What is the SEER2 rating of the Continental CDHAMB-36-O?

The Continental CDHAMB-36-O is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.

Is the Continental CDHAMB-36-O good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 36,000 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 Continental CDHAMB-36-O cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $737-$2,095 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $926 in Phoenix and $1,763 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Is the Continental CDHAMB-36-O the same as the Continental CDHAMBB-36-O?

Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CDH Series

Continental CDHAMB-36-O

Average cooling and heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #46 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $864 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 62%
HSPF2: 10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 68%
EER2: 13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 62%
Heat at 5°F: 36,000 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 36,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
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

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B

General
Brand	Continental
Outdoor unit model	CDHAMB-36-O
Series	CDH Series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	May 15, 2024
Last certified	May 6, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	23.0 (range 23.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	13.0
Cooling capacity	36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	10.7
Capacity at 47°F	36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	38,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	36,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	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 best matchup at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups1 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.
- CONTINENTAL · cold climate	23.0	13.0	10.7	36,000	215213728

Same unit, other model numbers1

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Continental CDHAMB-36-O: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Continental CDHAMBB-36-O

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$737-$2,095

Phoenix, AZ$926/yr
Miami, FL$737/yr
Houston, TX$831/yr
Atlanta, GA$864/yr
Los Angeles, CA$846/yr
New York, NY$2,095/yr
Chicago, IL$1,706/yr
Denver, CO$1,423/yr
Seattle, WA$878/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,763/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 Continental CDHAMB-36-O?: The Continental CDHAMB-36-O is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Continental CDHAMB-36-O good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 36,000 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 Continental CDHAMB-36-O cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $737-$2,095 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $926 in Phoenix and $1,763 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Continental CDHAMB-36-O the same as the Continental CDHAMBB-36-O?: Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
What refrigerant does the Continental CDHAMB-36-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 $928/yrYou save $928/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 Continental CDHAMB-36-O

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: $928
Current system, per year: $1,856
You save per year: $928
Payback: 14.5 years
Net after 10 years: -$4,215

Cooling $551Heating $377Electricity used: 5,799 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $496

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 36,000 BTU models

Comfort-Aire A-VHP365A-1 · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
LG ZRUM036GSS0 · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.6 HSPF2
Bosch BMS500-AAM036-1CSXHD · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
AUX AM4-H36/2DR3A · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
1HVAC ACIQ-36Z-HH-M5C · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
AUX ASPR36HPMULO · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUMY-L36NKMU · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 11.0 HSPF2
DELLA 048-TCQ-MODU-1D4 · cold climate23.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2

See all 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 6, 2026. How we use the data.