What is the SEER2 rating of the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3?

The Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 is rated at up to 24.6 SEER2 and 13.4 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 18 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 21.3-24.6.

Is the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 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 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $462-$1,481 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $604 in Phoenix and $1,263 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.

What refrigerant does the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 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.

24,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MG-series

Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3

Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 24,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #40 of 430 24,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $596 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 24.6 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 80%
HSPF2: 10.0 Heating efficiency over a season
Average · beats 43%
EER2: 13.4 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 72%
Heat at 5°F: 18,500 BTU/h74% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 27%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 80% of mini-splits.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,500 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.
You want a choice of indoor units - 18 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications24,000 BTU, R-410A

General
Brand	Midea
Also sold as	WeatherMaker, Carrier, Bryant, Payne
Outdoor unit model	38MGHBQ24CA3
Series	38MG-series
Type	Mini-split heat pump
Nominal size	24,000 BTU
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	January 1, 2018
Last certified	June 23, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	24.6 (range 21.3-24.6)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	12.5-13.4
Cooling capacity	24,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.7-10.0
Capacity at 47°F	24,000-25,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	20,400-21,600 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	18,000-18,500 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.90
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder74% 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 matchups18 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 unit	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
- CARRIER · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642879
- BRYANT · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642900
- PAYNE · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642921
- Weathermaker · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642942
- MIDEA · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642963
- MIDEA · cold climate	24.6	13.4	10.0	18,500	207642963
- PAYNE · cold climate	23.0	13.0	9.9	18,200	207642923
- Weathermaker · cold climate	23.0	13.0	9.9	18,200	207642944
- BRYANT · cold climate	23.0	13.0	9.9	18,200	207642902
- CARRIER · cold climate	23.0	13.0	9.9	18,200	207642881
- MIDEA · cold climate	23.0	13.0	9.9	18,200	207642965
- CARRIER · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642880
- BRYANT · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642901
- PAYNE · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642922
- Weathermaker · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642943
- Weathermaker · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642943
- MIDEA · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642964
- MIDEA · cold climate	21.3	12.5	9.7	18,000	207642964

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$462-$1,481

Phoenix, AZ$604/yr
Miami, FL$462/yr
Houston, TX$543/yr
Atlanta, GA$596/yr
Los Angeles, CA$590/yr
New York, NY$1,481/yr
Chicago, IL$1,213/yr
Denver, CO$1,018/yr
Seattle, WA$632/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,263/yr

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

Questions4

What is the SEER2 rating of the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3?: The Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 is rated at up to 24.6 SEER2 and 13.4 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 18 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 21.3-24.6.
Is the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 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 1.90, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $462-$1,481 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $604 in Phoenix and $1,263 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
What refrigerant does the Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3 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 $617/yrYou save $627/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 Midea 38MGHBQ24CA3

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: $617
Current system, per year: $1,244
You save per year: $627
Payback: 14.3 years
Net after 10 years: -$2,726

Cooling $343Heating $273Electricity used: 3,854 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $338

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 24,000 BTU models

MDV M3OJ-24HFN1-M · cold climate24.6 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Lennox MPC024S4M-1P · cold climate24.6 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Panasonic CU-3Z22ABUC · cold climate24.5 SEER2 · 10.7 HSPF2
Armstrong Air 4DHP2S24M-1P · cold climate24.6 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
TOSHIBA CARRIER RAV-BP241AT2P-UL · cold climate24.2 SEER2 · 11.1 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A24NHA824.7 SEER2 · 9.3 HSPF2
Fujitsu AOUH24KZAH1 · cold climate24.0 SEER2 · 11.9 HSPF2
Mitsubishi Electric PUZ-A24NHA724.7 SEER2 · 9.3 HSPF2

See all 430 24,000 BTU mini-splits, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 23, 2026. How we use the data.