What is the SEER2 rating of the Guardian RHP15042B21?

The Guardian RHP15042B21 is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 54 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.

Is the Guardian RHP15042B21 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 3.5-ton model.

How much does the Guardian RHP15042B21 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,188-$3,100 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,454 in Phoenix and $2,581 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 RHP15042B21?

ENERGY STAR lists 54 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use XAHC48FBCN1, XAHC48FXXN1+JMET16CS2N1+TXV, XAHC48FBCN1+JMET16CS2N1.

What refrigerant does the Guardian RHP15042B21 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.

3.5-ton central heat pump · LX SERIES

Guardian RHP15042B21

Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #75 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,304 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 16.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 26%
HSPF2: 8.1 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 20%
EER2: 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 43%
Heat at 5°F: 22,400 BTU/h55% of its 47°F output
Excellent · beats 94%

A good fit if…

You want a choice of indoor units - 54 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
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.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3.5 ton, R-410A

General
Brand	Guardian
Also sold as	EVCON
Outdoor unit model	RHP15042B21
Series	LX SERIES
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Two-stage
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	May 18, 2023
Last certified	July 7, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	16.0 (range 15.2-16.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.0
Cooling capacity	39,500-41,500 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	7.8-8.1
Capacity at 47°F	38,000-40,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	24,600-26,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	18,600-22,400 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	2.00-2.38
ENERGY STAR cold climate	No

Heating output as it gets colder55% kept at 5°F

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 matchups54 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 unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19100C20MPS1	16.0	11.7	8.1	22,200	212415615
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19100C20MPS1	16.0	11.7	8.1	22,200	212415616
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19080C20MPS1	16.0	11.7	8.1	22,400	212415742
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19080C20MPS1	16.0	11.7	8.1	22,400	212415741
XAHC48FBCN1	RGF1L080BE12MP12	16.0	11.7	8.1	18,600	210347064
XAHC48FBCN1	RGF1L080BE12MP12	16.0	11.7	8.1	18,600	210347065
XAHC48FXXN1+JMET16CS2N1+TXV	-	16.0	12.0	8.1	21,000	210347135
XAHC48FXXN1+JMET16CS2N1+TXV	-	16.0	12.0	8.1	21,000	210347134
XAHC48FBCN1+JMET16CS2N1	-	16.0	12.0	8.1	21,000	210347141
XAHC48FBCN1+JMET16CS2N1	-	16.0	12.0	8.1	21,000	210347140
XAFD48FBCN1	RG19120D20MPS1	15.2	12.0	8.1	20,800	212415587
XAFD48FBCN1	RG19120D20MPS1	15.2	12.0	8.1	20,800	212415588
XAHD48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y100C20MP11	15.2	11.7	8.1	20,200	210347671
XAHD48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y100C20MP11	15.2	11.7	8.1	20,200	210347672
XAHD48FBCN1	TM9Y100C20MP11	15.2	11.7	8.1	20,200	210347678
XAHD48FBCN1	TM9Y100C20MP11	15.2	11.7	8.1	20,200	210347677
XAHC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	22,000	214799743
XAHC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	22,000	214799744
XAHD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	22,000	214799767
XAHD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	22,000	214799768
XAFD60GBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,200	214799803
XAFD60GBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,200	214799804
XAHC60GBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,200	214799810
XAHC60GBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,200	214799811
XAHC60GBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,600	214799832
XAHC60GBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,600	214799833
XAHD60GBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,600	214799839
XAHD60GBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	8.1	21,600	214799840
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19100C16MPS1	15.2	11.7	7.8	22,200	212415679
XAHC48FBCN1	RG19100C16MPS1	15.2	11.7	7.8	22,200	212415678
XAFC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347683
XAFC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347684
XAFC48FBCN1	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347689
XAHC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y060B12MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,200	210347701
XAHC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y060B12MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,200	210347702
XAHC48FBCN1	TM9Y060B12MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,200	210347708
XAHC48FBCN1	TM9Y060B12MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,200	210347707
XAFC48FBCN1	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347690
XAFC48FBCN1	RG19080C20MPS1	15.2	11.7	7.8	20,600	212415769
XAFC48FBCN1	RG19080C20MPS1	15.2	11.7	7.8	20,600	212415770
XAHC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	21,600	214799755
XAHC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	21,600	214799756
XAFC60GBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,600	214799779
XAFC60GBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,600	214799780
XAFC60GBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	11.7	7.8	21,000	214799796
XAFC60GBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	11.7	7.8	21,000	214799797
XAFC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,200	214799712
XAFC48FBCN1+JME12C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,200	214799713
XAFC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,200	214799719
XAFC48FBCN1+JME16C2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,200	214799720
XAFD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,800	214799726
XAFD48FBCN1+JME18D2SN1	-	15.2	12.0	7.8	20,800	214799727
XAUC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347695
XAUC48FXXN1+TXV	TM9Y080C16MP11	15.2	11.7	7.8	19,600	210347696

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,188-$3,100

Phoenix, AZ$1,454/yr
Miami, FL$1,188/yr
Houston, TX$1,303/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,304/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,266/yr
New York, NY$3,100/yr
Chicago, IL$2,513/yr
Denver, CO$2,087/yr
Seattle, WA$1,280/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,581/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 Guardian RHP15042B21?: The Guardian RHP15042B21 is rated at up to 16.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 54 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-16.0.
Is the Guardian RHP15042B21 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 3.5-ton model.
How much does the Guardian RHP15042B21 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,188-$3,100 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,454 in Phoenix and $2,581 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 RHP15042B21?: ENERGY STAR lists 54 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use XAHC48FBCN1, XAHC48FXXN1+JMET16CS2N1+TXV, XAHC48FBCN1+JMET16CS2N1.
What refrigerant does the Guardian RHP15042B21 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 $1,437/yrYou save $635/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 Guardian RHP15042B21

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: $1,437
Current system, per year: $2,072
You save per year: $635
Payback: 23.6 years
Net after 10 years: -$8,653

Cooling $891Heating $546Electricity used: 8,982 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $150

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 3.5 ton models

Fujitsu FOP1542TJAYNA · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
Luxaire THF2B42T2116.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
Friedrich FWP15AY42AJ2N · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
Mainline MLP15AY42AJ2N · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
Friedrich FRP15AY42AJ2N · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
Mainline MPP15AY42AJ2N · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
DuraSTAR DRHP15B42AJ2AN · cold climate16.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2
RunTru A5HP5042A116.0 SEER2 · 8.1 HSPF2

See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of July 7, 2026. How we use the data.