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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · KUMXA181A

      LG KUMXA181A

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

      Ranks #403 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $545 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      20.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 18%
      HSPF2
      9.8 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 33%
      EER2
      13.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 74%
      Heat at 5°F
      19,800 BTU/h90% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 19,800 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.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandLG
      Outdoor unit modelKUMXA181A
      SeriesKUMXA181A
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-32
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceDecember 9, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better20.0 (range 17.0-20.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.0-13.5
      Cooling capacity17,200-18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0-9.8
      Capacity at 47°F22,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F13,500-13,900 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F19,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.85
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder90% kept at 5°F

      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 matchups3 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.
      - · cold climate20.013.59.819,800214848473
      - · cold climate18.512.89.419,800214848479
      - · cold climate17.012.09.019,800214848474
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$417-$1,358

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

      Questions4
      What is the SEER2 rating of the LG KUMXA181A?
      The LG KUMXA181A is rated at up to 20.0 SEER2 and 13.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.8 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 17.0-20.0.
      Is the LG KUMXA181A good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 19,800 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.85, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the LG KUMXA181A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $417-$1,358 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $548 in Phoenix and $1,161 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      What refrigerant does the LG KUMXA181A use?
      It uses 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 $561/yrYou save $418/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 LG KUMXA181A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $561
      Current system, per year
      $979
      You save per year
      $418
      Payback
      15.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,317

      Cooling $310Heating $251Electricity used: 3,507 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $201

      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 March 4, 2025. How we use the data.