What is the SEER2 rating of the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC?

The RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.

Is the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC good for cold climates?

Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 45,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.

How much does the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC cost to run per year?

At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,180-$3,485 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,500 in Phoenix and $2,947 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 RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC?

ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TCFZ6021SEAAM, SHMVZ6021SEACA.

What refrigerant does the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC 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.

3.5-ton central heat pump · VANTIX

RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC

Average cooling efficiency and below average heating efficiency for a 3.5-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

Ranks #24 of 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $1,426 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

SEER2: 18.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
Average · beats 66%
HSPF2: 8.5 Heating efficiency over a season
Below average · beats 38%
EER2: 11.7 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
Average · beats 43%
Heat at 5°F: 45,000 BTU/h94% of its 47°F output
Below average · beats 39%

A good fit if…

Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 45,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
You want steady temperatures and quiet running - the compressor varies its speed.

Think twice if…

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.

Calculate my running cost

Details

Specifications3.5 ton, R-410A

General
Brand	RUSSELL
Also sold as	Sure
Outdoor unit model	SP18AZ48AJVC
Series	VANTIX
Type	Central heat pump
Nominal size	3.5 ton
CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low power	Continuously variable
Refrigerant	R-410A
Connected (smart) capable	No
On the market since	April 13, 2023
Last certified	June 3, 2026
Cooling
SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	18.0 (range 18.0)
EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors	11.7-12.0
Cooling capacity	44,500-45,000 BTU/h
Heating
HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better	8.5
Capacity at 47°F	48,000 BTU/h
Capacity at 17°F	41,000-44,500 BTU/h
Capacity at 5°F	42,000-45,000 BTU/h
COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater	1.80-2.00
ENERGY STAR cold climate	Yes

Heating output as it gets colder94% kept at 5°F

Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with TCFZ6021SEAAM at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

Certified matchups4 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.
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	S962V0855A21M4S	18.0	11.7	8.5	45,000	210106965
TCFZ6021SEAAM · cold climate	S962V0855A21M4S	18.0	11.7	8.5	45,000	210106778
SHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate	-	18.0	12.0	8.5	42,000	210106904
SHMVZ6021SEACA · cold climate	-	18.0	12.0	8.5	42,000	210106717

Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$1,180-$3,485

Phoenix, AZ$1,500/yr
Miami, FL$1,180/yr
Houston, TX$1,347/yr
Atlanta, GA$1,426/yr
Los Angeles, CA$1,402/yr
New York, NY$3,485/yr
Chicago, IL$2,845/yr
Denver, CO$2,377/yr
Seattle, WA$1,470/yr
Minneapolis, MN$2,947/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 RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC?: The RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC is rated at up to 18.0 SEER2 and 11.7 EER2 for cooling and up to 8.5 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
Is the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC good for cold climates?: Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 45,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.00, so it is still 2.0 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
How much does the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC cost to run per year?: At its rated efficiency it costs about $1,180-$3,485 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,500 in Phoenix and $2,947 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 RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC?: ENERGY STAR lists 4 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use TCFZ6021SEAAM, SHMVZ6021SEACA.
What refrigerant does the RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC 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 $1,512/yrYou save $857/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 RUSSELL SP18AZ48AJVC

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: $1,512
Current system, per year: $2,369
You save per year: $857
Payback: 19.8 years
Net after 10 years: -$8,431

Cooling $880Heating $632Electricity used: 9,453 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $312

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 3.5 ton models

Lennox EL18KSLV-060-230A · cold climate18.3 SEER2 · 9.6 HSPF2
York HH860E2S12 · cold climate18.0 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
GE Appliances NS18H60HA5 · cold climate18.3 SEER2 · 9.6 HSPF2
MDV MOX630-48HFN10-M3X · cold climate17.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Bosch BOVA-60RTB-M20S · cold climate18.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Midea MO1HE-H48B-2A · cold climate17.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2
Rheem RP18AZ48AJVC · cold climate19.0 SEER2 · 8.5 HSPF2
MRCOOL UHP18048-O · cold climate17.5 SEER2 · 9.5 HSPF2

See all 138 3.5 ton central heat pumps, ranked

Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of June 3, 2026. How we use the data.