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      36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · CSZ Sseies

      Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO

      Below average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #106 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $921 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 35%
      HSPF2
      10.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 71%
      EER2
      12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 25%
      Heat at 5°F
      39,500 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 59%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 39,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 71% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandSea Breeze
      Outdoor unit modelCSZ36H525ZMO
      SeriesCSZ Sseies
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size36,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceFebruary 28, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.2 (range 20.0-21.2)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0
      Cooling capacity36,400-36,600 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.6-10.8
      Capacity at 47°F37,000-38,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F30,200-30,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F37,000-39,500 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.95-2.02
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CA36H525ZMI at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      CA36H525ZMI SEA BREEZE+ · cold climate21.212.010.637,000216014139
      FC36H525ZMI SEA BREEZE+ · cold climate20.012.010.839,500216014140
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$812-$2,212

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO?
      The Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO is rated at up to 21.2 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 2 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.0-21.2.
      Is the Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.02, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $812-$2,212 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,007 in Phoenix and $1,853 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 Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use SEA BREEZE+ CA36H525ZMI, SEA BREEZE+ FC36H525ZMI.
      What refrigerant does the Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO 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 $1,002/yrYou save $908/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 Sea Breeze CSZ36H525ZMO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,002
      Current system, per year
      $1,910
      You save per year
      $908
      Payback
      14.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,417

      Cooling $608Heating $394Electricity used: 6,261 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $467

      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.

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 4, 2025. How we use the data.