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      3-ton central heat pump · AHU

      UTL UCHA-36HDCT

      Very good cooling efficiency and average heating efficiency for a 3-ton central heat pump, and certified for cold climates.

      Ranks #71 of 302 3 ton central heat pumps for cooling efficiency, and costs about $992 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      18.5 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 77%
      HSPF2
      9.0 Heating efficiency over a season
      Average · beats 54%
      EER2
      11.3 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Below average · beats 29%
      Heat at 5°F
      25,000 BTU/h73% of its 47°F output
      Very good · beats 76%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 77% of central heat pumps.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 25,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • 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

      Specifications3 ton, R-454B
      General
      BrandUTL
      Also sold asVKIN
      Outdoor unit modelUCHA-36HDCT
      SeriesAHU
      TypeCentral heat pump
      Nominal size3 ton
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceMay 18, 2025
      Last certifiedMay 29, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better18.5 (range 18.5)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors11.3
      Cooling capacity34,200 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better9.0
      Capacity at 47°F34,200 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F23,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F25,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.20
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder73% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with UCHA-36HDC at the standard test temperatures, in BTU/h:

      Certified matchups3 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.
      UCHA-36HDC · cold climate18.511.39.025,000217463591
      UCHA-36HDC · cold climate18.511.39.025,000218385958
      UCHA-36HDC · cold climate18.511.39.025,000218386312
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$870-$2,385

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the UTL UCHA-36HDCT?
      The UTL UCHA-36HDCT is rated at up to 18.5 SEER2 and 11.3 EER2 for cooling and up to 9.0 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with.
      Is the UTL UCHA-36HDCT good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 25,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.20, so it is still 2.2 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the UTL UCHA-36HDCT cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $870-$2,385 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $1,080 in Phoenix and $1,999 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 UTL UCHA-36HDCT?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated one uses UCHA-36HDC.
      What refrigerant does the UTL UCHA-36HDCT 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 $1,076/yrYou save $687/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 UTL UCHA-36HDCT
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $1,076
      Current system, per year
      $1,763
      You save per year
      $687
      Payback
      18.9 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$6,129

      Cooling $651Heating $426Electricity used: 6,727 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $276

      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 ton models

      See all 302 3 ton central heat pumps, ranked

      Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), certification of May 29, 2026. How we use the data.