Carrier heat pump

27VPA948A*030*

Ducted split systemVariable-speed (inverter)ENERGY STAR cold-climateENERGY STAR Most Efficient (some pairings)

The Carrier 27VPA948A*030* is a ducted split system heat pump outdoor unit with a rated cooling capacity of 49,500 BTU/h (about 4 tons) and a variable-speed (inverter) compressor running on R-454B refrigerant. ENERGY STAR lists 534 certified indoor-unit pairings for it. In cold weather it still delivers 41,500 BTU/h at 5°F — 75% of its 47°F output, close to the 76% median across the 308 models we track (better than 49% of them). Its HSPF2 of 10 is higher than 77% of models in our database, and its best certified SEER2 of 19 beats 67%.

Our take in 30 seconds

Best for: mixed climates with occasional hard freezes

Strengths

  • Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10) beats 77% of models
  • Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
  • Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
  • Also sold under 16 other badges, so you can compare more quotes for the same unit

Good to know

  • Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 15.2–19, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Est. yearly cost
$2,249
U.S. average rates
SEER2
15.2–19
Cooling efficiency
HSPF2
10
Top 23% heating efficiency
Heat kept at 5°F
75%
Median is 76%
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Running-cost calculator

Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any field
Estimated annual cost
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Heating
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Cooling
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Uses the base certified SEER2 (15.2) and HSPF2 (10). 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 Carrier 27VPA948A*030* at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 49,500 BTU/h for reference).

47°F
55,000 BTU/h
17°F
47,000 BTU/h
5°F
41,500 BTU/h

Retention at 17°F: 85% · at 5°F: 75%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.

Estimated running cost in every state

Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,334 a year in Louisiana to $5,010 in Maine, driven by local electricity prices and how much heating or cooling the climate needs. Click a column to sort.

StatePriceHeatingCoolingTotal / yr
Louisiana12.87¢$495$838$1,334
Washington14.63¢$1,368$167$1,535
Florida14.99¢$371$1,172$1,543
Mississippi14.43¢$714$846$1,560
Nevada12.72¢$840$746$1,585
Tennessee13.42¢$1,033$568$1,601
Oregon15.92¢$1,401$233$1,634
Arizona15.05¢$579$1,078$1,658
North Carolina14.95¢$1,069$633$1,702
Kentucky13.80¢$1,214$494$1,709
Arkansas14.37¢$1,027$702$1,729
South Carolina15.76¢$953$821$1,775
Utah13.31¢$1,391$390$1,781
Georgia15.90¢$962$828$1,790
Texas15.91¢$788$1,036$1,824
Alabama16.33¢$988$851$1,839
Idaho13.37¢$1,544$305$1,849
Oklahoma14.82¢$1,141$724$1,865
New Mexico16.51¢$1,362$538$1,900
Nebraska13.54¢$1,564$397$1,961
West Virginia16.31¢$1,615$425$2,040
Missouri16.02¢$1,498$574$2,072
Kansas15.47¢$1,532$554$2,086
Virginia17.64¢$1,455$632$2,087
Wyoming14.43¢$1,984$235$2,219
Colorado17.17¢$1,889$391$2,280
North Dakota13.31¢$2,123$195$2,318
Indiana17.02¢$1,872$471$2,343
Delaware18.70¢$1,748$609$2,357
Montana15.57¢$2,141$228$2,369
South Dakota15.15¢$2,083$321$2,404
California29.75¢$1,473$969$2,441
Iowa17.06¢$2,158$417$2,575
Ohio19.38¢$2,132$505$2,637
Maryland21.40¢$2,001$697$2,698
Illinois19.32¢$2,231$503$2,735
Minnesota17.20¢$2,554$308$2,862
Pennsylvania21.77¢$2,395$567$2,962
Wisconsin19.41¢$2,669$379$3,048
New Jersey24.61¢$2,436$721$3,158
District of Columbia25.98¢$2,286$931$3,217
Michigan22.99¢$3,035$449$3,484
Connecticut24.51¢$2,966$519$3,485
Vermont23.84¢$3,409$349$3,758
Rhode Island28.18¢$3,410$551$3,960
New York28.65¢$3,467$606$4,073
Hawaii47.18¢$130$3,995$4,125
New Hampshire27.64¢$3,800$450$4,251
Massachusetts30.48¢$3,856$596$4,451
Alaska29.41¢$4,853$96$4,948
Maine32.11¢$4,592$418$5,010
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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.

  • Bryant 249VAN048**AA*
  • ACiQ N5H9V48*K*AAA*
  • Airquest N5H9V48*K*AAA*
  • Arcoaire N5H9V48*K*AAA*

Plus 12 more identical listings in the ENERGY STAR database.

Similar-size alternatives

Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Carrier 27VPA948A*030* at U.S.-average rates.

ModelCooling BTU/hSEER2HSPF25°F keptEst. yearly cost
Ruud UP19AY48AJVC45,50018–191092%$1,827 (−$422)Compare
Gree GUD60W2/NHE-D(U)53,00016–1910.5100%$2,156 (−$93)Compare
Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA*46,50020–239.576%$1,963 (−$285)Compare
Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA*46,50019.5–239.572%$2,113 (−$136)Compare
Rheem RD18AY48AJVC43,50016–191088%$1,793 (−$456)Compare
Rheem RD18AY60AJVC52,00016–181066%$2,393 (+$144)Compare

Full specifications

BrandCarrier
Outdoor model27VPA948A*030*
Certified byCarrier Corporation
Product typeDucted split system
CompressorVariable-speed (inverter)
RefrigerantR-454B
Cooling capacity49,500 BTU/h
Nominal size4 tons
SEER2 (certified range)15.2 – 19
EER2 (best)13.5
HSPF2 (best)10
Heating capacity @ 47°F55,000 BTU/h
Heating capacity @ 17°F47,000 BTU/h
Heating capacity @ 5°F41,500 BTU/h
COP @ 5°F2.32
ENERGY STAR cold-climateYes
Certified indoor pairings534
Latest certification2026-09

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 Carrier 27VPA948A*030* 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 $2,249 per year ($1,598 heating, $651 cooling). It ranges from about $1,334 in Louisiana to $5,010 in Maine.

Does the Carrier 27VPA948A*030* work in cold weather?

Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 41,500 BTU/h at 5°F, 75% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2.32 at 5°F.

What size is the Carrier 27VPA948A*030*?

It is rated at 49,500 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4 tons, and 55,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.

Is the Carrier 27VPA948A*030* the same as the Bryant 249VAN048**AA*?

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.

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