What is the SEER2 rating of the KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20?

The KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 11.7 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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 17,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $445-$1,249 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $556 in Phoenix and $1,050 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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20?

ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use 2PAMSDH18, PERFECTAIRE 2PAMSDH18.

What refrigerant does the KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 use?

It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and R-32.

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · KARDA

KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20

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

Ranks #451 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $517 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 18.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 4%
HSPF2: 9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 24%
EER2: 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Below average · beats 16%
Heat at 5°F: 17,700 BTU/h93% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 20%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 17,700 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.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	KARDA
Also sold as	PerfectAire
Outdoor unit model	2KARDA18SZO20
Series	KARDA
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	June 3, 2020
Last certified	April 27, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	18.0 (range 18.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7
Cooling capacity	17,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5
Capacity at 47°F	19,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	15,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	17,700 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.85
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder93% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 2PAMSDH18 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
2PAMSDH18 · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206348122
2PAMSDH18 PERFECTAIRE · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206348126

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$445-$1,249

Phoenix, AZ$556/yr
Miami, FL$445/yr
Houston, TX$499/yr
Atlanta, GA$517/yr
Los Angeles, CA$505/yr
New York, NY$1,249/yr
Chicago, IL$1,016/yr
Denver, CO$847/yr
Seattle, WA$522/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,050/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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20?: The KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 11.7 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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 17,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $445-$1,249 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $556 in Phoenix and $1,050 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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20?: ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use 2PAMSDH18, PERFECTAIRE 2PAMSDH18.
What refrigerant does the KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20 use?: It uses R-410A. R-410A is being phased down under the EPA AIM Act, and new systems are moving to R-454B and 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 $556/yrYou save $353/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 KARDA 2KARDA18SZO20

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: $556
Current system, per year: $909
You save per year: $353
Payback: 18.4 years
Net after 10 years: -$2,972

Cooling $332Heating $224Electricity used: 3,478 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $146

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 18,000 BTU models

KANIONco KD-18IR410AHSODU · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Daikin RXP18AVJU · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 9.2 HSPF2
Hotpoint 1H18HN2DA · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
LG KUSUB181A · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 9.0 HSPF2
Haier 2U20EH2HD · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
LG KUSAE181A18.0 SEER2 · 8.9 HSPF2
GE Appliances ASH220NCDD · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric RUZ-AH18NL · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 8.9 HSPF2

See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 27, 2026. How we use the data.