Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mixed climates with occasional hard freezesStrengths
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-32 refrigerant
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 (15.2) and HSPF2 (9.4). 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 LG KUSXB481A at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 45,500 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 64% · at 5°F: 77%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,250 a year in Louisiana to $4,825 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¢ | $479 | $771 | $1,250 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $359 | $1,077 | $1,436 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $691 | $778 | $1,468 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,323 | $153 | $1,476 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $812 | $685 | $1,497 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $999 | $522 | $1,522 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $560 | $991 | $1,551 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,355 | $214 | $1,569 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1,034 | $582 | $1,616 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1,174 | $454 | $1,629 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $994 | $645 | $1,639 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $922 | $755 | $1,677 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $930 | $762 | $1,692 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,345 | $359 | $1,704 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $762 | $953 | $1,714 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $955 | $782 | $1,738 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1,104 | $665 | $1,769 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,493 | $280 | $1,774 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,317 | $494 | $1,812 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,512 | $365 | $1,877 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,562 | $391 | $1,952 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,449 | $528 | $1,976 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,407 | $581 | $1,988 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,481 | $509 | $1,991 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,919 | $216 | $2,135 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,827 | $360 | $2,186 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2,053 | $179 | $2,232 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,811 | $433 | $2,244 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,691 | $560 | $2,251 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2,070 | $210 | $2,280 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2,015 | $295 | $2,309 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,424 | $891 | $2,315 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2,087 | $383 | $2,470 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2,062 | $464 | $2,526 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,935 | $641 | $2,576 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2,158 | $463 | $2,621 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,470 | $283 | $2,753 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2,316 | $521 | $2,837 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,581 | $349 | $2,930 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,356 | $663 | $3,019 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2,211 | $855 | $3,067 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,868 | $477 | $3,345 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,935 | $413 | $3,348 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3,297 | $321 | $3,618 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $125 | $3,672 | $3,797 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3,298 | $506 | $3,804 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3,353 | $557 | $3,910 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3,676 | $414 | $4,089 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,729 | $547 | $4,276 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4,693 | $88 | $4,781 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $4,441 | $384 | $4,825 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the LG KUSXB481A 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 (−$317) | Compare |
| Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 20–23 | 9.5 | 76% | $1,963 (−$180) | Compare |
| Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 19.5–23 | 9.5 | 72% | $2,113 (−$31) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 88% | $1,793 (−$351) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY60AJVC | 52,000 | 16–18 | 10 | 66% | $2,393 (+$249) | Compare |
| Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 79% | $1,938 (−$206) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | LG |
| Outdoor model | KUSXB481A |
| Certified by | LG Electronics, Inc. |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-32 |
| Cooling capacity | 45,500 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 4 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.2 – 18 |
| EER2 (best) | 11.7 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 9.4 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 50,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 32,200 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 38,500 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 1.8 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 5 |
| Latest certification | 2026-04 |
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 LG KUSXB481A 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 $2,143 per year ($1,546 heating, $598 cooling). It ranges from about $1,250 in Louisiana to $4,825 in Maine.
Does the LG KUSXB481A work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 38,500 BTU/h at 5°F, 77% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 1.8 at 5°F.
What size is the LG KUSXB481A?
It is rated at 45,500 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4 tons, and 50,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.