HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · VANTIX

Sure SP18AZ36AJVC

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

Ranks #63 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,055 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 85%
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/h119% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 76%

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 85% 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 - 24 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
BrandSure
Also sold asRUSSELL
Outdoor unit modelSP18AZ36AJVC
SeriesVANTIX
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-410A
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceApril 13, 2023
Last certifiedJune 3, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.0 (range 18.0-19.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5
Cooling capacity34,200 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.5
Capacity at 47°F36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F40,500-41,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F43,000-43,500 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.20
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder119% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with TCFZ6021SEAAM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups24 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.
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS97MV0855A21DHS19.012.58.543,000213163998
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS97MV0855A21DHS19.012.58.543,000213163999
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0855A21M4S19.012.58.543,000210106754
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS97MV1005A21DHS19.012.58.543,000210106760
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV1005A21UPS19.012.58.543,500210106959
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0705A21M4S19.012.58.543,000210106937
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0855A21M4S19.012.58.543,000210106940
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0403A17M4S19.012.58.543,500210106931
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0855A21UPS19.012.58.543,000210106956
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0705A21M4S19.012.58.543,000210106751
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0403A17M4S19.012.58.543,500210106746
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0603A17UPS19.012.58.543,500210106949
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS97MV1005A21DHS19.012.58.543,000210106946
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0703A17UPS19.012.58.543,500210106952
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV1005A21UPS19.012.58.543,500210106772
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0855A21UPS19.012.58.543,000210106769
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0703A17UPS19.012.58.543,500210106766
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS98MV0603A17UPS19.012.58.543,500210106763
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0703A17M4S19.012.58.543,500210106749
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V0703A17M4S19.012.58.543,500210106934
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V1005A21M4S18.012.58.543,000210106757
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climateS962V1005A21M4S18.012.58.543,000210106943
SHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate-18.012.58.543,500210106714
SHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate-18.012.58.543,500210106900
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$851-$2,596

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the Sure SP18AZ36AJVC?
The Sure SP18AZ36AJVC is rated at up to 19.0 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 24 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-19.0.
Is the Sure SP18AZ36AJVC 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 Sure SP18AZ36AJVC cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $851-$2,596 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,093 in Phoenix and $2,203 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 Sure SP18AZ36AJVC?
ENERGY STAR lists 24 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TCFZ6021SEAAM, SHMVZ6021SEACA.
What refrigerant does the Sure SP18AZ36AJVC 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 $1,108/yrYou save $685/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 Sure SP18AZ36AJVC
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,108
Current system, per year
$1,793
You save per year
$685
Payback
19.0 years
Net after 10 years
-$6,151

Cooling $634Heating $474Electricity used: 6,925 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $271

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

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.