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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Lennox Real

      Lennox VPC018H5M-3P

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

      Ranks #459 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $535 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 3%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 43%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 25%
      Heat at 5°F
      18,000 BTU/h90% 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 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.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandLennox
      Outdoor unit modelVPC018H5M-3P
      SeriesLennox Real
      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 20, 2024
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.5 (range 17.0-17.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-12.0
      Cooling capacity18,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0-10.0
      Capacity at 47°F20,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F17,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F18,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.85
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder90% kept at 5°F

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

      Certified matchups6 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.
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.512.010.018,000216369725
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.512.010.018,000217197060
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.311.99.518,000216369731
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.311.99.518,000217197066
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.011.79.018,000216369719
      - LENNOX · cold climate17.011.79.018,000217197054
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$488-$1,272

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

      Questions4
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Lennox VPC018H5M-3P?
      The Lennox VPC018H5M-3P is rated at up to 17.5 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.0-17.5.
      Is the Lennox VPC018H5M-3P 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 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Lennox VPC018H5M-3P cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $488-$1,272 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $597 in Phoenix and $1,059 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      What refrigerant does the Lennox VPC018H5M-3P 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 $590/yrYou save $378/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 VPC018H5M-3P
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $590
      Current system, per year
      $968
      You save per year
      $378
      Payback
      18.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,222

      Cooling $366Heating $224Electricity used: 3,688 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $157

      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 April 17, 2026. How we use the data.