Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: cold and very cold climatesStrengths
- Keeps 100% of its heat at 5°F, so backup heat rarely runs
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10) beats 77% of models
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 21, better than 76% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
Good to know
- No notable drawbacks in the certified data.
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (19) 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 Hisense AUW-18U3TJ1 at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 18,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 78% · at 5°F: 100%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $406 a year in Louisiana to $1,624 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¢ | $162 | $244 | $406 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $121 | $341 | $462 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $234 | $246 | $480 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $275 | $217 | $492 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $448 | $49 | $496 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $190 | $314 | $503 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $338 | $165 | $503 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $458 | $68 | $526 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $350 | $184 | $534 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $336 | $204 | $540 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $397 | $144 | $541 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $312 | $239 | $551 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $315 | $241 | $556 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $258 | $301 | $559 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $455 | $113 | $569 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $323 | $248 | $571 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $373 | $211 | $584 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $505 | $89 | $594 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $446 | $156 | $602 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $512 | $115 | $627 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $528 | $124 | $652 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $490 | $167 | $657 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $476 | $184 | $660 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $501 | $161 | $662 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $649 | $68 | $718 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $618 | $114 | $732 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $572 | $177 | $749 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $613 | $137 | $750 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $695 | $57 | $752 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $482 | $282 | $764 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $701 | $66 | $767 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $682 | $93 | $775 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $706 | $121 | $827 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $698 | $147 | $845 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $655 | $203 | $858 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $730 | $146 | $877 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $836 | $90 | $926 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $784 | $165 | $949 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $873 | $110 | $984 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $797 | $210 | $1,007 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $748 | $271 | $1,019 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $971 | $151 | $1,122 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $993 | $131 | $1,124 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $42 | $1,162 | $1,205 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $1,116 | $102 | $1,217 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $1,116 | $160 | $1,276 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $1,135 | $176 | $1,311 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $1,244 | $131 | $1,375 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $1,262 | $173 | $1,435 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $1,588 | $28 | $1,616 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $1,503 | $122 | $1,624 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other mini-split / multi-split units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Hisense AUW-18U3TJ1 at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryant 37MARAQ18AA3 | 18,000 | 20–23.9 | 13.5 | 71% | $610 (−$102) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MAHAQ18AA3 | 18,000 | 18–21.5 | 12.4 | 90% | $668 (−$44) | Compare |
| Senville SENA-18HF-OG | 18,000 | 18–21.4 | 12.3 | 90% | $672 (−$40) | Compare |
| Fujitsu AOUH18KUAS1 | 18,000 | 18.6–26.3 | 11.4 | 82% | $744 (+$32) | Compare |
| Fujitsu AOUH18LUAS1 | 18,000 | 18.6–23.5 | 11.2 | 95% | $660 (−$52) | Compare |
| Senville SENA/18HF/OQ | 18,000 | 18–21.5 | 11.3 | 95% | $688 (−$24) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Hisense |
| Outdoor model | AUW-18U3TJ1 |
| Certified by | Hisense (Guangdong) Air Conditioning Co. Ltd |
| Product type | Mini-split / multi-split |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 18,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 1.5 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 19 – 21 |
| EER2 (best) | 12 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 18,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 14,100 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 18,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 5 |
| Latest certification | 2026-03 |
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 Hisense AUW-18U3TJ1 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 $712 per year ($523 heating, $189 cooling). It ranges from about $406 in Louisiana to $1,624 in Maine.
Does the Hisense AUW-18U3TJ1 work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 18,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 100% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2 at 5°F.
What size is the Hisense AUW-18U3TJ1?
It is rated at 18,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 1.5 tons, and 18,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.