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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CS-E18RKUAW / CU-E18RKUA

      Panasonic CU-E18RKUA

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #426 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $571 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 12%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 10%
      EER2
      13.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 69%
      Heat at 5°F
      - Not reported by the maker

      A good fit if…

      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • 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

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandPanasonic
      Outdoor unit modelCU-E18RKUA
      SeriesCS-E18RKUAW / CU-E18RKUA
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceFebruary 1, 2014
      Last certifiedOctober 5, 2023
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.5 (range 19.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.2
      Cooling capacity17,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F21,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F- BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F-
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater-
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      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.
      CU-E18RKUA19.513.29.0-7958200
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$419-$1,438

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Panasonic CU-E18RKUA?
      The Panasonic CU-E18RKUA is rated at up to 19.5 SEER2 and 13.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Panasonic CU-E18RKUA 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 18,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Panasonic CU-E18RKUA cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $419-$1,438 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $561 in Phoenix and $1,235 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 Panasonic CU-E18RKUA?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CU-E18RKUA.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-E18RKUA 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 $579/yrYou save $380/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 CU-E18RKUA
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $579
      Current system, per year
      $959
      You save per year
      $380
      Payback
      17.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,704

      Cooling $310Heating $269Electricity used: 3,621 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $167

      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 18,000 BTU models

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

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of October 5, 2023. How we use the data.