HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · Mainline 18 SEER2 HP

Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA

Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #196 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,176 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
16.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 40%
HSPF2
8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 38%
EER2
12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 80%
Heat at 5°F
19,600 BTU/h50% of its 47°F output
Excellent · beats 95%

A good fit if…

  • You want a choice of indoor units - 186 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

  • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
  • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B
General
BrandKenmore
Outdoor unit model(C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA
SeriesMainline 18 SEER2 HP
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerTwo-stage
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 1, 2024
Last certifiedJune 29, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.5 (range 15.2-16.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-13.0
Cooling capacity33,800-37,600 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.5
Capacity at 47°F37,200-39,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F23,000-24,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F17,500-19,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.84-2.40
ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
Heating output as it gets colder50% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FTMA5B48L0C at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups186 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 186 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
FTMA5B48L0C-16.512.58.118,700216360597
EA*5X43M21A*80MSU0802120A*16.012.08.519,100216358221
EA*5X43M21A*+WALLCON*80CSU0802120B*16.012.08.519,200216358541
EA*5X37M21A*80MSU0601716A*16.012.08.119,300216357261
EA*5X43M21A*80MSU0601716A*16.012.08.119,300216358213
EA*5X43M21A*+WALLCON*80CSU0802120A*16.012.08.019,300216358157
FCMA5B48L0C*+WALLCON-16.013.08.018,900216360613
EA*5X37M21A*+WALLCON*80CSU0802120B*16.012.08.019,300216357581
EVM5X48M21A*80MSU0802120A*16.012.57.817,500216354477
EVM5X49M21A*80MSU0802120A*16.012.57.817,700216354741
EVD5X38M17A*80VSL0901716B*16.012.57.817,600216355613
EVD5X38M17A*80MSU0401712A*16.012.57.817,600216355621
EVD5X38M17A*80MSU0601716A*16.012.57.817,600216355629
EA*5X48M21A*80VSL0902120B*15.511.78.119,200216358677
EA*5X48M21A*80VSL1102122B*15.512.08.119,100216358685
EA*5X48M21A*80MSU0401712A*15.511.78.119,200216358693
EA*5X48M21A*80MSU0601716A*15.512.08.119,000216358701
EA*5X48M21A*80MSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,000216358709
EA*5X37M21A*+WALLCON*80CSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,300216357205
EA*5X37M21A*80VSL0901716B*15.511.78.119,300216357229
EA*5X37M21A*80VSL0902120B*15.512.08.119,300216357237
EA*5X37M21A*80VSL1102122B*15.512.08.119,400216357245
EA*5X37M21A*80MSU0401712A*15.512.08.119,300216357253
EA*5X37M21A*80MSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,100216357269
EA*5X37M21A*80MSU1002120A*15.512.08.119,400216357277
EA*5X37M21A*80VTL0902120B*15.512.08.119,300216357341
EA*5X37M21A*80VTL1102122B*15.511.78.119,500216357349
EA*5X48M21A*80MSU1002120A*15.511.78.119,300216358717
EA*5X42M21A*96VTN1002122B*15.511.78.118,800216358029
EA*5X48M21A*96VSN1002120B*15.511.78.119,300216358885
EA*5X48M21A*95MSU1002122A*15.512.08.119,000216358925
EA*5X48M21A*80VTL0902120B*15.511.78.119,200216358781
ESH5X42M12A*80MSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,000216359661
EA*5X48M21A*80VTL1102122B*15.512.08.119,100216358789
EA*5X37M21A*96VSN0802120B*15.511.78.119,300216357437
EA*5X37M21A*96VSN1002120B*15.511.78.119,400216357445
EA*5X37M21A*95MSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,300216357461
EA*5X37M21A*95MSU1002120A*15.511.78.119,400216357469
EA*5X37M21A*95MSU1002122A*15.512.08.119,400216357477
EA*5X43M21A*80VSL0701716B*15.511.78.119,400216358173
EA*5X43M21A*80VSL0901716B*15.512.08.119,300216358181
EA*5X43M21A*80VSL0902120B*15.512.08.119,300216358189
EA*5X48M21A*95MSU1002120A*15.511.78.119,100216358917
EA*5X43M21A*80VSL1102122B*15.512.08.119,200216358197
EA*5X43M21A*80MSU0401712A*15.512.08.119,300216358205
EA*5X43M21A*80MSU1002120A*15.512.08.119,400216358229
EA*5X48M21A*96VTN1002120B*15.511.78.119,100216358989
EA*5X43M21A*95MSU1002122A*15.512.08.119,100216358429
EA*5X48M21A*96VTN1002122B*15.512.08.119,100216358997
EA*5X43M21A*96VTN1002122B*15.512.08.119,200216358501
EA*5X43M21A*96VSN0802120B*15.511.78.119,300216358389
EA*5X43M21A*96VSN1002120B*15.512.08.119,400216358397
EA*5X43M21A*95MSU0802120A*15.512.08.119,300216358413
EA*5X37M17A*80VSL0901716B*15.512.08.118,900216356941
EA*5X37M17A*80MSU0401712A*15.512.08.118,800216356949
EA*5X37M17A*80MSU0601716A*15.512.08.118,800216356957
EA*5X42M21A*80MSU0802120A*15.512.08.118,800216357749
EA*5X43M21A*95MSU1002120A*15.511.78.119,400216358421
EA*5X43M21A*96VTN0802120B*15.511.78.119,300216358485
EA*5X43M21A*96VTN1002120B*15.512.08.119,200216358493
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,021-$2,835

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA?
The Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA is rated at up to 16.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 186 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.
Is the Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA 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 3-ton model.
How much does the Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,021-$2,835 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,273 in Phoenix and $2,380 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 Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA?
ENERGY STAR lists 186 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FTMA5B48L0C, EA*5X43M21A, EA*5X43M21A*+WALLCON.
What refrigerant does the Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA 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 $1,271/yrYou save $619/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 Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,271
Current system, per year
$1,890
You save per year
$619
Payback
21.8 years
Net after 10 years
-$7,309

Cooling $764Heating $507Electricity used: 7,944 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $185

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 June 29, 2026. How we use the data.