What is the SEER2 rating of the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC?

The Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-20.0.

Is the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 43,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $810-$2,574 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,055 in Phoenix and $2,194 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 Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC?

ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use RHMVZ6021SEACA, RCFZ6021SEAAM.

What refrigerant does the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC 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.

3-ton central heat pump · ULTRA SERIES

Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC

Excellent cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #35 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,037 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 94%
HSPF2: 8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 38%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 80%
Heat at 5°F: 43,500 BTU/h113% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 76%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 94% of central heat pumps.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 43,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
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…

You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-410A

General
Brand	Ruud
Outdoor unit model	UP18AZ36AJVC
Series	ULTRA SERIES
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	May 17, 2023
Last certified	June 3, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	20.0 (range 18.0-20.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.5
Cooling capacity	34,200 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.5
Capacity at 47°F	34,200-36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	37,400-41,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	40,500-43,500 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.10-2.20
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder113% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with RHMVZ6021SEACA 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 unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
RHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate	-	20.0	12.5	8.5	40,500	208553291
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U97MV0855A21DHS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	213163997
RCFZ6021SEAAM	U97VA085M521K	19.0	12.5	8.5	-	213163989
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	R962V0855A21M4S	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872712
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U98MV0855A21UPS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872717
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U97MV1005A21DHS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872714
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U98MV0603A17UPS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,500	209872715
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U98MV0703A17UPS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,500	209872716
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	R962V0705A21M4S	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872711
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	U98MV1005A21UPS	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,500	209872718
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	R962V0403A17M4S	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,500	209872709
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	R962V0703A17M4S	19.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872710
RCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	R962V1005A21M4S	18.0	12.5	8.5	43,000	209872713

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$810-$2,574

Phoenix, AZ$1,055/yr
Miami, FL$810/yr
Houston, TX$948/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,037/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,027/yr
New York, NY$2,574/yr
Chicago, IL$2,109/yr
Denver, CO$1,768/yr
Seattle, WA$1,098/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,194/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC?: The Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-20.0.
Is the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 43,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $810-$2,574 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,055 in Phoenix and $2,194 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 Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC?: ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use RHMVZ6021SEACA, RCFZ6021SEAAM.
What refrigerant does the Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC 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 $1,076/yrYou save $717/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Ruud UP18AZ36AJVC

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,076
Current system, per year: $1,793
You save per year: $717
Payback: 18.1 years
Net after 10 years: -$5,834

Cooling $602Heating $474Electricity used: 6,727 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $303

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 3 ton models

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Friedrich FRP18AZ36AJVC · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Carrier 27VNA036A*030 · cold climate19.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Armstrong Air 4SHP22LX136P-**A20.0 SEER2 · 9.0 HSPF2
Day & Night C5H0V36*K*AAA · cold climate19.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Innovair GOV36H2BA · cold climate20.0 SEER2 · 9.4 HSPF2
Heil B5H0V36*K*AAA · cold climate19.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2

See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 3, 2026. How we use the data.