Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: cold and very cold climatesStrengths
- Keeps 96% of its heat at 5°F, so backup heat rarely runs
- 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
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 (15.6) 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 MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 30,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 74% · at 5°F: 96%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $801 a year in Louisiana to $3,086 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¢ | $306 | $495 | $801 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $229 | $692 | $921 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $442 | $500 | $941 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $846 | $98 | $944 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $519 | $440 | $959 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $639 | $336 | $974 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $358 | $637 | $995 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $866 | $138 | $1,004 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $661 | $374 | $1,035 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $751 | $292 | $1,043 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $635 | $415 | $1,050 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $589 | $485 | $1,074 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $595 | $489 | $1,084 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $860 | $230 | $1,090 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $487 | $612 | $1,099 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $611 | $502 | $1,113 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $705 | $428 | $1,133 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $955 | $180 | $1,135 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $842 | $318 | $1,160 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $967 | $234 | $1,201 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $998 | $251 | $1,249 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $926 | $339 | $1,265 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $900 | $373 | $1,273 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $947 | $327 | $1,274 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,227 | $139 | $1,365 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,168 | $231 | $1,399 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,312 | $115 | $1,428 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,157 | $278 | $1,436 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,081 | $360 | $1,440 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,323 | $135 | $1,458 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,288 | $189 | $1,477 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $910 | $572 | $1,482 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,334 | $246 | $1,580 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,318 | $298 | $1,616 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,237 | $412 | $1,648 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,379 | $297 | $1,677 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,579 | $182 | $1,761 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,480 | $335 | $1,815 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,650 | $224 | $1,874 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,506 | $426 | $1,932 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,413 | $550 | $1,963 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,833 | $306 | $2,140 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,876 | $265 | $2,141 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,107 | $206 | $2,314 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,108 | $325 | $2,433 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $80 | $2,359 | $2,439 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,143 | $358 | $2,501 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,349 | $266 | $2,615 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,384 | $352 | $2,735 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,000 | $57 | $3,056 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2,839 | $247 | $3,086 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O 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 (−$19) | Compare |
| Payne 37MUHAQ30AA3 | 30,000 | 15.3–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,306 (−$66) | Compare |
| Midea MO1HE-H30B-2A | 30,000 | 15.2–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,309 (−$63) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (+$26) | Compare |
| Gree FXU36HP230V1R32AO | 34,000 | 16–18.2 | 10 | 97% | $1,441 (+$69) | Compare |
| Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU | 30,000 | 15.3–16.8 | 10 | 96% | $1,380 (+$8) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | MrCool |
| Outdoor model | CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O |
| Certified by | HVAC Distributing, LLC. |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 30,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 2.5 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.6 – 16.8 |
| EER2 (best) | 11.7 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 34,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 25,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 32,600 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 1.96 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 13 |
| 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 MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O 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 $1,372 per year ($988 heating, $384 cooling). It ranges from about $801 in Louisiana to $3,086 in Maine.
Does the MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 32,600 BTU/h at 5°F, 96% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 1.96 at 5°F.
What size is the MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O?
It is rated at 30,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 2.5 tons, and 34,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.