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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · REX SERIES

      KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R

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

      Ranks #144 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $468 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 62%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 43%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 44%
      Heat at 5°F
      13,600 BTU/h72% 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 13,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • 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

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandKANIONco
      Also sold asLive cool, ApooDr, AproDr, ROVSUN, Ameristar, RunTru, Comfort Temps
      Outdoor unit modelKWSM-18IR454BHS23R
      SeriesREX SERIES
      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 sinceOctober 23, 2024
      Last certifiedSeptember 25, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.0 (range 23.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.0
      Capacity at 47°F19,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F15,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F13,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder72% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with KWSM-18IR454BHS23R at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      KWSM-18IR454BHS23R · cold climate23.012.510.013,600215747790
      LWSM-18IR454BHS23R Live cool · cold climate23.012.510.013,600217617841
      Same unit, other model numbers5

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$370-$1,159

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

      Questions6
      What is the SEER2 rating of the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R?
      The KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 13,600 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 KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $370-$1,159 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $480 in Phoenix and $986 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R the same as the ApooDr ATPRO24-18H1B?
      Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists 6 model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
      Which indoor units work with the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use KWSM-18IR454BHS23R, Live cool LWSM-18IR454BHS23R.
      What refrigerant does the KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R 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 $488/yrYou save $456/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 KANIONco KWSM-18IR454BHS23R
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $488
      Current system, per year
      $944
      You save per year
      $456
      Payback
      15.3 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,438

      Cooling $275Heating $213Electricity used: 3,052 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $239

      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 September 25, 2025. How we use the data.