What is the SEER2 rating of the Lennox VPC036H5M-3P?

The Lennox VPC036H5M-3P is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 13.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.8-20.0.

Is the Lennox VPC036H5M-3P good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 34,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Lennox VPC036H5M-3P cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $849-$2,456 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,072 in Phoenix and $2,071 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Lennox Real

Lennox VPC036H5M-3P

Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #146 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,009 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 18%
HSPF2: 10.1 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 51%
EER2: 13.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 70%
Heat at 5°F: 34,000 BTU/h85% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 48%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 34,000 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

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B

General
Brand	Lennox
Outdoor unit model	VPC036H5M-3P
Series	Lennox Real
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	November 20, 2024
Last certified	April 17, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 17.8-20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.0-13.3
Cooling capacity	36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.6-10.1
Capacity at 47°F	40,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	27,800-30,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	34,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder85% 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
- LENNOX · cold climate	20.0	13.3	10.1	34,000	216369728
- LENNOX · cold climate	20.0	13.3	10.1	34,000	217197063
- LENNOX · cold climate	18.9	12.7	9.9	34,000	216369734
- LENNOX · cold climate	18.9	12.7	9.9	34,000	217197069
- LENNOX · cold climate	17.8	12.0	9.6	34,000	216369722
- LENNOX · cold climate	17.8	12.0	9.6	34,000	217197057

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$849-$2,456

Phoenix, AZ$1,072/yr
Miami, FL$849/yr
Houston, TX$962/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,009/yr
Los Angeles, CA$990/yr
New York, NY$2,456/yr
Chicago, IL$2,002/yr
Denver, CO$1,671/yr
Seattle, WA$1,032/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,071/yr

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 VPC036H5M-3P?: The Lennox VPC036H5M-3P is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 13.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.8-20.0.
Is the Lennox VPC036H5M-3P good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 34,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Lennox VPC036H5M-3P cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $849-$2,456 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,072 in Phoenix and $2,071 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 VPC036H5M-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 $1,077/yrYou save $845/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 Lennox VPC036H5M-3P

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: $1,077
Current system, per year: $1,922
You save per year: $845
Payback: 16.0 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,055

Cooling $634Heating $444Electricity used: 6,732 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $406

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 36,000 BTU models

Carrier 37VMB036HDS3-1 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.1 HSPF2
Airquest DLCMHBH36DAK · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Midea MDV-V36WMN10T-H · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.2 HSPF2
Blueridge BMM36HHC · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Mainline ML36HP230LCM-O · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.3 HSPF2
ComfortStar C32-MZ-5 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Bosch BMS500-AAS036-1CSXLD · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.3 HSPF2
Guardian UPC36CN23STG1 · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2

See all 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 17, 2026. How we use the data.