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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · 3PAM

      PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO

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

      Ranks #206 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $433 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      22.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 48%
      HSPF2
      10.6 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 65%
      EER2
      13.0 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Average · beats 62%
      Heat at 5°F
      17,700 BTU/h96% of its 47°F output
      Below average · beats 22%

      A good fit if…

      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 17,700 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

      Think twice if…

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

      Calculate my running cost

      Details

      Specifications18,000 BTU, R-410A
      General
      BrandPerfectAire
      Also sold asKARDA, LBG Products
      Outdoor unit model3PAMSHH18-SZO
      Series3PAM
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-410A
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceJanuary 1, 2022
      Last certifiedJune 13, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better22.0 (range 18.0-22.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.7-13.0
      Cooling capacity16,000-18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.5-10.6
      Capacity at 47°F17,000-19,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F11,100-15,600 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F16,000-17,700 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater1.75-1.89
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder96% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with 3PAMSHH18-UVW at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups7 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.
      3PAMSHH18-UVW PERFECTAIRE · cold climate22.013.010.617,200208815368
      3KARDA18UVW KARDA · cold climate22.013.010.617,200217893989
      3KARDA18UVW PERFECTAIRE · cold climate22.013.010.617,200217893990
      3PAMSFCH18 PERFECTAIRE · cold climate20.512.59.816,800207796634
      3PAMSFCH18 PERFECTAIRE · cold climate20.512.59.816,800207796634
      3PAMSCH18 PERFECTAIRE · cold climate20.012.59.516,000207796632
      3PAMSDH18 PERFECTAIRE · cold climate18.011.79.517,700207796633
      Same unit, other model numbers1

      These model numbers have exactly the same certified ratings and matchups as the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO: the same equipment under another brand, or a variant code for voltage, colour or market. Everything on this page applies to them.

      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$364-$1,053

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

      Questions6
      What is the SEER2 rating of the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO?
      The PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO is rated at up to 22.0 SEER2 and 13.0 EER2 for cooling and up to 10.6 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 7 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 18.0-22.0.
      Is the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 17,700 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 1.89, so it is still 1.9 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $364-$1,053 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $460 in Phoenix and $888 in Minneapolis. The calculator on this page works it out for your city and compares it with your current system.
      Is the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO the same as the LBG Products LBHB18DVWO?
      Yes, as far as the certified ratings go. ENERGY STAR lists both model numbers with identical efficiency, capacity and matchups, which means the same outdoor unit sold under a different brand or with a minor variant code (voltage, colour or region). The full list is on this page.
      Which indoor units work with the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO?
      ENERGY STAR lists 7 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use PERFECTAIRE 3PAMSHH18-UVW, KARDA 3KARDA18UVW, PERFECTAIRE 3KARDA18UVW.
      What refrigerant does the PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO 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 $462/yrYou save $431/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 PerfectAire 3PAMSHH18-SZO
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $462
      Current system, per year
      $893
      You save per year
      $431
      Payback
      15.1 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,193

      Cooling $272Heating $190Electricity used: 2,889 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $225

      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.