48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CH series
Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO
Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #98 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,326 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 18.9 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 8%
- HSPF2
- 10.0 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 43%
- EER2
- 9.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 2%
- Heat at 5°F
- 35,000 BTU/h70% of its 47°F outputBelow average · beats 20%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 35,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
- 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 mini-splits.
- You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Cooper&Hunter |
| Also sold as | C&H |
| Outdoor unit model | CH-N48LCU-230VO |
| Series | CH series |
| Type | Mini-split heat pump |
| Nominal size | 48,000 BTU |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | January 1, 2022 |
| Last certified | June 13, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 18.9 (range 18.9) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 9.3 |
| Cooling capacity | 48,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 10.0 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 50,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 29,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 35,000 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 1.85 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CH-48LCFC/I at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH-48LCFC/I · cold climate | 18.9 | 9.3 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 210799607 |
| CH-48LCFC/I C&H · cold climate | 18.9 | 9.3 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 207742343 |
| CH-48LCFC-W · cold climate | 18.9 | 9.3 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 213265592 |
| CH-48LCFC/I C&H · cold climate | 18.9 | 9.3 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 207742343 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,467/yr
- Miami, FL$1,193/yr
- Houston, TX$1,315/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,326/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,290/yr
- New York, NY$3,165/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,568/yr
- Denver, CO$2,134/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,311/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,641/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO?
- The Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO is rated at up to 18.9 SEER2 and 9.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
- Is the Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 35,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,193-$3,165 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,467 in Phoenix and $2,641 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 Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO?
- ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CH-48LCFC/I, C&H CH-48LCFC/I, CH-48LCFC-W.
- What refrigerant does the Cooper&Hunter CH-N48LCU-230VO 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.
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See all 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 13, 2026. How we use the data.