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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · SmartSense

      Hisense AO-18U3R26SS

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #408 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $490 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 18%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      EER2
      11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 9%
      Heat at 5°F
      13,400 BTU/h74% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 93%

      A good fit if…

      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandHisense
      Outdoor unit modelAO-18U3R26SS
      SeriesSmartSense
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMarch 19, 2026
      Last certifiedMarch 26, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.0 (range 20.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.0
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
      Capacity at 47°F18,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F14,800 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F13,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.40
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder74% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with AS-18U3RHC26SS at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups1 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.
      AS-18U3RHC26SS HISENSE20.011.09.513,400218083340
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$424-$1,184

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Hisense AO-18U3R26SS?
      The Hisense AO-18U3R26SS is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 11.0 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 Hisense AO-18U3R26SS good for cold climates?
      It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 18,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Hisense AO-18U3R26SS cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $424-$1,184 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $529 in Phoenix and $995 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 Hisense AO-18U3R26SS?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses HISENSE AS-18U3RHC26SS.
      What refrigerant does the Hisense AO-18U3R26SS use?
      It uses 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 $529/yrYou save $399/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 Hisense AO-18U3R26SS
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $529
      Current system, per year
      $928
      You save per year
      $399
      Payback
      17.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,009

      Cooling $317Heating $212Electricity used: 3,306 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $183

      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 March 26, 2026. How we use the data.