3-ton central heat pump · LX SERIES
Guardian RHP15036B21
Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #295 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,174 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 15.2 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 6%
- HSPF2
- 7.8 Heating efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 5%
- EER2
- 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayAverage · beats 43%
- Heat at 5°F
- 18,500 BTU/h53% of its 47°F outputVery good · beats 80%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
- You want a choice of indoor units - 14 certified pairings.
Think twice if…
- 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.
- You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Guardian |
| Also sold as | EVCON |
| Outdoor unit model | RHP15036B21 |
| Series | LX SERIES |
| Type | Central heat pump |
| Nominal size | 3 ton |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Two-stage |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | April 25, 2024 |
| Last certified | July 14, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 15.2 (range 15.2) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 11.7-12.0 |
| Cooling capacity | 34,200-35,600 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 7.8 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 33,400-34,600 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 21,800-22,600 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 17,700-18,500 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 2.16-2.22 |
| ENERGY STAR cold climate | Yes |
Heating output as it gets colder
Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with XAHC48FBCN1 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAHC48FBCN1 · cold climate | RG19080C16MPS1 | 15.2 | 11.7 | 7.8 | 18,500 | 214648019 |
| XAHC48FBCN1 · cold climate | RG19080C16MPS1 | 15.2 | 11.7 | 7.8 | 18,500 | 214648020 |
| XAHC36DBCN1+JME12C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,200 | 214799616 |
| XAHC36DBCN1+JME12C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,200 | 214799617 |
| XAHC36DBCN1+JME16C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,700 | 214799623 |
| XAHC36DBCN1+JME16C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,700 | 214799624 |
| XAFC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,000 | 214799636 |
| XAFC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,000 | 214799635 |
| XAFD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,100 | 214799660 |
| XAFD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 18,100 | 214799659 |
| XAHC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,700 | 214799674 |
| XAHC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,700 | 214799673 |
| XAHD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,800 | 214799695 |
| XAHD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1 | - | 15.2 | 12.0 | 7.8 | 17,800 | 214799696 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,317/yr
- Miami, FL$1,080/yr
- Houston, TX$1,180/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,174/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,138/yr
- New York, NY$2,780/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,252/yr
- Denver, CO$1,869/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,145/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,311/yr
At each state's average electricity price and the city's typical heating and cooling hours.
Questions
- What is the SEER2 rating of the Guardian RHP15036B21?
- The Guardian RHP15036B21 is rated at up to 15.2 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 7.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
- Is the Guardian RHP15036B21 good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,500 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.22, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Guardian RHP15036B21 cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,080-$2,780 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,317 in Phoenix and $2,311 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 Guardian RHP15036B21?
- ENERGY STAR lists 14 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use XAHC48FBCN1, XAHC36DBCN1+JME12C2SN1, XAHC36DBCN1+JME16C2SN1.
- What refrigerant does the Guardian RHP15036B21 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.
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See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of July 14, 2026. How we use the data.