What is the SEER2 rating of the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU?

The Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 15 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-19.0.

Is the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.06, so it is still 2.1 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $446-$1,228 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $555 in Phoenix and $1,030 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 Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU?

ENERGY STAR lists 15 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CS-HM18BAHU, CS-HM24BAAU2, CS-HM24BAAU1.

1.5-ton central heat pump · CU Series

Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU

Very good cooling and heating efficiency for a 1.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #34 of 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $510 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 19.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 85%
HSPF2: 9.7 Heating efficiency over a season
Very good · beats 77%
EER2: 12.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Very good · beats 80%
Heat at 5°F: 18,000 BTU/h95% of its 47°F output
Average · beats 51%

A good fit if…

You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 85% of central heat pumps.
Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 77% of central heat pumps.
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

Specifications1.5 ton, R-454B

General
Brand	Panasonic
Outdoor unit model	CU-HM18BAHU
Series	CU Series
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	1.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-454B
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	November 30, 2024
Last certified	October 27, 2025
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	19.0 (range 15.2-19.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.3-12.5
Cooling capacity	18,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	9.0-9.7
Capacity at 47°F	19,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	13,000-15,200 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	18,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.75-2.06
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder95% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CS-HM18BAHU at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups15 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 unit	Furnace	SEER2	EER2	HSPF2	Heat @5°F	AHRI ref.
CS-HM18BAHU · cold climate	-	19.0	12.5	9.7	18,000	216505879
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B040U3VS***	18.0	11.7	9.1	18,000	217900410
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B080U4VS***	17.4	11.4	9.4	18,000	217900414
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B080D4VS***	17.4	11.4	9.2	18,000	217900413
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B060U4VS***	17.4	11.4	9.0	18,000	217900412
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B040D3VS***	17.3	11.4	9.3	18,000	217900409
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9V2B060D3VS***	17.3	11.6	9.1	18,000	217900411
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X1B040D3PSB**	16.6	11.3	9.5	18,000	217900417
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X2B040D3PSB**	16.6	11.3	9.5	18,000	217900531
CS-HM24BAAU1 · cold climate	-	16.1	11.7	9.5	18,000	216621494
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	-	16.1	11.7	9.5	18,000	216621495
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X1B040U3PSB**	15.3	11.3	9.3	18,000	217900418
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X2B040U3PSB**	15.3	11.3	9.3	18,000	217900532
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X1B060D3PSB**	15.2	11.4	9.3	18,000	217900419
CS-HM24BAAU2 · cold climate	S9X2B060D3PSB**	15.2	11.4	9.3	18,000	217900533

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$446-$1,228

Phoenix, AZ$555/yr
Miami, FL$446/yr
Houston, TX$497/yr
Atlanta, GA$510/yr
Los Angeles, CA$498/yr
New York, NY$1,228/yr
Chicago, IL$999/yr
Denver, CO$832/yr
Seattle, WA$512/yr
Minneapolis, MN$1,030/yr

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

Questions5

What is the SEER2 rating of the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU?: The Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU is rated at up to 19.0 SEER2 and 12.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 15 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 15.2-19.0.
Is the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.06, so it is still 2.1 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $446-$1,228 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $555 in Phoenix and $1,030 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 Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU?: ENERGY STAR lists 15 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use CS-HM18BAHU, CS-HM24BAAU2, CS-HM24BAAU1.
What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU use?: It uses R-454B.

Running cost and savings

Pre-filled with this model. Pick your city and what you heat with today; everything else is optional.

Heat pump $553/yrYou save $392/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 Panasonic CU-HM18BAHU

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: $553
Current system, per year: $944
You save per year: $392
Payback: 17.9 years
Net after 10 years: -$3,084

Cooling $333Heating $219Electricity used: 3,455 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $174

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 1.5 ton models

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CanAir 4CDH2018C21 · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 9.7 HSPF2
Daikin DH6VSA1810A · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 8.8 HSPF2
Friedrich RD18AY24AJVC · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 10.0 HSPF2
Goodman GZV6SA1810A · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 8.8 HSPF2
NOVAIR LEA18CEN36-O · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 10.1 HSPF2
MDV MOD30U-30HFN1-MR019.0 SEER2 · 8.2 HSPF2

See all 170 1.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of October 27, 2025. How we use the data.