Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
- Also sold under 1 other badge, so you can compare more quotes for the same unit
Good to know
- Only 50% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 8) is in the lower third of models
- Single-stage compressor runs on/off at full power, so it is less smooth than inverter models
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (15.2) and HSPF2 (8). Assumes the unit is correctly sized. How we calculate.
Heating capacity as it gets colder
A heat pump's output falls as outdoor temperature drops. This is the certified heat output of the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA* at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,800 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 63% · at 5°F: 50%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,031 a year in Louisiana to $4,089 in Maine, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.
| State | Price | Heating | Cooling | Total / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 12.87¢ | $408 | $623 | $1,031 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $305 | $871 | $1,176 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $588 | $629 | $1,217 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $691 | $554 | $1,245 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,125 | $124 | $1,249 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $850 | $422 | $1,273 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $477 | $802 | $1,278 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,153 | $173 | $1,326 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $879 | $471 | $1,350 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $999 | $368 | $1,367 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $845 | $522 | $1,367 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $784 | $610 | $1,395 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $791 | $616 | $1,407 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $648 | $770 | $1,418 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,144 | $290 | $1,434 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $813 | $633 | $1,445 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $939 | $538 | $1,477 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,270 | $227 | $1,497 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,121 | $400 | $1,520 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,287 | $295 | $1,582 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,328 | $316 | $1,644 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,232 | $427 | $1,659 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,197 | $470 | $1,667 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,260 | $412 | $1,672 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,632 | $175 | $1,807 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,554 | $291 | $1,845 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,540 | $350 | $1,891 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,438 | $453 | $1,891 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,747 | $145 | $1,892 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,761 | $170 | $1,931 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,212 | $720 | $1,932 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,714 | $238 | $1,952 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,776 | $310 | $2,085 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,754 | $375 | $2,129 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,646 | $518 | $2,164 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,836 | $374 | $2,210 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,101 | $229 | $2,330 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,970 | $422 | $2,392 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,196 | $282 | $2,478 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,004 | $536 | $2,541 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,881 | $692 | $2,573 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,440 | $386 | $2,826 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,497 | $334 | $2,831 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,805 | $260 | $3,065 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $107 | $2,970 | $3,077 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,805 | $409 | $3,215 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,852 | $451 | $3,303 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3,127 | $335 | $3,461 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,172 | $443 | $3,615 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,992 | $71 | $4,064 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,778 | $311 | $4,089 |
Same equipment sold under other brands
These listings share the same certifying manufacturer (Carrier Corporation) and identical certified capacities and efficiency ratings, so they are almost certainly the same hardware with a different badge. If you get quotes for any of them, you are comparing installation price and warranty, not equipment. How rebadging works.
- ACiQ R5H5S36*K*AAA*
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA* at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY36AJVC | 34,200 | 19–21 | 10 | 87% | $1,353 (−$445) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3 | 36,000 | 15.8–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,527 (−$271) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (−$400) | Compare |
| Panasonic CU-HM36BAHU | 36,000 | 15.6–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,533 (−$265) | Compare |
| MrCool CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230B00-O | 36,000 | 15.2–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (−$253) | Compare |
| Midea MO1SE-H36B-2A | 36,000 | 15.2–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (−$253) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | ACiQ |
| Outdoor model | N5H5S36*K*AAA* |
| Certified by | Carrier Corporation |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Single-stage |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 36,800 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 3 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.2 – 15.5 |
| EER2 (best) | 13 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 36,200 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 22,800 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 18,100 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 26 |
| Latest certification | 2026-06 |
Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Heat Pumps (U.S. EPA), retrieved November 7, 2026. Capacities and HSPF2 are the highest values across certified pairings; confirm your exact system's AHRI reference number with your installer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA* cost to run per year?
At the U.S. average residential electricity price of 18.16¢/kWh and typical national heating and cooling hours, we estimate about $1,798 per year ($1,315 heating, $484 cooling). It ranges from about $1,031 in Louisiana to $4,089 in Maine.
Does the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA* work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 18,100 BTU/h at 5°F (50% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.
What size is the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA*?
It is rated at 36,800 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 36,200 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the ACiQ N5H5S36*K*AAA* the same as the ACiQ R5H5S36*K*AAA*?
Very likely. Both are certified by Carrier Corporation with identical capacities and efficiency ratings in the ENERGY STAR database, which indicates the same equipment sold under different brands.