HVAC Rated

9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DRA Series

DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A

Excellent cooling and heating efficiency for a 9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #118 of 395 9,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $187 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
26.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 91%
HSPF2
13.9 Heating efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 98%
EER2
16.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Excellent · beats 97%
Heat at 5°F
8,600 BTU/h96% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 88%

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 91% of mini-splits.
  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 8,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 98% of mini-splits.
  • 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

Specifications9,000 BTU, R-454B
General
BrandDuraSTAR
Outdoor unit modelDRA1U09S2A
SeriesDRA Series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size9,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceDecember 8, 2020
Last certifiedMay 6, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better26.0 (range 19.5-26.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.8-16.2
Cooling capacity9,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.0-13.9
Capacity at 47°F9,000-11,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F7,900-9,300 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F8,000-8,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.17-2.33
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder96% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DRAS09F2A at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups7 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.
DRAS09F2A Durastar · cold climate26.016.213.98,600215359273
DRAS12F2A Durastar · cold climate26.016.213.98,600215359274
DRAW09F2A Durastar · cold climate24.614.713.08,200215359270
DRAL0612F2A Durastar · cold climate22.114.411.88,000215359271
DRAC0912F2A Durastar · cold climate21.614.311.38,300215359272
DRADH0912F2A Durastar · cold climate19.713.011.58,300215359276
DRADL0612F2A Durastar · cold climate19.512.811.08,600215359275
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$163-$451

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A?
The DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A is rated at up to 26.0 SEER2 and 16.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 13.9 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-26.0.
Is the DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 8,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.33, so it is still 2.3 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $163-$451 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $203 in Phoenix and $378 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 DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A?
ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Durastar DRAS09F2A, Durastar DRAS12F2A, Durastar DRAW09F2A.
What refrigerant does the DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A 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 $202/yrYou save $278/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 DuraSTAR DRA1U09S2A
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$202
Current system, per year
$480
You save per year
$278
Payback
12.6 years
Net after 10 years
-$720

Cooling $122Heating $81Electricity used: 1,265 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $168

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 May 6, 2026. How we use the data.