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      48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DLC-series

      Arcoaire DLCMRBH48EAK

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #66 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,283 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.1 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 34%
      HSPF2
      9.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 24%
      EER2
      11.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 9%
      Heat at 5°F
      33,000 BTU/h69% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 9%

      A good fit if…

      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 12 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications48,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandArcoaire
      Also sold asComfortmaker, Day & Night, Heil, Keeprite, Kenmore, Midea, Tempstar, Smart Comfort, Airquest, LPS Legacy, Viessmann
      Outdoor unit modelDLCMRBH48EAK
      SeriesDLC-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size48,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMay 15, 2022
      Last certifiedJuly 17, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.1 (range 21.1)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.0
      Cooling capacity48,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5
      Capacity at 47°F48,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F36,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F33,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder69% 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 matchups12 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.
      - ARCOAIRE21.111.09.533,000207643005
      - COMFORTMAKER21.111.09.533,000207643026
      - DAY & NIGHT21.111.09.533,000207643047
      - HEIL21.111.09.533,000207643068
      - KEEPRITE21.111.09.533,000207643089
      - KENMORE21.111.09.533,000207643110
      - MIDEA21.111.09.533,000207643131
      - TEMPSTAR21.111.09.533,000207643152
      - SMART COMFORT21.111.09.533,000207643173
      - AIRQUEST21.111.09.533,000207643194
      - LPS Legacy21.111.09.533,000211756503
      - Viessmann21.111.09.533,000215569826
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,073-$3,128

      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 DLCMRBH48EAK?
      The Arcoaire DLCMRBH48EAK is rated at up to 21.1 SEER2 and 11.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Arcoaire DLCMRBH48EAK 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 48,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Arcoaire DLCMRBH48EAK cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,073-$3,128 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,359 in Phoenix and $2,641 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 DLCMRBH48EAK 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 $1,367/yrYou save $1,108/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 DLCMRBH48EAK
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,367
      Current system, per year
      $2,475
      You save per year
      $1,108
      Payback
      16.2 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,917

      Cooling $801Heating $566Electricity used: 8,542 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $532

      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.

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of July 17, 2025. How we use the data.