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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Deluxe Z

      Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC

      Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #191 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $442 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      22.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 48%
      HSPF2
      11.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 87%
      EER2
      13.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 77%
      Heat at 5°F
      17,800 BTU/h87% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 82%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 17,800 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 87% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandPanasonic
      Outdoor unit modelCS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC
      SeriesDeluxe Z
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMay 28, 2024
      Last certifiedMay 23, 2024
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.0 (range 22.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.7
      Cooling capacity17,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.7
      Capacity at 47°F20,400 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F- BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F17,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.22
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder87% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CS-Z18AKUAW at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups1 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.
      CS-Z18AKUAW · cold climate22.013.711.717,800214837755
      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$369-$1,079

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

      Questions6
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC?
      The Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC is rated at up to 22.0 SEER2 and 13.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 17,800 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.22, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $369-$1,079 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $467 in Phoenix and $911 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC the same as the Panasonic CS-XZ18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC?
      Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
      Which indoor units work with the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CS-Z18AKUAW.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC use?
      It uses 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 $470/yrYou save $469/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 Panasonic CS-Z18AKUAW/CU-XZ18AKUAC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $470
      Current system, per year
      $939
      You save per year
      $469
      Payback
      13.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,812

      Cooling $275Heating $195Electricity used: 2,941 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $258

      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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      See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 23, 2024. How we use the data.