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      9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MH-series

      Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 9,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #279 of 395 9,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $258 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 42%
      HSPF2
      9.4 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 19%
      EER2
      12.6 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 52%
      Heat at 5°F
      7,000 BTU/h70% 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 7,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • 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

      Specifications9,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandMidea
      Also sold asWeatherMaker, Payne, Bryant, Carrier
      Outdoor unit model38MHRCQ09AA3
      Series38MH-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size9,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.7 (range 21.7)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.6
      Cooling capacity9,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.4
      Capacity at 47°F10,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F6,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F7,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder70% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MHHAQ09XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 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.
      40MHHAQ09XA3 MIDEA · cold climate21.712.69.47,000208447853
      40MHHAQ09XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate21.712.69.47,000208447851
      40MHHAQ09XA3 PAYNE · cold climate21.712.69.47,000208447849
      40MHHAQ09XA3 BRYANT · cold climate21.712.69.47,000208447847
      40MHHAQ09XA3 CARRIER · cold climate21.712.69.47,000208447845
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$197-$643

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3?
      The Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3 is rated at up to 21.7 SEER2 and 12.6 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 7,000 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 Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $197-$643 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $259 in Phoenix and $550 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 Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MIDEA 40MHHAQ09XA3, Weathermaker 40MHHAQ09XA3, PAYNE 40MHHAQ09XA3.
      What refrigerant does the Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3 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 $265/yrYou save $215/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 Midea 38MHRCQ09AA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $265
      Current system, per year
      $480
      You save per year
      $215
      Payback
      16.3 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,347

      Cooling $146Heating $119Electricity used: 1,657 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $106

      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.