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      2.5-ton central heat pump · CU Series

      Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU

      Average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #98 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $819 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      16.8 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 45%
      HSPF2
      10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 84%
      EER2
      11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 43%
      Heat at 5°F
      32,600 BTU/h96% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 29%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 32,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 84% of central heat pumps.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 13 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

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

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandPanasonic
      Also sold asMRCOOL
      Outdoor unit modelCU-HM30BAHU
      SeriesCU Series
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size2.5 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceNovember 30, 2024
      Last certifiedOctober 27, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.8 (range 15.3-16.8)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-11.7
      Cooling capacity29,000-30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.4-10.0
      Capacity at 47°F29,000-34,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F22,000-25,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F29,000-32,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.75-1.96
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder96% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CS-HM30BAHU at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups13 indoor units

      The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

      Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      CS-HM30BAHU · cold climate-16.811.710.032,600216505881
      CS-HM36BAAU3 · cold climateS9V2C100D5VS***16.811.08.729,000217900451
      CS-HM36BAAU3 · cold climateS9V2C100U5VS***16.811.08.729,000217900452
      CS-HM36BAAU3 · cold climateS9V2C080U5VS***16.711.08.629,000217900450
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climate-16.011.09.632,000216621499
      CS-HM36BAAU3 · cold climate-16.011.09.632,000216621500
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B040D3VS***15.610.38.629,000217900444
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B080D4VS***15.610.48.429,000217900448
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B040U3VS***15.510.38.929,000217900445
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B060D3VS***15.510.48.829,000217900446
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B060U4VS***15.510.48.829,000217900447
      CS-HM36BAAU2 · cold climateS9V2B080U4VS***15.510.48.829,000217900449
      CS-HM36BAAU1 · cold climate-15.310.09.330,400216621498
      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      • MRCOOL CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$768-$1,897

      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 CU-HM30BAHU?
      The Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU is rated at up to 16.8 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.3-16.8.
      Is the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 32,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.96, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $768-$1,897 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $959 in Phoenix and $1,557 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU the same as the MRCOOL CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O?
      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 CU-HM30BAHU?
      ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CS-HM30BAHU, CS-HM36BAAU3, CS-HM36BAAU2.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU 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 $932/yrYou save $563/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-HM30BAHU
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $932
      Current system, per year
      $1,495
      You save per year
      $563
      Payback
      19.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$5,371

      Cooling $608Heating $325Electricity used: 5,828 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $214

      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 2.5 ton models

      See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of October 27, 2025. How we use the data.