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      30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MG-series

      Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3

      Excellent cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #1 of 171 30,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $734 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      26.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Excellent · beats 91%
      HSPF2
      9.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 33%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      25,200 BTU/h84% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 9%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 91% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 25,200 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 15 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • 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

      Specifications30,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandBryant
      Also sold asCarrier, Midea, WeatherMaker, Payne
      Outdoor unit model38MGHBQ30DA3
      Series38MG-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size30,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better26.0 (range 20.0-26.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-13.0
      Cooling capacity30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.2-9.8
      Capacity at 47°F30,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F27,000-29,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F24,000-25,200 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.68-1.80
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder84% 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 matchups15 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.
      - CARRIER · cold climate26.013.09.825,200207642882
      - BRYANT · cold climate26.013.09.825,200207642903
      - PAYNE · cold climate26.013.09.825,200207642924
      - MIDEA · cold climate26.013.09.825,200207642966
      - Weathermaker · cold climate26.013.09.825,200207642945
      - PAYNE23.012.59.524,600207642926
      - CARRIER23.012.59.524,600207642884
      - BRYANT23.012.59.524,600207642905
      - MIDEA23.012.59.524,600207642968
      - Weathermaker23.012.59.524,600207642947
      - BRYANT20.012.09.224,000207642904
      - CARRIER20.012.09.224,000207642883
      - MIDEA20.012.09.224,000207642967
      - Weathermaker20.012.09.224,000207642946
      - PAYNE20.012.09.224,000207642925
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$548-$1,841

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

      Questions4
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3?
      The Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3 is rated at up to 26.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 15 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.0-26.0.
      Is the Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3 good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 25,200 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.80, so it is still 1.8 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $548-$1,841 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $728 in Phoenix and $1,578 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      What refrigerant does the Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3 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 $749/yrYou save $798/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 Bryant 38MGHBQ30DA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $749
      Current system, per year
      $1,547
      You save per year
      $798
      Payback
      14.4 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$3,521

      Cooling $406Heating $343Electricity used: 4,681 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $437

      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 March 4, 2025. How we use the data.