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      2.5-ton central heat pump · CU Series

      Panasonic CU-M30BAHU

      Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #82 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $923 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 53%
      HSPF2
      8.3 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 30%
      EER2
      11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 23%
      Heat at 5°F
      18,000 BTU/h62% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 5%

      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.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandPanasonic
      Outdoor unit modelCU-M30BAHU
      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 sinceOctober 21, 2025
      Last certifiedNovember 24, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.1 (range 17.1)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.0
      Cooling capacity30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.3
      Capacity at 47°F29,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F17,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F18,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder62% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CS-HM36BAAU3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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-HM36BAAU3S9V2C100D5VS***17.111.08.318,000217900434
      CS-HM36BAAU3S9V2C100U5VS***17.111.08.318,000217900435
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$824-$2,207

      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-M30BAHU?
      The Panasonic CU-M30BAHU is rated at up to 17.1 SEER2 and 11.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Panasonic CU-M30BAHU 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 2.5-ton model.
      How much does the Panasonic CU-M30BAHU cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $824-$2,207 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,017 in Phoenix and $1,844 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-M30BAHU?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CS-HM36BAAU3.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-M30BAHU 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 $1,009/yrYou save $522/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-M30BAHU
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,009
      Current system, per year
      $1,531
      You save per year
      $522
      Payback
      22.0 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,284

      Cooling $618Heating $391Electricity used: 6,305 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $163

      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 November 24, 2025. How we use the data.