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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · KUSAL181A

      LG KUSAL181A

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

      Ranks #76 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $472 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      HSPF2
      11.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      EER2
      14.4 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 87%
      Heat at 5°F
      21,600 BTU/h100% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 27%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 21,600 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

      • Nothing stands out - its ratings have no weak spot for its class.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-32
      General
      BrandLG
      Outdoor unit modelKUSAL181A
      SeriesKUSAL181A
      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 sinceOctober 10, 2024
      Last certifiedMarch 4, 2025
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.0 (range 24.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors14.4
      Cooling capacity18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.0
      Capacity at 47°F21,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F13,100 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F21,600 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.90
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder100% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with KNSAL181A at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups1 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.
      KNSAL181A · cold climate24.014.411.021,600215828275
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$356-$1,183

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the LG KUSAL181A?
      The LG KUSAL181A is rated at up to 24.0 SEER2 and 14.4 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the LG KUSAL181A good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 21,600 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the LG KUSAL181A cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $356-$1,183 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $471 in Phoenix and $1,013 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 LG KUSAL181A?
      ENERGY STAR lists 1 certified combination for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses KNSAL181A.
      What refrigerant does the LG KUSAL181A 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 $484/yrYou save $503/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 KUSAL181A
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $484
      Current system, per year
      $987
      You save per year
      $503
      Payback
      13.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$1,969

      Cooling $264Heating $220Electricity used: 3,025 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $282

      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 18,000 BTU models

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      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of March 4, 2025. How we use the data.