What is the SEER2 rating of the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1?

The Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 is rated at up to 20.0 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 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-20.0.

Is the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 36,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $846-$2,272 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,044 in Phoenix and $1,899 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 Guardian UPC36CN23STG1?

ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Coleman UNI36HW23STG1, LUXAIRE UNI36HW23STG1, GUARDIAN UNI36HW23STG1.

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · UPAC

Guardian UPC36CN23STG1

Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #150 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $949 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 18%
HSPF2: 10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 43%
EER2: 12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 25%
Heat at 5°F: 36,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 48%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 36,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 12 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B

General
Brand	Guardian
Also sold as	Coleman, Luxaire
Outdoor unit model	UPC36CN23STG1
Series	UPAC
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	September 4, 2024
Last certified	June 4, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 18.0-20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.0
Cooling capacity	33,000-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.0-10.0
Capacity at 47°F	36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	23,200-26,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	36,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with UNI36HW23STG1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups12 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
UNI36HW23STG1 Coleman · cold climate	20.0	12.0	10.0	36,000	216572459
UNI36HW23STG1 LUXAIRE · cold climate	20.0	12.0	10.0	36,000	216572461
UNI36HW23STG1 GUARDIAN · cold climate	20.0	12.0	10.0	36,000	216346013
UNI36CS23STG1 GUARDIAN · cold climate	19.5	12.0	9.5	36,000	215449562
UNI36CS23STG1 Coleman · cold climate	19.5	12.0	9.5	36,000	216558428
UNI36CS23STG1 LUXAIRE · cold climate	19.5	12.0	9.5	36,000	216558432
UNI36DT23STG1 GUARDIAN · cold climate	18.5	11.7	9.0	36,000	215441404
UNI36DT23STG1 Coleman · cold climate	18.5	11.7	9.0	36,000	216558426
UNI36DT23STG1 LUXAIRE · cold climate	18.5	11.7	9.0	36,000	216558430
JHE36B5CD2SS1 · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.0	36,000	217050613
JHE36B5CD2SS1 · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.0	36,000	217050616
JHE36B5CD2SS1 · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.0	36,000	217050619

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$846-$2,272

Phoenix, AZ$1,044/yr
Miami, FL$846/yr
Houston, TX$936/yr
Atlanta, GA$949/yr
Los Angeles, CA$924/yr
New York, NY$2,272/yr
Chicago, IL$1,845/yr
Denver, CO$1,534/yr
Seattle, WA$943/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,899/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1?: The Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 is rated at up to 20.0 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 12 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-20.0.
Is the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 36,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $846-$2,272 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,044 in Phoenix and $1,899 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 Guardian UPC36CN23STG1?: ENERGY STAR lists 12 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Coleman UNI36HW23STG1, LUXAIRE UNI36HW23STG1, GUARDIAN UNI36HW23STG1.
What refrigerant does the Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 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 $1,037/yrYou save $819/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Guardian UPC36CN23STG1

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,037
Current system, per year: $1,856
You save per year: $819
Payback: 16.5 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,306

Cooling $634Heating $403Electricity used: 6,480 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $387

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.

Similar 36,000 BTU models

ComfortStar C32-MZ-5 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Hisense AOU-36U3T25U · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Blueridge BMM36HHC · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Hisense AUW-36U3TW1(JCH) · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Airquest DLCMHBH36DAK · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-HA36NKA · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Lennox VPC036H5M-3P · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.1 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-HA36NKA1 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2

See all 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 4, 2026. How we use the data.