Outdoor unit modelCPH36CD(O)
SeriesAHU series
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-410A
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceJuly 13, 2023
Last certifiedJune 9, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.0 (range 15.2-16.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0
Cooling capacity35,000-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.0
Capacity at 47°F39,000-40,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F30,400-33,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F32,000-34,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.97-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
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 AHU36-SG2 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.
AHU36-SG2 · cold climate16.010.09.534,400212940792
ACP-36C · cold climate15.210.010.032,000213386520
UACP-36C · cold climate15.210.010.032,000213386532
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,024-$2,518

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 CPH36CD(O)?
The ComfortStar CPH36CD(O) 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 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
Is the ComfortStar CPH36CD(O) 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 ComfortStar CPH36CD(O) 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 ComfortStar CPH36CD(O)?
ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use AHU36-SG2, ACP-36C, UACP-36C.
What refrigerant does the ComfortStar CPH36CD(O) 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
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 CPH36CD(O)
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
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.