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      3-ton central heat pump · CH Series

      Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ36X-230VO

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

      Ranks #97 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,022 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      18.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 66%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 84%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 64%
      Heat at 5°F
      37,400 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 37,400 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…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandCooper&Hunter
      Outdoor unit modelCH-PQ36X-230VO
      SeriesCH Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceSeptember 9, 2025
      Last certifiedJune 29, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.0 (range 15.8-18.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.7-12.0
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.4-10.0
      Capacity at 47°F37,000-38,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F29,200-33,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F34,600-37,400 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 CH-PQ36AHU at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups4 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.
      CH-PQ36AHU · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217902701
      CH-STM36AHU24V · cold climate16.811.29.634,600218470848
      CH-ACL30-36C · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217732886
      CH-ACL30-36B · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217732885
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$938-$2,422

      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-PQ36X-230VO?
      The Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ36X-230VO is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 12.0 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 4 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.8-18.0.
      Is the Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ36X-230VO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 37,400 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 Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ36X-230VO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $938-$2,422 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,145 in Phoenix and $2,014 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-PQ36X-230VO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CH-PQ36AHU, CH-STM36AHU24V, CH-ACL30-36C.
      What refrigerant does the Cooper&Hunter CH-PQ36X-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 $1,130/yrYou save $759/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-PQ36X-230VO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,130
      Current system, per year
      $1,889
      You save per year
      $759
      Payback
      17.8 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$5,906

      Cooling $704Heating $426Electricity used: 7,060 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $324

      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 29, 2026. How we use the data.