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      30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 38MH-series

      Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3

      Below average cooling and heating efficiency for a 30,000 BTU mini-split heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

      Ranks #107 of 171 30,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $851 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      21.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 30%
      HSPF2
      8.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Below average · beats 5%
      EER2
      12.2 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 33%
      Heat at 5°F
      20,000 BTU/h67% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 20%

      A good fit if…

      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      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 mini-splits.
      • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for mini-splits.
      • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications30,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandMidea
      Also sold asWeatherMaker, Payne, Bryant, Carrier
      Outdoor unit model38MHRCQ30AA3
      Series38MH-series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size30,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2018
      Last certifiedJune 13, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better21.0 (range 21.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.2
      Cooling capacity30,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better8.7
      Capacity at 47°F30,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F20,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F20,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.85
      ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
      Heating output as it gets colder67% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 40MHHAQ30XA3 at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups5 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.
      40MHHAQ30XA3 MIDEA21.012.28.720,000210605778
      40MHHAQ30XA3 Weathermaker21.012.28.720,000210605776
      40MHHAQ30XA3 PAYNE21.012.28.720,000210605774
      40MHHAQ30XA3 BRYANT21.012.28.720,000210605772
      40MHHAQ30XA3 CARRIER21.012.28.720,000210605770
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$676-$2,105

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3?
      The Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3 is rated at up to 21.0 SEER2 and 12.2 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3 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 30,000 BTU model.
      How much does the Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3 cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $676-$2,105 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $874 in Phoenix and $1,790 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 Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3?
      ENERGY STAR lists 5 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MIDEA 40MHHAQ30XA3, Weathermaker 40MHHAQ30XA3, PAYNE 40MHHAQ30XA3.
      What refrigerant does the Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3 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 $889/yrYou save $658/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 Midea 38MHRCQ30AA3
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $889
      Current system, per year
      $1,547
      You save per year
      $658
      Payback
      17.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$4,922

      Cooling $503Heating $386Electricity used: 5,557 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $297

      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 June 13, 2026. How we use the data.