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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · Climapure XZ

      Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC

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

      Ranks #192 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $397 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      22.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 48%
      HSPF2
      11.7 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 87%
      EER2
      13.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 77%
      Heat at 5°F
      17,800 BTU/h103% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 82%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 17,800 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 87% 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
      BrandPanasonic
      Outdoor unit modelCU-XZ18AKUAC
      SeriesClimapure XZ
      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 sinceSeptember 25, 2024
      Last certifiedApril 17, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.0 (range 22.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors13.7
      Cooling capacity17,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.7
      Capacity at 47°F17,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F21,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F17,800 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.22
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder103% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with CS-XZ18AKUAW at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups2 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.
      CS-XZ18AKUAW PANASONIC · cold climate22.013.711.717,800214837755
      CS-Z18AKUAW PANASONIC · cold climate22.013.711.717,800215387074
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$367-$939

      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-XZ18AKUAC?
      The Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC is rated at up to 22.0 SEER2 and 13.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.7 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 17,800 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.22, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $367-$939 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $446 in Phoenix and $780 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-XZ18AKUAC?
      ENERGY STAR lists 2 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use PANASONIC CS-XZ18AKUAW, PANASONIC CS-Z18AKUAW.
      What refrigerant does the Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC 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 $440/yrYou save $447/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 Panasonic CU-XZ18AKUAC
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $440
      Current system, per year
      $887
      You save per year
      $447
      Payback
      14.5 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,030

      Cooling $275Heating $165Electricity used: 2,749 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $240

      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 April 17, 2026. How we use the data.