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      3-ton central heat pump · K-SERIES

      Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC

      Excellent cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #33 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,037 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 94%
      HSPF2
      8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 38%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 80%
      Heat at 5°F
      43,000 BTU/h113% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 76%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 94% of central heat pumps.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 43,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3 ton, R-410A
      General
      BrandFriedrich
      Outdoor unit modelFRP18AZ36AJVC
      SeriesK-SERIES
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceApril 13, 2023
      Last certifiedJuly 7, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.0 (range 19.0-20.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
      Cooling capacity34,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5
      Capacity at 47°F36,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F37,400-40,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F40,500-43,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.10-2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder113% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FRHMVZ6021SEACA at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      FRHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate-20.012.58.540,500213087287
      TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateFR962V0705A21M419.012.58.543,000214731876
      TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateFR962V0703A17M419.012.58.543,000214731875
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$810-$2,574

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC?
      The Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.0-20.0.
      Is the Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 43,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $810-$2,574 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,055 in Phoenix and $2,194 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 Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FRHMVZ6021SEACA, TCFZ6021SEAAM.
      What refrigerant does the Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC 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.

      Heat pump $1,076/yrYou save $717/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 Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,076
      Current system, per year
      $1,793
      You save per year
      $717
      Payback
      18.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$5,834

      Cooling $602Heating $474Electricity used: 6,727 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $303

      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 July 7, 2026. How we use the data.