Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
Good to know
- Only 51% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (15.5) and HSPF2 (8.5). 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 Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A** at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 48,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 64% · at 5°F: 51%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,301 a year in Louisiana to $5,063 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¢ | $503 | $797 | $1,301 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $377 | $1,114 | $1,491 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $726 | $804 | $1,530 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,390 | $159 | $1,548 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $853 | $709 | $1,562 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1,050 | $540 | $1,590 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $589 | $1,025 | $1,614 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,423 | $222 | $1,645 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1,086 | $602 | $1,688 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1,234 | $470 | $1,704 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1,044 | $668 | $1,711 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $969 | $781 | $1,750 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $977 | $788 | $1,765 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,413 | $371 | $1,784 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $800 | $985 | $1,786 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1,004 | $809 | $1,813 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1,159 | $688 | $1,848 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,569 | $290 | $1,859 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,384 | $511 | $1,895 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,589 | $377 | $1,966 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,641 | $404 | $2,045 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,522 | $546 | $2,068 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,479 | $601 | $2,080 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,556 | $527 | $2,083 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $2,016 | $223 | $2,239 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,919 | $372 | $2,291 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2,157 | $185 | $2,342 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,902 | $448 | $2,350 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,776 | $579 | $2,356 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2,175 | $217 | $2,392 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,496 | $921 | $2,418 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2,117 | $305 | $2,421 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2,193 | $396 | $2,589 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2,166 | $480 | $2,646 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $2,033 | $663 | $2,696 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2,267 | $479 | $2,746 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,595 | $293 | $2,888 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2,433 | $539 | $2,972 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,712 | $361 | $3,072 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,475 | $686 | $3,161 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2,323 | $885 | $3,208 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $3,013 | $493 | $3,507 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $3,083 | $427 | $3,511 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3,464 | $332 | $3,796 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $132 | $3,799 | $3,931 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3,464 | $524 | $3,988 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3,522 | $577 | $4,099 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3,861 | $428 | $4,289 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,918 | $566 | $4,484 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4,930 | $91 | $5,022 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $4,665 | $398 | $5,063 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A** at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY48AJVC | 45,500 | 18–19 | 10 | 92% | $1,827 (−$415) | Compare |
| Gree GUD60W2/NHE-D(U) | 53,000 | 16–19 | 10.5 | 100% | $2,156 (−$86) | Compare |
| Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 20–23 | 9.5 | 76% | $1,963 (−$279) | Compare |
| Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 19.5–23 | 9.5 | 72% | $2,113 (−$130) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 88% | $1,793 (−$450) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY60AJVC | 52,000 | 16–18 | 10 | 66% | $2,393 (+$150) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Lennox |
| Outdoor model | ML16KP2-048-230A** |
| Certified by | Lennox Industries |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Two-stage |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 48,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 4 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.5 – 17 |
| EER2 (best) | 12.5 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 47,500 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 30,400 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 24,400 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.26 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 159 |
| Latest certification | 2026-10 |
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 Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A** 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 $2,242 per year ($1,624 heating, $619 cooling). It ranges from about $1,301 in Louisiana to $5,063 in Maine.
Does the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A** work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 24,400 BTU/h at 5°F (51% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.
What size is the Lennox ML16KP2-048-230A**?
It is rated at 48,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4 tons, and 47,500 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.