What is the SEER2 rating of the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA?

The Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA is rated at up to 16.5 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 188 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.

Is the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA good for cold climates?

It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 3-ton model.

How much does the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,021-$2,835 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,273 in Phoenix and $2,380 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 Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA?

ENERGY STAR lists 188 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FTMA5B48L0C, QFVA5D4821X, EA*5X43M21A.

3-ton central heat pump · Mainline 18 SEER2 HP

Tempstar T5H8T36KAAA

Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #197 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,176 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 16.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 40%
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: 19,600 BTU/h50% of its 47°F output
Excellent · beats 95%

A good fit if…

You want a choice of indoor units - 188 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Tempstar
Outdoor unit model	T5H8T36KAAA
Series	Mainline 18 SEER2 HP
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Two-stage
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	November 1, 2024
Last certified	September 15, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	16.5 (range 15.2-16.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-13.0
Cooling capacity	33,800-38,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	7.8-8.5
Capacity at 47°F	37,200-39,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	23,000-24,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	17,500-19,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.84-2.40
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder50% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with FTMA5B48L0C at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups188 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. The 60 highest-rated of 188 are shown. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
FTMA5B48L0C	-	16.5	12.5	8.1	18,700	216360598
QFVA5D4821X	-	16.5	13.0	8.1	18,400	218695612
EA*5X43M21A	80MSU0802120A	16.0	12.0	8.5	19,100	216358222
EA5X43M21A+WALLCON	80CSU0802120B	16.0	12.0	8.5	19,200	216358542
EA*5X37M21A	80MSU0601716A	16.0	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357262
EA*5X43M21A	80MSU0601716A	16.0	12.0	8.1	19,300	216358214
QFVA5D3617X	-	16.0	12.5	8.1	18,300	218695605
EA5X43M21A+WALLCON	80CSU0802120A	16.0	12.0	8.0	19,300	216358158
FCMA5B48L0C*+WALLCON	-	16.0	13.0	8.0	18,900	216360614
EA5X37M21A+WALLCON	80CSU0802120B	16.0	12.0	8.0	19,300	216357582
EVM5X48M21A	80MSU0802120A	16.0	12.5	7.8	17,500	216354478
EVM5X49M21A	80MSU0802120A	16.0	12.5	7.8	17,700	216354742
EVD5X38M17A	80VSL0901716B	16.0	12.5	7.8	17,600	216355614
EVD5X38M17A	80MSU0401712A	16.0	12.5	7.8	17,600	216355622
EVD5X38M17A	80MSU0601716A	16.0	12.5	7.8	17,600	216355630
EA*5X48M21A	80VSL0902120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,200	216358678
EA*5X48M21A	80VSL1102122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,100	216358686
EA*5X48M21A	80MSU0401712A	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,200	216358694
EA*5X48M21A	80MSU0601716A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,000	216358702
EA*5X48M21A	80MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,000	216358710
EA5X37M21A+WALLCON	80CSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357206
EA*5X37M21A	80VSL0901716B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,300	216357230
EA*5X37M21A	80VSL0902120B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357238
EA*5X37M21A	80VSL1102122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,400	216357246
EA*5X37M21A	80MSU0401712A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357254
EA*5X37M21A	80MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,100	216357270
EA*5X37M21A	80MSU1002120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,400	216357278
EA*5X37M21A	80VTL0902120B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357342
EA*5X37M21A	80VTL1102122B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,500	216357350
EA*5X48M21A	80MSU1002120A	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,300	216358718
EA*5X42M21A	96VTN1002122B	15.5	11.7	8.1	18,800	216358030
EA*5X48M21A	96VSN1002120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,300	216358886
EA*5X48M21A	95MSU1002122A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,000	216358926
EA*5X48M21A	80VTL0902120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,200	216358782
ESH5X42M12A	80MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,000	216359662
EA*5X48M21A	80VTL1102122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,100	216358790
EA*5X37M21A	96VSN0802120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,300	216357438
EA*5X37M21A	96VSN1002120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,400	216357446
EA*5X37M21A	95MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216357462
EA*5X37M21A	95MSU1002120A	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,400	216357470
EA*5X37M21A	95MSU1002122A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,400	216357478
EA*5X43M21A	80VSL0701716B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,400	216358174
EA*5X43M21A	80VSL0901716B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216358182
EA*5X43M21A	80VSL0902120B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216358190
EA*5X48M21A	95MSU1002120A	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,100	216358918
EA*5X43M21A	80VSL1102122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,200	216358198
EA*5X43M21A	80MSU0401712A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216358206
EA*5X43M21A	80MSU1002120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,400	216358230
EA*5X48M21A	96VTN1002120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,100	216358990
EA*5X43M21A	95MSU1002122A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,100	216358430
EA*5X48M21A	96VTN1002122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,100	216358998
EA*5X43M21A	96VTN1002122B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,200	216358502
EA*5X43M21A	96VSN0802120B	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,300	216358390
EA*5X43M21A	96VSN1002120B	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,400	216358398
EA*5X43M21A	95MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	19,300	216358414
EA*5X37M17A	80VSL0901716B	15.5	12.0	8.1	18,900	216356942
EA*5X37M17A	80MSU0401712A	15.5	12.0	8.1	18,800	216356950
EA*5X37M17A	80MSU0601716A	15.5	12.0	8.1	18,800	216356958
EA*5X42M21A	80MSU0802120A	15.5	12.0	8.1	18,800	216357750
EA*5X43M21A	95MSU1002120A	15.5	11.7	8.1	19,400	216358422

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,021-$2,835

Phoenix, AZ$1,273/yr
Miami, FL$1,021/yr
Houston, TX$1,142/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,176/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,149/yr
New York, NY$2,835/yr
Chicago, IL$2,307/yr
Denver, CO$1,922/yr
Seattle, WA$1,184/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,380/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA?: The Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA is rated at up to 16.5 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 188 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.5.
Is the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA good for cold climates?: It is not cold-climate certified: none of its matchups meet the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria (a COP of at least 1.75 at 5°F among other limits). In places with frequent sub-zero nights, pick a cold-climate 3-ton model.
How much does the Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,021-$2,835 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,273 in Phoenix and $2,380 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 Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA?: ENERGY STAR lists 188 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use FTMA5B48L0C, QFVA5D4821X, EA*5X43M21A.
What refrigerant does the Tempstar T5H8T36*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 $1,271/yrYou save $619/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Tempstar T5H8T36*K*AAA

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,271
Current system, per year: $1,890
You save per year: $619
Payback: 21.8 years
Net after 10 years: -$7,309

Cooling $764Heating $507Electricity used: 7,944 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $185

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

Kenmore (C,H,T)5H8T36*K*AAA16.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Trane 5TWR5036A116.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Heil H5H8T36*K*AAA16.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Trane 5TWR6036A116.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Heil D5CUHAH36AAK+TIC2025-0016 · cold climate16.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Trane 5TWX5036A116.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3+TIC2025-0016 · cold climate16.5 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Innovair SHV36H2BA · cold climate16.5 SEER2 · 8.2 HSPF2

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.