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      3-ton central heat pump · SDi Extreme 2

      ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA

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

      Ranks #136 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,017 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.4 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 55%
      HSPF2
      10.3 Heating efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 92%
      EER2
      11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 43%
      Heat at 5°F
      39,000 BTU/h105% 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 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 92% 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
      BrandECOER
      Outdoor unit modelESCA17H-36ABA
      SeriesSDi Extreme 2
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 31, 2024
      Last certifiedJune 18, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.4 (range 15.8-17.4)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.7-11.7
      Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.4-10.3
      Capacity at 47°F37,000-38,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F29,200-31,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F36,000-39,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder105% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with EAHDEC-36AB at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      EAHDEC-36AB · cold climate17.411.710.339,000216980949
      ESCT3036BBA · cold climate15.810.79.436,000216706031
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$969-$2,382

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA?
      The ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA is rated at up to 17.4 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 2 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.8-17.4.
      Is the ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,000 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 ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $969-$2,382 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,166 in Phoenix and $1,968 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 ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use EAHDEC-36AB, ESCT3036BBA.
      What refrigerant does the ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA 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 $1,141/yrYou save $747/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 ECOER ESCA17H-36ABA
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,141
      Current system, per year
      $1,889
      You save per year
      $747
      Payback
      18.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,025

      Cooling $728Heating $413Electricity used: 7,134 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $312

      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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      See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 18, 2025. How we use the data.