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      18,000 BTU mini-split heat pump · ZMSB Series

      ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O

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

      Ranks #74 of 465 18,000 BTU mini-splits for cooling efficiency, and costs about $409 a year to run in a mixed climate like Atlanta.

      SEER2
      24.0 Cooling efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 75%
      HSPF2
      11.4 Heating efficiency over a season
      Very good · beats 82%
      EER2
      13.5 Cooling efficiency on a 95°F day
      Very good · beats 74%
      Heat at 5°F
      13,000 BTU/h72% of its 47°F output
      Excellent · beats 90%

      A good fit if…

      • You want low cooling bills - its SEER2 beats 75% of mini-splits.
      • Your winters get properly cold - it is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified, with 13,000 BTU/h at 5°F.
      • It will heat most of the year - its HSPF2 beats 82% 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-454B
      General
      BrandZERO
      Outdoor unit modelZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O
      SeriesZMSB Series
      TypeMini-split heat pump
      Nominal size18,000 BTU
      CompressorVariable-speed units run longer at low powerContinuously variable
      RefrigerantR-454B
      Connected (smart) capableNo
      On the market sinceNovember 11, 2024
      Last certifiedMay 12, 2026
      Cooling
      SEER2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better24.0 (range 20.7-24.0)
      EER2Efficiency at 95°F outdoors12.5-13.5
      Cooling capacity16,800-18,000 BTU/h
      Heating
      HSPF2Seasonal efficiency, higher is better11.1-11.4
      Capacity at 47°F18,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 17°F13,900-15,000 BTU/h
      Capacity at 5°F12,800-13,000 BTU/h
      COP at 5°F2.0 = twice as efficient as a space heater2.20-2.35
      ENERGY STAR cold climateYes
      Heating output as it gets colder72% kept at 5°F

      Every heat pump delivers less heat as the outdoor temperature drops. Certified output of its matchup with ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-I 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.
      ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-I · cold climate24.013.511.113,000216097681
      ZWAVAG-18HDMB-US · cold climate24.013.511.113,000218043728
      ZCRV-18HDMB-US · cold climate20.712.511.412,800218001475
      Yearly running cost in 10 large cities$353-$987

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

      Questions5
      What is the SEER2 rating of the ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O?
      The ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O is rated at up to 24.0 SEER2 and 13.5 EER2 for cooling and up to 11.4 HSPF2 for heating. The exact figure depends on the indoor unit it is paired with; across its 3 certified matchups SEER2 ranges from 20.7-24.0.
      Is the ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O good for cold climates?
      Yes. At least one certified matchup meets the ENERGY STAR cold-climate criteria, delivering up to 13,000 BTU/h at 5°F with a COP of 2.35, so it is still 2.4 times as efficient as electric resistance heat at that temperature.
      How much does the ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O cost to run per year?
      At its rated efficiency it costs about $353-$987 a year in electricity in large U.S. cities, depending on climate and local rates - for example $441 in Phoenix and $829 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 ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O?
      ENERGY STAR lists 3 certified combinations for this outdoor unit. The highest-rated ones use ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-I, ZWAVAG-18HDMB-US, ZCRV-18HDMB-US.
      What refrigerant does the ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O 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 $441/yrYou save $487/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 ZERO ZMSB-18HV-USHHR2-O
      3. What it replaces
      4. Price replace the example with your quote
      Heat pump, per year
      $441
      Current system, per year
      $928
      You save per year
      $487
      Payback
      14.4 years
      Net after 10 years
      -$2,127

      Cooling $264Heating $177Electricity used: 2,755 kWhSaved vs. a minimum-efficiency heat pump: $271

      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 May 12, 2026. How we use the data.