48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Lennox Real
Lennox VPC048H5M-3P
Below average cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 48,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.
Ranks #82 of 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,286 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.
- SEER2
- 20.0 Cooling efficiency over a seasonBelow average · beats 18%
- HSPF2
- 10.1 Heating efficiency over a seasonAverage · beats 51%
- EER2
- 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F dayBelow average · beats 16%
- Heat at 5°F
- 40,000 BTU/h80% of its 47°F outputAverage · beats 48%
A good fit if…
- Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 40,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
- You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
Think twice if…
- Cooling cost matters most - its SEER2 is below average for mini-splits.
Details
Specifications
| General | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Lennox |
| Outdoor unit model | VPC048H5M-3P |
| Series | Lennox Real |
| Type | Mini-split heat pump |
| Nominal size | 48,000 BTU |
| CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power | Continuously variable |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Connected (smart) capable | No |
| On the market since | November 20, 2024 |
| Last certified | April 17, 2026 |
| Cooling | |
| SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 20.0 (range 17.6-20.0) |
| EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors | 11.7 |
| Cooling capacity | 47,000-48,000 BTU/h |
| Heating | |
| HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better | 10.0-10.1 |
| Capacity at 47°F | 50,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 17°F | 35,000 BTU/h |
| Capacity at 5°F | 35,000-40,000 BTU/h |
| COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater | 2.00 |
| 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 best matchup at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:
Certified matchups
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. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 20.0 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 40,000 | 216369729 |
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 20.0 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 40,000 | 217197064 |
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 18.8 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 37,600 | 216369735 |
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 18.8 | 11.7 | 10.1 | 37,600 | 217197070 |
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 17.6 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 216369723 |
| - LENNOX · cold climate | 17.6 | 11.7 | 10.0 | 35,000 | 217197058 |
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities
- Phoenix, AZ$1,393/yr
- Miami, FL$1,118/yr
- Houston, TX$1,249/yr
- Atlanta, GA$1,286/yr
- Los Angeles, CA$1,256/yr
- New York, NY$3,100/yr
- Chicago, IL$2,522/yr
- Denver, CO$2,101/yr
- Seattle, WA$1,294/yr
- Minneapolis, MN$2,602/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 Lennox VPC048H5M-3P?
- The Lennox VPC048H5M-3P is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 6 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.6-20.0.
- Is the Lennox VPC048H5M-3P good for cold climates?
- Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 40,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
- How much does the Lennox VPC048H5M-3P cost to run per year?
- At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,118-$3,100 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,393 in Phoenix and $2,602 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
- What refrigerant does the Lennox VPC048H5M-3P use?
- It uses R-454B.
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 146 48,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of April 17, 2026. How we use the data.