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      2-ton central heat pump · NS18H SERIES

      GE NS18H36MA4-

      Very good cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 2-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #63 of 331 2 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $704 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 85%
      HSPF2
      8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 38%
      EER2
      11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 43%
      Heat at 5°F
      18,400 BTU/h53% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 71%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 85% of central heat pumps.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
      • You want a choice of indoor units - 35 certified pairings.

      Think twice if…

      • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications2 ton, R-410A
      General
      BrandGE
      Outdoor unit modelNS18H36MA4-
      SeriesNS18H SERIES
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size2 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2023
      Last certifiedJune 4, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better19.0 (range 17.1-19.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-12.3
      Cooling capacity22,000-34,400 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.5
      Capacity at 47°F22,000-34,400 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F15,000-22,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F14,500-18,400 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.85-2.18
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder53% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with NAM36V1TA4- at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups35 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 unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
      NAM36V1TA4--19.011.78.518,100209941275
      NCHC30BT4NF96U045V3B-*19.012.38.515,000209941314
      NCHC30BT4NF96U070V3B-*19.012.38.514,900209941315
      NAM36V2TA4-19.011.78.518,400213255778
      NAM30V2TA4-19.012.38.515,300213255777
      NAM24V2TA4-19.012.38.514,500213255776
      NCHC30BT4+TDRNF98U070M3B19.012.38.514,900215835864
      NCHC30BT5D-**+TDRNF98U070M3B19.012.38.514,900215835871
      NCUC30BT4NF96U070V3B-*19.012.38.114,800209941252
      NCUU30BP4+TXVNF96U070V3B-*19.012.38.114,800209941250
      NCUC30BT4+TDRNF98U070M3B19.012.38.114,800215835896
      NCUU30BP4+TDR+TXVNF98U070M3B19.012.38.114,800215835963
      NCUC30BT5D-**+TDRNF98U070M3B19.012.38.114,800215835899
      NCUC24BT4NF96U070V3B-*19.012.37.815,200209941251
      NCUC24BT4NF96U045V3B-*19.012.37.815,300209941242
      NCUU24BP4+TXVNF96U045V3B-*19.012.37.815,300209941241
      NCUU24BP4+TXVNF96U070V3B-*19.012.37.815,200209941249
      NCHC30BT4NF96U045S3B-*18.512.38.515,300209941214
      NAM24V1TA4--18.512.38.515,400209941285
      NAM18V1TA4--18.512.38.515,200209941284
      NAM30V1TA4--18.512.38.515,200209941316
      NCUC30BT4NF96U045V3B-*18.512.38.114,900209941313
      NCUU30BP4+TXVNF96U045V3B-*18.512.38.114,900209941312
      NCHC30BT4NF96U070S3B-*18.012.38.515,300209941223
      NCUC24BT4NF96U045S3B-*18.012.37.815,600209941212
      NCUU24BP4+TXVNF96U045S3B-*18.012.37.815,600209941210
      NCUC24BT4NF96U070S3B-*18.012.37.815,600209941311
      NCUU24BP4+TXVNF96U070S3B-*18.012.37.815,600209941310
      NAM42V1TA4--17.511.78.518,200209941279
      NAM30E1TA4--17.512.38.515,300209941283
      NCUU30BP4+TXVNF96U045S3B-*17.512.38.115,200209941211
      NAM24E1TA4--17.512.38.114,900209941282
      NAM18P1TA4-17.112.38.514,700209941280
      NCUC30BT4NF96U070S3B-*17.112.37.815,200209941222
      NCUU30BP4+TXVNF96U070S3B-*17.112.37.815,200209941221
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$586-$1,717

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the GE NS18H36MA4-?
      The GE NS18H36MA4- is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 35 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.1-19.0.
      Is the GE NS18H36MA4- 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-ton model.
      How much does the GE NS18H36MA4- cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $586-$1,717 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $743 in Phoenix and $1,450 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 GE NS18H36MA4-?
      ENERGY STAR lists 35 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use NAM36V1TA4-, NCHC30BT4, NAM36V2TA4.
      What refrigerant does the GE NS18H36MA4- 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 $748/yrYou save $469/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 GE NS18H36MA4-
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $748
      Current system, per year
      $1,217
      You save per year
      $469
      Payback
      19.2 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,313

      Cooling $437Heating $311Electricity used: 4,676 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $185

      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 ton models

      See all 331 2 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 4, 2026. How we use the data.