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      3-ton central heat pump · IVS 18

      TCL H36TDH18XAC

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

      Ranks #54 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $977 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 85%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 54%
      EER2
      10.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 10%
      Heat at 5°F
      26,000 BTU/h76% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      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 26,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandTCL
      Outdoor unit modelH36TDH18XAC
      SeriesIVS 18
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceOctober 16, 2024
      Last certifiedSeptember 15, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.0 (range 19.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-11.7
      Cooling capacity24,000-36,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F24,000-36,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F21,000-28,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F20,000-26,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder76% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with H36AHH18XAE at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      H36AHH18XAE · cold climate19.010.09.026,000215869484
      H24AHH17XAE · cold climate19.011.79.020,000216706226
      H36APH20UDE · cold climate19.010.09.026,000218736935
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$843-$2,360

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the TCL H36TDH18XAC?
      The TCL H36TDH18XAC is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 10.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the TCL H36TDH18XAC good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 26,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the TCL H36TDH18XAC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $843-$2,360 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,053 in Phoenix and $1,983 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 TCL H36TDH18XAC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use H36AHH18XAE, H24AHH17XAE, H36APH20UDE.
      What refrigerant does the TCL H36TDH18XAC 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 $1,053/yrYou save $700/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 TCL H36TDH18XAC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,053
      Current system, per year
      $1,753
      You save per year
      $700
      Payback
      18.6 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$5,999

      Cooling $630Heating $423Electricity used: 6,581 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $292

      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 September 15, 2026. How we use the data.