Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- Meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements.
Good to know
- Only 53% of its heat output remains at 5°F; plan on backup heat in hard freezes
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 8.1) is in the lower third of models
- Single-stage compressor runs on/off at full power, so it is less smooth than inverter models
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (15.4) and HSPF2 (8.1). 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 MHP17030A-**A at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 29,400 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 66% · at 5°F: 53%. 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 $3,111 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¢ | $309 | $491 | $801 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $232 | $687 | $918 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $446 | $496 | $942 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $854 | $98 | $951 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $524 | $437 | $961 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $645 | $333 | $978 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $362 | $632 | $994 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $874 | $137 | $1,011 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $667 | $371 | $1,038 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $758 | $290 | $1,048 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $641 | $412 | $1,053 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $595 | $481 | $1,076 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $600 | $486 | $1,086 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $868 | $229 | $1,097 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $491 | $607 | $1,099 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $617 | $499 | $1,115 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $712 | $424 | $1,136 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $964 | $179 | $1,142 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $850 | $315 | $1,165 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $976 | $233 | $1,209 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,008 | $249 | $1,257 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $935 | $336 | $1,271 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $908 | $370 | $1,279 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $956 | $325 | $1,281 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,238 | $138 | $1,376 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,179 | $229 | $1,408 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,325 | $114 | $1,439 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,168 | $276 | $1,444 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,091 | $357 | $1,448 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,336 | $134 | $1,470 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $919 | $568 | $1,487 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,300 | $188 | $1,488 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,347 | $244 | $1,591 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,330 | $296 | $1,626 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,249 | $409 | $1,657 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,392 | $295 | $1,688 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,594 | $181 | $1,774 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,494 | $332 | $1,827 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,665 | $222 | $1,888 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,520 | $423 | $1,943 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,427 | $546 | $1,972 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,851 | $304 | $2,155 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,894 | $263 | $2,157 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,127 | $205 | $2,332 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $81 | $2,342 | $2,423 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,128 | $323 | $2,451 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,163 | $356 | $2,519 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,372 | $264 | $2,635 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,406 | $349 | $2,755 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,028 | $56 | $3,084 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2,865 | $245 | $3,111 |
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 MHP17030A-**A at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payne 37MUHAQ30AA3 | 30,000 | 15.3–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,306 (−$72) | Compare |
| Midea MO1HE-H30B-2A | 30,000 | 15.2–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,309 (−$70) | Compare |
| MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O | 30,000 | 15.6–16.8 | 10 | 96% | $1,372 (−$7) | Compare |
| Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU | 30,000 | 15.3–16.8 | 10 | 96% | $1,380 (+$1) | Compare |
| Carrier 27VPA924A*030* | 25,400 | 15.2–19.5 | 10 | 86% | $1,083 (−$295) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY36AJVC | 32,800 | 15.2–20 | 10 | 78% | $1,477 (+$98) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | MrCool |
| Outdoor model | MHP17030A-**A |
| Certified by | Lennox Industries |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Single-stage |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Cooling capacity | 29,400 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 2.5 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.4 – 16.2 |
| EER2 (best) | 13 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8.1 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 27,800 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 18,400 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 14,600 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.28 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 17 |
| Latest certification | 2025-10 |
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 MrCool MHP17030A-**A 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 $1,379 per year ($997 heating, $381 cooling). It ranges from about $801 in Louisiana to $3,111 in Maine.
Does the MrCool MHP17030A-**A work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 14,600 BTU/h at 5°F (53% of its 47°F capacity), so in very cold climates expect more reliance on backup heat.
What size is the MrCool MHP17030A-**A?
It is rated at 29,400 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 2.5 tons, and 27,800 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.