HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · 45M Series

Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3

Average cooling efficiency and excellent heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #87 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $987 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
18.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 66%
HSPF2
10.3 Heating efficiency over a season
Excellent · beats 92%
EER2
12.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 64%
Heat at 5°F
39,000 BTU/h101% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 20%

A good fit if…

  • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
  • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 92% of central heat pumps.
  • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
  • You want a choice of indoor units - 38 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

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

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-454B
General
BrandCarrier
Also sold asBryant, Midea, WeatherMaker, Payne
Outdoor unit model37MUHAQ36AA3
Series45M Series
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
RefrigerantR-454B
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceNovember 15, 2018
Last certifiedSeptember 22, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.0 (range 15.8-18.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors10.7-12.0
Cooling capacity36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.4-10.3
Capacity at 47°F37,000-38,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F29,200-33,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F34,600-39,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.80-1.90
ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
Heating output as it gets colder101% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 45MUHAQ36XX3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups38 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.
45MUHAQ36XX3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400215323720
45MUHAQ36XX3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400215323721
45MUHAQ36XX3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400215323722
45MUHAQ36XX3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400215323723
45MUHAQ36XX3 · cold climate18.012.010.037,400215323724
D5FUHAH36XAK · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217557346
D5FUHAH36XAK · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217557337
D5FUHAH36XAK · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217730696
D5FUHAH36XAK · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217730702
D5FUHAH36XAK · cold climate18.012.010.037,400217730708
45MUAAQ36XX3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000215318751
45MUAAQ36XX3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000215318779
45MUAAQ36XX3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000215318807
45MUAAQ36XX3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000215318863
45MUAAQ36XX3 · cold climate17.411.710.339,000215318835
D5MUWAQ36XA3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217730619
D5MUWAQ36XA3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217730635
D5MUWAQ36XA3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217730651
D5MUWAQ36XA3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217730667
D5MUWAQ36XA3 · cold climate16.811.29.634,600217730683
45MULAQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456388
45MULAQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456304
45MULAQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456305
45MULAQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456332
45MULAQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456333
45MULAQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456360
45MULAQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456361
45MULAQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456389
45MULAQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456416
45MULAQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000217456417
45MULBQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792385
45MULBQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792384
45MULBQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792371
45MULBQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792370
45MULBQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792357
45MULBQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792356
45MULBQ36XBX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792343
45MULBQ36XCX · cold climate15.810.79.436,000218792342
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$937-$2,316

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3?
The Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3 is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 12.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 38 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.8-18.0.
Is the Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3 good for cold climates?
Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 39,000 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 Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3 cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $937-$2,316 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,129 in Phoenix and $1,915 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 Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3?
ENERGY STAR lists 38 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use 45MUHAQ36XX3, D5FUHAH36XAK, 45MUAAQ36XX3.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3 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 $1,106/yrYou save $766/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 Carrier 37MUHAQ36AA3
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,106
Current system, per year
$1,873
You save per year
$766
Payback
17.6 years
Net after 10 years
-$5,837

Cooling $704Heating $402Electricity used: 6,915 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $332

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 September 22, 2026. How we use the data.