HVAC Rated

Under 1.5-ton central heat pump · CS-E9SD3UAW / CU-E9SD3UA

Panasonic CU-E9SD3UA

Excellent cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a under 1.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #5 of 9 Under 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $287 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
20.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 96%
HSPF2
9.9 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 80%
EER2
13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 89%
Heat at 5°F
- Not reported by the maker

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 96% of central heat pumps.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 80% of central heat pumps.
  • 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.
  • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

SpecificationsUnder 1.5 ton, R-410A
General
BrandPanasonic
Outdoor unit modelCU-E9SD3UA
SeriesCS-E9SD3UAW / CU-E9SD3UA
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal sizeUnder 1.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-410A
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceJune 26, 2016
Last certifiedOctober 5, 2023
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.5 (range 20.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.0
Cooling capacity9,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.9
Capacity at 47°F12,000 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-E9SD3UA20.513.09.9-9125308
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$209-$725

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-E9SD3UA?
The Panasonic CU-E9SD3UA is rated at up to 20.5 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.9 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Panasonic CU-E9SD3UA 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 under 1.5-ton model.
How much does the Panasonic CU-E9SD3UA cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $209-$725 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $281 in Phoenix and $623 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-E9SD3UA?
ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CU-E9SD3UA.
What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-E9SD3UA 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 $290/yrYou save $223/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-E9SD3UA
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$290
Current system, per year
$513
You save per year
$223
Payback
15.7 years
Net after 10 years
-$1,271

Cooling $155Heating $136Electricity used: 1,814 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $110

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 Under 1.5 ton models

See all 9 Under 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

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