Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: cold and very cold climatesStrengths
- Keeps 103% of its heat at 5°F, so backup heat rarely runs
- Heating efficiency (HSPF2 10.3) beats 80% 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 (10.3). 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-HM36BAHU at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 36,000 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 84% · at 5°F: 103%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $926 a year in Louisiana to $3,376 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¢ | $332 | $594 | $926 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $918 | $118 | $1,036 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $479 | $599 | $1,079 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $249 | $830 | $1,079 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $563 | $528 | $1,092 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $693 | $403 | $1,096 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $940 | $165 | $1,105 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $389 | $764 | $1,153 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $815 | $350 | $1,165 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $717 | $448 | $1,166 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $689 | $497 | $1,187 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $933 | $276 | $1,209 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $640 | $582 | $1,221 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $645 | $587 | $1,232 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,036 | $216 | $1,252 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $528 | $734 | $1,263 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $663 | $603 | $1,266 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $765 | $513 | $1,278 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $914 | $381 | $1,295 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,049 | $281 | $1,330 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,083 | $301 | $1,384 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,005 | $407 | $1,411 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,027 | $393 | $1,420 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $976 | $448 | $1,424 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $1,331 | $166 | $1,497 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,267 | $277 | $1,544 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $1,424 | $138 | $1,562 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,256 | $334 | $1,590 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $1,436 | $162 | $1,598 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,173 | $432 | $1,604 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $1,397 | $227 | $1,625 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $988 | $687 | $1,674 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $1,448 | $295 | $1,743 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $1,430 | $358 | $1,788 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $1,342 | $494 | $1,836 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $1,497 | $357 | $1,854 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $1,713 | $218 | $1,932 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $1,606 | $402 | $2,008 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $1,790 | $269 | $2,059 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $1,634 | $511 | $2,145 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $1,534 | $659 | $2,193 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $2,036 | $318 | $2,354 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $1,989 | $368 | $2,357 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $2,287 | $248 | $2,534 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $2,287 | $390 | $2,677 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $2,325 | $430 | $2,755 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $2,549 | $319 | $2,868 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $87 | $2,831 | $2,918 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $2,586 | $422 | $3,008 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $3,255 | $68 | $3,323 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $3,080 | $296 | $3,376 |
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-HM36BAHU 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 (−$180) | Compare |
| Bryant 37MUHAQ36AA3 | 36,000 | 15.8–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,527 (−$6) | Compare |
| Daikin DH9VSA361CA* | 34,200 | 16.9–21 | 10 | 100% | $1,398 (−$135) | Compare |
| MrCool CENTRAL-36-HP-C-230B00-O | 36,000 | 15.2–17.4 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (+$12) | Compare |
| Midea MO1SE-H36B-2A | 36,000 | 15.2–18 | 10.3 | 103% | $1,545 (+$12) | Compare |
| Gree FXU36HP230V1R32AO | 34,000 | 16–18.2 | 10 | 97% | $1,441 (−$92) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Panasonic |
| Outdoor model | CU-HM36BAHU |
| Certified by | Panasonic |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 36,000 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 3 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 15.6 – 17.4 |
| EER2 (best) | 11.7 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 10.3 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 38,000 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 31,800 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 39,000 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 1.9 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 8 |
| 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-HM36BAHU 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 $1,533 per year ($1,072 heating, $461 cooling). It ranges from about $926 in Louisiana to $3,376 in Maine.
Does the Panasonic CU-HM36BAHU work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 39,000 BTU/h at 5°F, 103% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 1.9 at 5°F.
What size is the Panasonic CU-HM36BAHU?
It is rated at 36,000 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 3 tons, and 38,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.