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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · SAK Series

      Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V

      Below average cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #367 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $421 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.7 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 25%
      HSPF2
      11.4 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 82%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 44%
      Heat at 5°F
      12,800 BTU/h71% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 78%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 12,800 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 82% 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

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-454B
      General
      BrandStar Air Kontrol
      Outdoor unit modelSAK-18-CT2/220V
      SeriesSAK Series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceOctober 28, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.7 (range 20.7)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
      Cooling capacity16,800 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.4
      Capacity at 47°F18,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F13,900 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F12,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder71% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with SAK-18-CT1/220V at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      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.
      SAK-18-CT1/220V · cold climate20.712.511.412,800216369224
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$381-$1,002

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V?
      The Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V is rated at up to 20.7 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 12,800 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 Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $381-$1,002 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $467 in Phoenix and $835 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 Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses SAK-18-CT1/220V.
      What refrigerant does the Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V 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 $463/yrYou save $423/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 Star Air Kontrol SAK-18-CT2/220V
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $463
      Current system, per year
      $886
      You save per year
      $423
      Payback
      15.4 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,266

      Cooling $286Heating $177Electricity used: 2,891 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $220

      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.