HVAC Rated

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Hi-ULTRA

Hisense AO-18U3T25U

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #358 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $482 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
21.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 30%
HSPF2
9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 24%
EER2
12.1 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 31%
Heat at 5°F
18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 27%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

  • 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-454B
General
BrandHisense
Outdoor unit modelAO-18U3T25U
SeriesHi-ULTRA
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 21, 2024
Last certifiedJuly 6, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.0 (range 21.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.1
Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
Capacity at 47°F18,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F18,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
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 ASU-18U3THB25U 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.
ASU-18U3THB25U HISENSE · cold climate21.012.19.518,000216370236
ASU-18U3THB25U-B HISENSE · cold climate21.012.19.518,000217080953
ASU-18U3THB25U-S HISENSE · cold climate21.012.19.518,000218621914
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$404-$1,174

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-18U3T25U?
The Hisense AO-18U3T25U is rated at up to 21.0 SEER2 and 12.1 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-18U3T25U good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 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 Hisense AO-18U3T25U cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $404-$1,174 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $511 in Phoenix and $991 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-18U3T25U?
ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use HISENSE ASU-18U3THB25U, HISENSE ASU-18U3THB25U-B, HISENSE ASU-18U3THB25U-S.
What refrigerant does the Hisense AO-18U3T25U 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 $514/yrYou save $414/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-18U3T25U
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$514
Current system, per year
$928
You save per year
$414
Payback
16.9 years
Net after 10 years
-$2,858

Cooling $302Heating $212Electricity used: 3,212 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $198

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 6, 2026. How we use the data.