HVAC Rated

36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · D5C Series

Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK

Average cooling and heating efficiency for a 36,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #31 of 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $863 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
23.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 66%
HSPF2
10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 68%
EER2
13.1 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 68%
Heat at 5°F
38,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 48%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 38,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 36 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

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

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications36,000 BTU, R-454B
General
BrandArcoaire
Also sold asComfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, LPS Legacy, Keeprite, Kenmore, Midea, Tempstar, Smart Comfort, Airquest, Viessmann
Outdoor unit modelD5CMHAH36EAK
SeriesD5C Series
TypeMini-split heat pump
Nominal size36,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 15, 2018
Last certifiedMay 28, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better23.1 (range 19.5-23.1)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-13.1
Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better10.5-10.7
Capacity at 47°F36,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F38,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F36,000-38,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

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

Certified matchups36 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.
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357147
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357202
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357244
- HEIL · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357286
- LPS Legacy · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357622
- KEEPRITE · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357328
- KENMORE · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357370
- MIDEA · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357412
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357480
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357538
- AIRQUEST · cold climate23.113.110.736,000215357580
- Viessmann · cold climate23.113.110.736,000217178826
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357150
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357204
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357246
- HEIL · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357288
- KEEPRITE · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357330
- LPS Legacy · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357624
- KENMORE · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357372
- MIDEA · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357414
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357484
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357540
- AIRQUEST · cold climate21.312.610.637,000215357582
- Viessmann · cold climate21.312.610.637,000217178828
- ARCOAIRE · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357149
- COMFORTMAKER · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357203
- DAY & NIGHT · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357245
- HEIL · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357287
- LPS Legacy · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357623
- KEEPRITE · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357329
- KENMORE · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357371
- MIDEA · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357413
- TEMPSTAR · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357482
- SMART COMFORT · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357539
- AIRQUEST · cold climate19.512.010.538,000215357581
- Viessmann · cold climate19.512.010.538,000217178827
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$734-$2,093

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

Questions4
What is the SEER2 rating of the Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK?
The Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK is rated at up to 23.1 SEER2 and 13.1 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 36 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 19.5-23.1.
Is the Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 38,000 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 Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $734-$2,093 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $923 in Phoenix and $1,763 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
What refrigerant does the Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK 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 $925/yrYou save $931/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 Arcoaire D5CMHAH36EAK
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$925
Current system, per year
$1,856
You save per year
$931
Payback
14.5 years
Net after 10 years
-$4,191

Cooling $549Heating $377Electricity used: 5,784 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $498

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 36,000 BTU models

See all 205 36,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 28, 2026. How we use the data.