What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 27SCA531A**30?

The Carrier 27SCA531A**30 is rated at up to 15.5 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.

Is the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 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 2.5-ton model.

How much does the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $886-$2,407 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,097 in Phoenix and $2,015 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

Is the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 the same as the Bryant 235SAN031**AA?

Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.

Which indoor units work with the Carrier 27SCA531A**30?

ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CAA**3721AM.

2.5-ton central heat pump · COMFORT 15 SEER2 HP

Carrier 27SCA531A**30

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 2.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #163 of 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,003 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 15.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 15%
HSPF2: 8.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 12%
EER2: 12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 64%
Heat at 5°F: 14,000 BTU/h46% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 51%

A good fit if…

You want a certified 2.5-ton central heat pump at a typical efficiency level.

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 central heat pumps.
You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
Comfort and noise matter - a single-stage compressor runs only full-on or off.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications2.5 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant
Outdoor unit model	27SCA531A**30
Series	COMFORT 15 SEER2 HP
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	2.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Single stage
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	July 31, 2025
Last certified	February 11, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	15.5 (range 15.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.0
Cooling capacity	29,200 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.0
Capacity at 47°F	30,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	18,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	14,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.06
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder46% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CAA**3721AM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups1 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 unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
CAA**3721AM	59SU5B100M21**22	15.5	12.0	8.0	14,000	217680772

Same unit, other model numbers1

These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the Carrier 27SCA531A**30: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

Bryant 235SAN031**AA

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$886-$2,407

Phoenix, AZ$1,097/yr
Miami, FL$886/yr
Houston, TX$984/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,003/yr
Los Angeles, CA$978/yr
New York, NY$2,407/yr
Chicago, IL$1,956/yr
Denver, CO$1,627/yr
Seattle, WA$1,001/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,015/yr

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

Questions6

What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 27SCA531A**30?: The Carrier 27SCA531A**30 is rated at up to 15.5 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 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 2.5-ton model.
How much does the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $886-$2,407 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,097 in Phoenix and $2,015 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
Is the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 the same as the Bryant 235SAN031**AA?: Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
Which indoor units work with the Carrier 27SCA531A**30?: ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses CAA**3721AM.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 27SCA531A**30 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 $1,092/yrYou save $437/yrSee details ↓

1. Where you live

StateCityElectricity ¢ per kWh

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.

Cooling hours full-load hours per yearHeating hours full-load hours per year

2. The heat pump Carrier 27SCA531A**30

Find a model (fills in the ratings below)

SEER2 cooling efficiencyHSPF2 heating efficiencyCooling capacity BTU/hHeating capacity BTU/h

3. What it replaces

Current heatingFurnace efficiency (AFUE %)Gas price, $/thermCurrent coolingOld AC rating SEER2 (10 ≈ 15+ years old)

4. Price replace the example with your quote

Installed price, $Rebates and incentives, $ utility, state

Heat pump, per year: $1,092
Current system, per year: $1,529
You save per year: $437
Payback: 25.2 years
Net after 10 years: -$6,630

Cooling $663Heating $428Electricity used: 6,822 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $84

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 2.5 ton models

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WeatherMaker PH5SAN531**AB16.0 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
MDV MOD30-32HFN10-M3 · cold climate15.2 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
Tempstar T5H6S31*K*AAA16.0 SEER2 · 8.0 HSPF2
TCL THH30HAI2NAF2U23 · cold climate15.2 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
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TCL THH36HAI2NAF2U23 · cold climate15.2 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2

See all 199 2.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of February 11, 2026. How we use the data.