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 (15.3) 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 Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU 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 $811 a year in Louisiana to $3,090 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 | $505 | $811 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $229 | $705 | $935 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $846 | $100 | $946 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $442 | $509 | $951 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $519 | $449 | $968 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $639 | $342 | $981 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $866 | $140 | $1,007 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $358 | $649 | $1,007 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $661 | $381 | $1,042 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $751 | $298 | $1,048 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $635 | $423 | $1,058 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $589 | $494 | $1,084 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $595 | $499 | $1,093 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $860 | $235 | $1,095 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $487 | $624 | $1,111 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $611 | $512 | $1,123 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $955 | $184 | $1,138 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $705 | $436 | $1,141 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $842 | $324 | $1,166 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $967 | $239 | $1,206 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $998 | $256 | $1,254 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $926 | $346 | $1,271 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $900 | $380 | $1,280 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $947 | $334 | $1,280 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,227 | $141 | $1,368 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,168 | $236 | $1,403 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,312 | $117 | $1,430 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,157 | $284 | $1,441 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,081 | $367 | $1,448 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,323 | $137 | $1,461 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,288 | $193 | $1,481 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $910 | $583 | $1,494 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,334 | $251 | $1,585 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,318 | $304 | $1,622 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,237 | $420 | $1,657 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,379 | $303 | $1,683 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,579 | $185 | $1,764 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,480 | $341 | $1,822 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,650 | $228 | $1,878 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,506 | $434 | $1,940 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,413 | $560 | $1,974 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,833 | $312 | $2,146 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $1,876 | $270 | $2,146 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,107 | $210 | $2,318 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,108 | $332 | $2,439 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $80 | $2,405 | $2,485 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,143 | $365 | $2,508 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,349 | $271 | $2,620 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,384 | $359 | $2,742 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,000 | $58 | $3,057 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $2,839 | $252 | $3,090 |
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU 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 (−$26) | Compare |
| Payne 37MUHAQ30AA3 | 30,000 | 15.3–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,306 (−$73) | Compare |
| Midea MO1HE-H30B-2A | 30,000 | 15.2–17.5 | 10.8 | 98% | $1,309 (−$71) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (+$18) | Compare |
| Gree FXU36HP230V1R32AO | 34,000 | 16–18.2 | 10 | 97% | $1,441 (+$62) | Compare |
| MrCool CENTRAL-30-HP-C-230B00-O | 30,000 | 15.6–16.8 | 10 | 96% | $1,372 (−$8) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Outdoor model | CU-HM30BAHU |
| Certified by | Panasonic |
| 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) | 15.3 – 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 | 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 Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU 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 $1,380 per year ($988 heating, $392 cooling). It ranges from about $811 in Louisiana to $3,090 in Maine.
Does the Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU 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 Panasonic CU-HM30BAHU?
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.