HVAC Rated

3.5-ton central heat pump · SmartSense 23 VS HP

Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA

Excellent cooling efficiency and very good heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #6 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,230 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
23.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 99%
HSPF2
9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 70%
EER2
12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 80%
Heat at 5°F
38,500 BTU/h74% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

  • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 99% of central heat pumps.
  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 70% of central heat pumps.
  • 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

Specifications3.5 ton, R-454B
General
BrandTempstar
Also sold asKenmore
Outdoor unit modelT5H3V48*K*AAA
SeriesSmartSense 23 VS HP
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 1, 2024
Last certifiedJuly 16, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.0 (range 19.5-23.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.0-12.5
Cooling capacity43,000-46,500 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.0-9.5
Capacity at 47°F48,000-53,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F39,000-43,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F35,600-38,500 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder74% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups138 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 138 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON · cold climate-23.012.59.535,600215931513
FCMA5B48L0C*+WALLCON · cold climate-22.012.09.536,000215934623
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1352422B*21.511.59.536,200215934123
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.511.59.536,600215934193
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU1002122B*21.511.59.536,600215934233
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.511.09.536,200215934113
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU0401712B*21.511.59.536,800215941053
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1002122A*21.511.09.536,800215941123
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1202422A*21.511.59.536,600215941133
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN1202422B*21.511.59.536,800215934423
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN1002122B*21.511.09.536,600215934413
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CMN1002122B*21.511.09.536,600215934393
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU1002122B*21.511.59.536,600215934363
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.511.09.536,800215934203
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1352422B*21.511.59.536,600215934343
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.511.59.536,600215934333
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.511.59.536,600215934323
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU0802120B*21.011.09.536,600215934133
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU1002120A*21.011.09.537,000215934143
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU0802120B*21.011.09.537,000215934223
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN1002122B*21.011.09.536,800215934293
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CMN0802120B*21.011.09.537,000215934263
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CMN1002122B*21.011.09.536,800215934273
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU1002120A*21.011.09.536,800215934303
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU1002122B*21.011.09.536,200215934043
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.011.09.536,200215934013
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.011.09.536,400215934023
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU1002120A*21.011.09.536,400215934093
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0702120B*21.011.09.536,600215934103
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN0802120B*21.011.09.536,600215941003
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN0802120A*21.011.09.536,600215941013
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1002122A*21.011.09.536,400215941023
EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1202422A*21.011.09.536,400215941033
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN0802120B*21.011.09.537,000215941043
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU0601716B*21.011.59.537,000215941063
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN0802120A*21.011.09.537,000215941083
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1002122A*21.011.09.536,800215941093
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*96CTN0802120B*21.011.09.537,000215941103
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN0802120A*21.011.09.537,000215941113
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CTN1002122A*21.010.59.536,400215940993
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU0401712B*21.011.09.536,400215940953
EA*5X48M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CSU0601716B*21.011.09.536,600215940963
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CMN1202422B*21.011.09.536,800215934403
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*97CMN0802120B*21.011.09.536,800215934383
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0702120B*21.011.09.537,000215934313
EA*5X61M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*95CSU0802120B*21.011.09.536,800215934353
EA*5X61M21A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0702120B*21.011.09.537,000215934173
EVM5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.011.58.138,000215937473
EVD5X49M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.011.58.138,000215938023
EVD5X49M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.011.58.138,000215938033
EVD5X49M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1352422B*21.011.58.138,000215938043
EVD5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1352422B*21.011.58.138,000215938323
EVM5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.011.58.138,000215937483
EVM5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1352422B*21.011.58.138,000215937493
EVD5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL0902120B*21.011.58.138,000215938303
EVD5X60M24A*+WALLCON · cold climate*80CTL1102120B*21.011.58.138,000215938313
EVM5X61M24A*+WALLCON*80CTL0902120B*21.012.08.038,000215937603
EVM5X61M24A*+WALLCON*80CTL1102120B*21.012.08.038,000215937613
EVM5X61M24A*+WALLCON*80CTL1352422B*21.012.08.038,000215937623
EVM5X61M24A*+WALLCON*95CSU1002122B*21.012.08.038,000215937643
Same unit, other model numbers1

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$929-$3,078

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

Questions6
What is the SEER2 rating of the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA?
The Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA is rated at up to 23.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 138 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-23.0.
Is the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $929-$3,078 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,227 in Phoenix and $2,635 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA the same as the Kenmore (C,H,T)5H3V48*K*AAA?
Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
Which indoor units work with the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA?
ENERGY STAR lists 138 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FCMA5B60L0D*+WALLCON, FCMA5B48L0C*+WALLCON, EA*5X60M24A*+WALLCON.
What refrigerant does the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA 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 $1,260/yrYou save $1,117/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 Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,260
Current system, per year
$2,378
You save per year
$1,117
Payback
15.2 years
Net after 10 years
-$5,829

Cooling $689Heating $572Electricity used: 7,878 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $571

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 3.5 ton models

See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of July 16, 2026. How we use the data.