HVAC Rated
    Menu

      2.5-ton central heat pump · CH Series

      Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO

      Average cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #62 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $800 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 58%
      HSPF2
      10.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 98%
      EER2
      11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 43%
      Heat at 5°F
      33,200 BTU/h100% 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 33,200 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 98% 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

      Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandCooper&Hunter
      Outdoor unit modelCH-PQ33-230VO
      SeriesCH Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size2.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceOctober 10, 2024
      Last certifiedJune 29, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.5 (range 16.0-17.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.5-12.0
      Cooling capacity29,000-30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.2-10.8
      Capacity at 47°F30,000-33,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F23,000-25,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F30,000-33,200 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.00
      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 CH-STM30AHU24V at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups6 indoor units

      The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

      Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      CH-STM30AHU24V · cold climate-17.511.710.232,000218470847
      CH-PQ33AHU · cold climate-17.212.010.833,200215864122
      CH-ACL30-36B · cold climateRG19060B12MPS116.310.69.230,000217606251
      CH-ACL30-36B · cold climate-16.011.09.632,000217732883
      CH-ACL30-36C · cold climate-16.011.09.632,000217732884
      CH-ACL30-36B · cold climateRG19080B12MPS116.010.59.331,000217606252
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$758-$1,865

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO?
      The Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO is rated at up to 17.5 SEER2 and 11.7 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 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-17.5.
      Is the Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 33,200 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 Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $758-$1,865 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $927 in Phoenix and $1,536 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-PQ33-230VO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 6 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CH-STM30AHU24V, CH-PQ33AHU, CH-ACL30-36B.
      What refrigerant does the Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO 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 $905/yrYou save $623/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 Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ33-230VO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $905
      Current system, per year
      $1,528
      You save per year
      $623
      Payback
      17.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,768

      Cooling $583Heating $321Electricity used: 5,655 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $272

      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 2.5 ton models

      See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 29, 2026. How we use the data.