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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · DRA1

      DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B

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

      Ranks #81 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $441 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      HSPF2
      10.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 68%
      EER2
      13.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 74%
      Heat at 5°F
      13,100 BTU/h71% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 96%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 13,100 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • 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
      BrandDuraSTAR
      Outdoor unit modelDRA1U18S1B
      SeriesDRA1
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 8, 2020
      Last certifiedMay 12, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.0 (range 17.8-24.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-13.5
      Cooling capacity16,000-18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.3-10.7
      Capacity at 47°F18,000-20,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F12,000-14,100 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F12,700-13,100 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.08-2.44
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder71% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with DRAW18F1B at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups7 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.
      DRAW18F1B Durastar · cold climate24.013.510.512,800207787132
      DRAF18F1A Durastar23.012.510.013,000207787142
      DRAL18F1A Durastar21.812.510.713,100210568108
      DRAC18F1A Durastar20.512.510.512,700207787140
      DRAC18F1A Durastar20.512.510.512,700207787140
      DRAD18F1A Durastar20.012.510.613,000207787141
      DRAM18F1A17.811.79.312,800213350739
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$355-$1,087

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B?
      The DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B is rated at up to 24.0 SEER2 and 13.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.8-24.0.
      Is the DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 13,100 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.44, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $355-$1,087 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $456 in Phoenix and $923 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 DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B?
      ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use Durastar DRAW18F1B, Durastar DRAF18F1A, Durastar DRAL18F1A.
      What refrigerant does the DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B 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 $463/yrYou save $482/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 DuraSTAR DRA1U18S1B
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $463
      Current system, per year
      $944
      You save per year
      $482
      Payback
      14.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,184

      Cooling $264Heating $199Electricity used: 2,893 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $264

      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 May 12, 2026. How we use the data.