HVAC Rated

3-ton central heat pump · MHP17 SERIES

MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A

Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, but not rated for cold climates.

Ranks #192 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,108 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2
16.6 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 42%
HSPF2
8.1 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 20%
EER2
13.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Excellent · beats 95%
Heat at 5°F
17,600 BTU/h53% of its 47°F output
Very good · beats 81%

A good fit if…

  • You want a choice of indoor units - 13 certified pairings.

Think twice if…

  • You often see nights below 0°F - it is not cold-climate certified.
  • You mainly need heat - its HSPF2 is below average for central heat pumps.
  • You want the newest refrigerant - it uses R-410A, which is being phased down.
  • Comfort and noise matter - a single-stage compressor runs only full-on or off.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3 ton, R-410A
General
BrandMRCOOL
Outdoor unit modelMHP17036A-**A
SeriesMHP17 SERIES
TypeCentral heat pump
Nominal size3 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerSingle stage
RefrigerantR-410A
Connected (smart) capableNo
On the market sinceOctober 25, 2022
Last certifiedOctober 27, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better16.6 (range 15.6-16.6)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.2-13.5
Cooling capacity35,400-36,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better7.8-8.1
Capacity at 47°F32,800-34,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F21,600-22,400 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F16,800-17,600 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.08-2.24
ENERGY STAR cold climateNo
Heating output as it gets colder53% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXV at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups13 indoor units

The same outdoor unit scores differently with each indoor unit and furnace. Ask your installer for the AHRI reference number of the exact system you are quoted.

Indoor unitFurnaceSEER2EER2HSPF2Heat @5°FAHRI ref.
MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM80SE090C5A16.613.58.017,400211736684
MCVP36BNPA+TDR+TXVMGM80SE090B4A16.613.57.816,800210441078
MCVP36ANPA+TDR+TXVMGM80SE090B4A16.613.57.816,800210326081
MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM80SE110C5A16.413.08.117,400211736701
MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM96SE110C5XA16.413.08.017,500211736795
MCHP48BNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM80SE090B4A16.213.08.017,200211736412
MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM96SE090C4XA16.213.08.017,500211736779
MCVP36ANPA+TDR+TXVMGM80SE045A3A16.013.07.817,000210326063
MCVP36ANPA+TDR+TXVMGM80SE070B3A16.013.07.817,200210326065
MCVP36BNPA+TDR+TXVMGM96SE070B3XA15.812.57.817,000210441079
MCVP36ANPA+TDR+TXVMGM96SE070B3XA15.812.57.817,000210326067
MAHM042CTA-15.612.28.117,600211174412
MCHP48BNPA*+TDR+TXVMGM96SE070B3XA15.612.57.817,400211736487
Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,007-$2,635

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

Questions5
What is the SEER2 rating of the MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A?
The MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A is rated at up to 16.6 SEER2 and 13.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.1 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 13 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.6-16.6.
Is the MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A 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 3-ton model.
How much does the MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A cost to run per year?
At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,007-$2,635 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,233 in Phoenix and $2,195 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 MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A?
ENERGY STAR lists 13 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use MCHP51CNPA*+TDR+TXV, MCVP36BNPA+TDR+TXV, MCVP36ANPA+TDR+TXV.
What refrigerant does the MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A 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 $1,219/yrYou save $583/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 MRCOOL MHP17036A-**A
3. What it replaces
4. Price replace the example with your quote
Heat pump, per year
$1,219
Current system, per year
$1,803
You save per year
$583
Payback
23.1 years
Net after 10 years
-$7,666

Cooling $755Heating $465Electricity used: 7,622 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $159

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 October 27, 2025. How we use the data.