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      3-ton central heat pump · AFFINITY

      York YZT36B21

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

      Ranks #173 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,151 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      17.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 49%
      HSPF2
      7.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 5%
      EER2
      12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 80%
      Heat at 5°F
      18,400 BTU/h51% of its 47°F output
      Average · beats 51%

      A good fit if…

      • You want a choice of indoor units - 27 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.
      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications3 ton, R-410A
      General
      BrandYork
      Outdoor unit modelYZT36B21
      SeriesAFFINITY
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerTwo-stage
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJune 7, 2023
      Last certifiedJuly 7, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better17.0 (range 16.0-17.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-12.5
      Cooling capacity34,600-35,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8
      Capacity at 47°F34,800-35,400 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F22,800-23,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F17,900-18,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-2.06
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder51% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with XAFC60GBCN1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups27 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.
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8Y120C20MP1117.012.57.818,000210294788
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8Y100C20MP1117.012.57.818,000210294791
      XAHC60GBCN1TM8Y120C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294819
      XAHC60GBCN1TMLE080C20MP1117.012.07.818,300210294815
      XAHC60GBCN1TM8E080C20MP1117.012.07.818,300210294813
      XAHC60GBCN1TM8E100C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294824
      XAHC60GBCN1TM8Y100C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294820
      XAHC60GBCN1TMLE100C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294825
      XAHC60GBCN1TMLE120C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294841
      XAHC60GBCN1TM8E120C20MP1117.012.07.818,000210294840
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8Y100C16MP1117.012.57.817,900209195226
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8Y080C16MP1117.012.57.817,900209195228
      XAFC60GBCN1TPLC100C20MP1317.012.07.818,000209197811
      XAFC60GBCN1YPLC120C20MP1317.012.07.818,000209197817
      XAFC60GBCN1TPLC120C20MP1317.012.07.818,000209197813
      XAFC60GBCN1YPLC100C20MP1317.012.07.818,000209197815
      XAFC60GBCN1Y82E120C20LMPS117.011.77.817,900211770963
      XAFC60GBCN1TMLE120C20MP1116.012.57.818,100210294862
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8E080C20MP1116.012.57.818,000210294883
      XAFC60GBCN1TMLE080C20MP1116.012.57.818,000210294886
      XAFC60GBCN1TMLE100C20MP1116.012.57.818,000210294799
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8E100C20MP1116.012.57.818,000210294796
      XAFC60GBCN1TM8E120C20MP1116.012.57.818,100210294860
      XAFC60GBCN1TPLC100C16MP1316.012.07.818,400209194177
      XAFC60GBCN1YPLC080C16MP1316.012.07.818,400209194178
      XAFC60GBCN1TPLC080C16MP1316.012.07.818,400209194176
      XAFC60GBCN1YPLC100C16MP1316.012.07.818,400209194179
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$971-$2,800

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the York YZT36B21?
      The York YZT36B21 is rated at up to 17.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 7.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 27 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 16.0-17.0.
      Is the York YZT36B21 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 York YZT36B21 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $971-$2,800 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,225 in Phoenix and $2,361 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 York YZT36B21?
      ENERGY STAR lists 27 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use XAFC60GBCN1, XAHC60GBCN1.
      What refrigerant does the York YZT36B21 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 $1,230/yrYou save $578/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 York YZT36B21
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,230
      Current system, per year
      $1,808
      You save per year
      $578
      Payback
      22.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$7,222

      Cooling $725Heating $505Electricity used: 7,688 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $157

      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 July 7, 2026. How we use the data.