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      4-ton central heat pump · W5H Series

      Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA

      Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 4-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #196 of 319 4 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,442 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 40%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 70%
      EER2
      10.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 17%
      Heat at 5°F
      46,000 BTU/h92% 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 46,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% 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

      Specifications4 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandGrandaire
      Outdoor unit modelW5H9V48AKAAA
      SeriesW5H Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size4 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMarch 1, 2026
      Last certifiedSeptember 30, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.5 (range 15.2-16.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-10.5
      Cooling capacity45,000-48,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.8-9.5
      Capacity at 47°F48,000-50,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F34,400-39,500 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F42,000-46,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.85-1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder92% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with WCVL605CD at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      WCVL605CD · cold climate16.510.59.546,000218160679
      WCVL485CD · cold climate16.510.59.546,000218160678
      W5HM60X21EA · cold climate15.210.08.842,000218214195
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,363-$3,388

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA?
      The Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA is rated at up to 16.5 SEER2 and 10.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.
      Is the Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 46,000 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 Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,363-$3,388 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,645 in Phoenix and $2,803 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 Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use WCVL605CD, WCVL485CD, W5HM60X21EA.
      What refrigerant does the Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA 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 $1,613/yrYou save $894/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 Grandaire W5H9V48AKAAA
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,613
      Current system, per year
      $2,508
      You save per year
      $894
      Payback
      20.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$9,057

      Cooling $1,024Heating $589Electricity used: 10,084 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $315

      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 319 4 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 30, 2026. How we use the data.