HVAC Rated
    Menu

      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · B-Series

      AUX AHU18HPV1BO

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #436 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $589 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.2 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 11%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 10%
      EER2
      11.6 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 14%
      Heat at 5°F
      20,400 BTU/h113% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 27%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 20,400 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandAUX
      Outdoor unit modelAHU18HPV1BO
      SeriesB-Series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceFebruary 22, 2025
      Last certifiedMarch 24, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.2 (range 19.2)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.6
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F18,000-22,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F20,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F20,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder113% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with AHU18HPV1BI at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      AHU18HPV1BI · cold climate19.211.69.020,400216032392
      AHU18HPV1BI · cold climate19.211.69.020,400217729378
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$445-$1,474

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the AUX AHU18HPV1BO?
      The AUX AHU18HPV1BO is rated at up to 19.2 SEER2 and 11.6 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the AUX AHU18HPV1BO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 20,400 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the AUX AHU18HPV1BO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $445-$1,474 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $588 in Phoenix and $1,262 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 AUX AHU18HPV1BO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses AHU18HPV1BI.
      What refrigerant does the AUX AHU18HPV1BO use?
      It uses 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 $604/yrYou save $390/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 AUX AHU18HPV1BO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $604
      Current system, per year
      $994
      You save per year
      $390
      Payback
      18.0 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,102

      Cooling $330Heating $274Electricity used: 3,774 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $168

      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 18,000 BTU models

      See all 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 24, 2026. How we use the data.