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      3-ton central heat pump · CPH Series

      ComfortStar CPH3H-36CD(O)

      Average cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #88 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $987 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      18.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 66%
      HSPF2
      10.3 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 92%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 64%
      Heat at 5°F
      39,000 BTU/h101% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 92% of central heat pumps.
      • 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

      Specifications3 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandComfortStar
      Outdoor unit modelCPH3H-36CD(O)
      SeriesCPH Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceAugust 21, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 1, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.0 (range 16.8-18.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.2-12.0
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.6-10.3
      Capacity at 47°F37,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F30,200-33,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F34,600-39,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder101% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with SEF3-36-SG3 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.
      SEF3-36-SG3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217895720
      AHU3-36-SG3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000217895719
      CWM3-36-SG3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217678216
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$937-$2,316

      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 CPH3H-36CD(O)?
      The ComfortStar CPH3H-36CD(O) is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.8-18.0.
      Is the ComfortStar CPH3H-36CD(O) good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the ComfortStar CPH3H-36CD(O) cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $937-$2,316 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,129 in Phoenix and $1,915 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 CPH3H-36CD(O)?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use SEF3-36-SG3, AHU3-36-SG3, CWM3-36-SG3.
      What refrigerant does the ComfortStar CPH3H-36CD(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 $1,106/yrYou save $766/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 CPH3H-36CD(O)
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,106
      Current system, per year
      $1,873
      You save per year
      $766
      Payback
      17.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$5,837

      Cooling $704Heating $402Electricity used: 6,915 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $332

      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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      See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 1, 2026. How we use the data.