What is the SEER2 rating of the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3?

The Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 45 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.6-21.5.

Is the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,049 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $466 in Phoenix and $882 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 38MARBQ18AA3?

ENERGY STAR lists 45 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MAHBQ18XA3, BRYANT 619AHBQ18XA3, PAYNE DHMAHBQ18XA3.

What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 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.

18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MAR-series

Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3

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

Ranks #263 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $434 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 21.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 39%
HSPF2: 11.3 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 81%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 44%
Heat at 5°F: 18,000 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 78%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 81% of mini-splits.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 45 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 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

Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Carrier
Also sold as	Bryant, Payne, Midea, WeatherMaker
Outdoor unit model	38MARBQ18AA3
Series	38MAR-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	18,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2018
Last certified	June 13, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	21.5 (range 17.6-21.5)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.5
Cooling capacity	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.5-11.3
Capacity at 47°F	17,000-20,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	10,900-15,800 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	16,000-18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.75-2.20
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MAHBQ18XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups45 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
40MAHBQ18XA3 CARRIER · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	206348137
619AHBQ18XA3 BRYANT · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	206348144
DHMAHBQ18XA3 PAYNE · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	206350315
DHMAHBQ18XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	206350325
DHMAHBQ18XA3 MIDEA · cold climate	21.5	12.5	11.3	18,000	206350320
40MBFQ18---3 MIDEA · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	206350378
40MBFQ18---3 Weathermaker · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	206350367
40MBFQ18---3 PAYNE · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	206350356
40MBFQ18---3 BRYANT · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	206350345
40MBFQ18---3 CARRIER · cold climate	20.5	12.5	9.8	16,800	206350334
40MBCQ18---3 MIDEA · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	206350376
40MBCQ18---3 Weathermaker · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	206350365
40MBCQ18---3 PAYNE · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	206350354
40MBCQ18---3 BRYANT · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	206350343
40MBCQ18---3 CARRIER · cold climate	20.0	12.5	9.5	16,000	206350332
40MCCAQ18XA3 MIDEA · cold climate	19.8	12.5	11.2	16,700	209270306
40MCCAQ18XA3 Weathermaker · cold climate	19.8	12.5	11.2	16,700	209270302
40MCCAQ18XA3 PAYNE · cold climate	19.8	12.5	11.2	16,700	209270298
40MCCAQ18XA3 BRYANT · cold climate	19.8	12.5	11.2	16,700	209270294
40MCCAQ18XA3 CARRIER · cold climate	19.8	12.5	11.2	16,700	209270290
DHMSHAQ18XA3 Weathermaker	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	206400668
DHMSHAQ18XA3 MIDEA	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	206400662
DHMSHAQ18XA3 PAYNE	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	206400656
619PEQ018BBMA BRYANT	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	206400650
40MAQB18B--3 CARRIER	19.4	12.5	10.0	16,400	206400644
40MBDAQ18XH3 MIDEA · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.8	18,000	211132964
40MBDAQ18XH3 Weathermaker · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.8	18,000	211132952
40MBDAQ18XH3 PAYNE · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.8	18,000	211132941
40MBDAQ18XH3 BRYANT · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.8	18,000	211132930
40MBDAQ18XH3 CARRIER · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.8	18,000	211132918
40MBDQ24---3 MIDEA · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.5	16,000	207801582
40MBDQ24---3 Weathermaker · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.5	16,000	207801581
40MBDQ24---3 PAYNE · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.5	16,000	207801580
40MBDQ24---3 BRYANT · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.5	16,000	207801579
40MBDQ24---3 CARRIER · cold climate	18.0	12.1	10.5	16,000	207801578
40MBDQ18---3 MIDEA · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206350377
40MBDQ18---3 Weathermaker · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206350366
40MBDQ18---3 PAYNE · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206350355
40MBDQ18---3 BRYANT · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206350344
40MBDQ18---3 CARRIER · cold climate	18.0	11.7	9.5	17,700	206350333
40MBABQ18XB3 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	207826659
40MBABQ18XB3 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	207826679
40MBABQ18XB3 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	207826674
40MBABQ18XB3 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	207826664
40MBABQ18XB3 · cold climate	17.6	11.7	9.6	17,000	207826669

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$372-$1,049

Phoenix, AZ$466/yr
Miami, FL$372/yr
Houston, TX$418/yr
Atlanta, GA$434/yr
Los Angeles, CA$424/yr
New York, NY$1,049/yr
Chicago, IL$854/yr
Denver, CO$712/yr
Seattle, WA$439/yr
Minneapolis, MN$882/yr

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 38MARBQ18AA3?: The Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 is rated at up to 21.5 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.3 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 45 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.6-21.5.
Is the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $372-$1,049 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $466 in Phoenix and $882 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 38MARBQ18AA3?: ENERGY STAR lists 45 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CARRIER 40MAHBQ18XA3, BRYANT 619AHBQ18XA3, PAYNE DHMAHBQ18XA3.
What refrigerant does the Carrier 38MARBQ18AA3 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 $467/yrYou save $443/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 38MARBQ18AA3

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: $467
Current system, per year: $909
You save per year: $443
Payback: 14.7 years
Net after 10 years: -$2,074

Cooling $278Heating $188Electricity used: 2,917 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $236

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

CanAir C23SCH18H22 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Comfort-Aire A-KMH18SU-1 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Breeze33 BZ33-HYP18OUT2-G2-P · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Comfort-Aire A-VMH18SV-1 · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Bosch BMS500-AAS018-1CSXHC · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
ComfortStar CHF18CD(O) · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
Blueridge BMY18HH22C · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2
DIRECT AIR DIRM-18HXPRO28-1Z · cold climate21.5 SEER2 · 11.3 HSPF2

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

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 13, 2026. How we use the data.