HVAC Rated

4-ton central heat pump · Merit ML16KP2 SERIES

Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A

Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 4-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #178 of 319 4 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,378 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
17.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 49%
HSPF2
8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 38%
EER2
12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 64%
Heat at 5°F
24,400 BTU/h51% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 83%

A good fit if…

  • You want a choice of indoor units - 159 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

Specifications4 ton, R-454B
General
BrandLennox
Outdoor unit modelML16KP2-048-230A
SeriesMerit ML16KP2 SERIES
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size4 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerTwo-stage
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceMay 13, 2026
Last certifiedSeptember 16, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.0 (range 15.5-17.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.2-12.5
Cooling capacity44,500-48,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.5
Capacity at 47°F42,000-47,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F26,400-30,400 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F21,000-24,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.86-2.26
ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
Heating output as it gets colder51% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CBK48MVT-048-230- at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups159 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 159 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
CBK48MVT-048-230--17.012.08.123,000218457676
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDRSL280UH135V60D*16.512.08.522,800218457789
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH110XV60C*16.512.08.522,800218457785
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH110XE60C*16.511.78.523,000218457783
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH110XV60C*16.512.08.523,000218457773
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH110V60C*16.512.08.523,000218457772
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH100NV60C*16.512.08.523,000218457771
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH090XV60C*16.512.08.522,600218457770
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH090V60C*16.512.08.522,600218457769
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML296UH110XV60C*16.511.78.523,000218457767
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML196UH090XE60C*16.511.78.523,000218457764
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML193UH110XE60C*16.512.08.522,800218457762
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML180UH110XE60C*16.512.08.522,800218457759
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML180UH110V60C*16.512.08.522,600218457758
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML180UH110E60C*16.512.08.522,800218457757
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL280UH110XE60C*16.512.08.522,600218457755
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL280UH110E60C*16.512.08.522,600218457754
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL280UH110E48C*16.512.08.522,600218457753
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL196UH110XE60C*16.511.58.523,600218457752
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL180UH100NE60C*16.511.28.524,000218457749
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML297UH110XV60C*16.511.78.522,800218690714
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRSL280UH090V60C*16.511.78.223,800218457821
CK40HT-60D-**+TDREL297UH135XV60D*16.511.78.223,600218457820
CK40HT-60D-**+TDREL297UH110XV60C*16.511.58.224,000218457818
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRML180UH110XE60C*16.511.78.223,600218457810
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRSLP99UH135XV60D*16.511.58.224,000218457805
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRSL280UH135V60D*16.511.78.223,400218457804
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRML180UH110E60C*16.511.78.223,600218457800
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH110XV48C*16.512.08.222,800218457784
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH090XV60C*16.511.78.223,000218457782
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH090XV48C*16.511.78.223,000218457781
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL297UH090XV36C*16.512.08.222,600218457780
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSLP99UH110XV60C*16.512.08.222,800218457778
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSLP99UH090XV60C*16.512.08.222,800218457777
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSLP99UH090XV48C*16.511.78.223,000218457776
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRSL280UH080NV60C*16.512.08.222,800218457768
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML196UH090XE48C*16.512.08.222,800218457763
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML193UH110XE48C*16.512.08.222,600218457761
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDREL196UH090XE48C*16.512.08.222,800218457751
CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDRML297UH090XV60C*16.512.08.222,800218695142
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRML297UH135XV60D*16.512.08.223,000218695121
CK40DT-50/60C-**+TDRML180DF110E60C*16.512.07.822,200218457736
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRSL280UH110XV60C*16.512.07.821,400218457706
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRSL280UH110V60C*16.512.07.821,400218457705
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRSL280UH090XV60C*16.512.07.821,200218457703
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRSL280UH090V60C*16.512.07.821,200218457702
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRML180UH110XE60C*16.512.07.821,400218457695
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDRML180UH110E60C*16.512.07.821,400218457693
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDREL280UH110XE60C*16.512.07.821,600218457691
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDREL280UH110E60C*16.512.07.821,600218457690
CK40[C,U]T-49C-**+TDREL280UH110E48C*16.512.07.821,200218457689
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDREL297UH135XV60D*16.012.08.522,600218457797
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDRML196UH110XE60C*16.012.08.522,600218457794
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDRSLP99UH135XV60D*16.012.08.522,400218457792
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDRML180UH135E60D*16.011.78.523,000218457787
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDREL180UH100NE60C*16.011.78.523,000218457786
CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDRML297UH135XV60D*16.012.58.522,200218695120
CK40HT-60D-**+TDREL297UH135XE60D*16.011.58.224,000218457819
CK40HT-60D-**+TDRSLP99UH090XV60C*16.011.78.223,600218457817
CK40HT-60D-**+TDREL196UH110XE60C*16.011.78.223,200218457809
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,270-$3,265

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A?
The Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A is rated at up to 17.0 SEER2 and 12.0 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 159 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.5-17.0.
Is the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A 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 4-ton model.
How much does the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,270-$3,265 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,547 in Phoenix and $2,714 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 Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A?
ENERGY STAR lists 159 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CBK48MVT-048-230-, CK40[C,U]T-60D-**+TDR, CK40HT-51/61C-**+TDR.
What refrigerant does the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A 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 $1,526/yrYou save $805/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 Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,526
Current system, per year
$2,331
You save per year
$805
Payback
21.7 years
Net after 10 years
-$9,447

Cooling $952Heating $573Electricity used: 9,535 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $256

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 4 ton models

See all 319 4 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of September 16, 2026. How we use the data.