Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mild climates or homes with backup heatStrengths
- Meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements.
Good to know
- Only 51% 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 (15.6) 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 MHP17036A-**A at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 65% · 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 $974 a year in Louisiana to $3,821 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¢ | $380 | $594 | $974 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $285 | $830 | $1,115 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $548 | $599 | $1,148 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,050 | $118 | $1,168 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $644 | $528 | $1,173 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $793 | $403 | $1,196 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $445 | $764 | $1,209 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,075 | $165 | $1,241 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $821 | $448 | $1,269 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $932 | $350 | $1,283 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $789 | $497 | $1,286 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $732 | $582 | $1,314 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $738 | $587 | $1,326 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $605 | $734 | $1,339 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,068 | $276 | $1,344 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $758 | $603 | $1,361 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $876 | $513 | $1,389 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,185 | $216 | $1,401 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,046 | $381 | $1,427 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,201 | $281 | $1,482 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,240 | $301 | $1,541 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,150 | $407 | $1,557 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,117 | $448 | $1,565 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,176 | $393 | $1,568 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,523 | $166 | $1,690 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,450 | $277 | $1,727 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,630 | $138 | $1,768 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,437 | $334 | $1,771 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,342 | $432 | $1,774 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,644 | $162 | $1,805 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,130 | $687 | $1,817 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,599 | $227 | $1,826 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,657 | $295 | $1,952 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,637 | $358 | $1,994 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,536 | $494 | $2,030 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,713 | $357 | $2,070 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,961 | $218 | $2,179 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,838 | $402 | $2,240 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,049 | $269 | $2,318 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,870 | $511 | $2,381 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,755 | $659 | $2,415 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $2,277 | $368 | $2,644 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,330 | $318 | $2,648 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,617 | $248 | $2,865 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $100 | $2,831 | $2,930 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,618 | $390 | $3,008 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,661 | $430 | $3,091 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,918 | $319 | $3,236 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,960 | $422 | $3,382 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,725 | $68 | $3,793 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,525 | $296 | $3,821 |
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 MHP17036A-**A 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 (−$335) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3 | 36,000 | 15.8–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,527 (−$161) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (−$290) | Compare |
| Panasonic CU-HM36BAHU | 36,000 | 15.6–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,533 (−$155) | Compare |
| MrCool CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230B00-O | 36,000 | 15.2–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (−$143) | Compare |
| Midea MO1SE-H36B-2A | 36,000 | 15.2–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (−$143) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | MrCool |
| Outdoor model | MHP17036A-**A |
| Certified by | Lennox Industries |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Single-stage |
| Refrigerant | R-410A |
| Cooling capacity | 36,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 3 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.6 – 16.6 |
| EER2 (best) | 13.5 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 8.1 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 34,200 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 22,400 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 17,600 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2.24 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | No |
| Certified indoor pairings | 13 |
| 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 MHP17036A-**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 $1,688 per year ($1,227 heating, $461 cooling). It ranges from about $974 in Louisiana to $3,821 in Maine.
Does the MrCool MHP17036A-**A work in cold weather?
It is not ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified. It delivers 17,600 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 MrCool MHP17036A-**A?
It is rated at 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 34,200 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.