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      24,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · URAC

      Guardian URC24CN23STG1

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 24,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #140 of 430 24,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $628 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      22.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 56%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      EER2
      12.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 34%
      Heat at 5°F
      19,800 BTU/h83% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 9%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 19,800 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 mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications24,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandGuardian
      Also sold asColeman, Luxaire
      Outdoor unit modelURC24CN23STG1
      SeriesURAC
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size24,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJune 10, 2024
      Last certifiedFebruary 17, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.5 (range 22.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.3
      Cooling capacity24,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
      Capacity at 47°F24,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F22,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F19,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder83% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with UNI24HW23STG1 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.
      UNI24HW23STG1 GUARDIAN · cold climate22.512.39.519,800214803267
      UNI24HW23STG1 Coleman · cold climate22.512.39.519,800216572153
      UNI24HW23STG1 LUXAIRE · cold climate22.512.39.519,800216572165
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$504-$1,547

      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 URC24CN23STG1?
      The Guardian URC24CN23STG1 is rated at up to 22.5 SEER2 and 12.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Guardian URC24CN23STG1 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 19,800 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.80, so it is still 1.8 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Guardian URC24CN23STG1 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $504-$1,547 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $649 in Phoenix and $1,313 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 URC24CN23STG1?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use GUARDIAN UNI24HW23STG1, Coleman UNI24HW23STG1, LUXAIRE UNI24HW23STG1.
      What refrigerant does the Guardian URC24CN23STG1 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 $658/yrYou save $579/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 Guardian URC24CN23STG1
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $658
      Current system, per year
      $1,238
      You save per year
      $579
      Payback
      15.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,209

      Cooling $375Heating $283Electricity used: 4,115 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $291

      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 24,000 BTU models

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of February 17, 2025. How we use the data.