Our take in 30 seconds
Best for: mixed climates with occasional hard freezesStrengths
- Cooling efficiency up to SEER2 23, better than 87% of models
- Variable-speed compressor: quieter, steadier temperatures and better humidity control
- Uses newer, lower-impact R-454B refrigerant
- Also sold under 8 other badges, so you can compare more quotes for the same unit
Good to know
- Efficiency depends on the indoor unit: SEER2 ranges 19.5–23, so ask which pairing you're quoted
Running-cost calculator
Pre-filled with EIA prices · edit any fieldUses the base certified SEER2 (19.5) and HSPF2 (9.5). 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 Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* at the three ENERGY STAR test temperatures (cooling capacity is 46,500 BTU/h for reference).
Retention at 17°F: 81% · at 5°F: 72%. Learn how to use these numbers in our cold-climate guide.
Estimated running cost in every state
Same unit, very different bills: from about $1,121 a year in Louisiana to $5,039 in Alaska, 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¢ | $507 | $614 | $1,121 |
| Florida | 14.99¢ | $380 | $858 | $1,238 |
| Mississippi | 14.43¢ | $731 | $619 | $1,351 |
| Arizona | 15.05¢ | $593 | $790 | $1,383 |
| Nevada | 12.72¢ | $860 | $546 | $1,406 |
| Tennessee | 13.42¢ | $1,058 | $416 | $1,474 |
| Washington | 14.63¢ | $1,401 | $122 | $1,523 |
| North Carolina | 14.95¢ | $1,094 | $463 | $1,558 |
| Texas | 15.91¢ | $806 | $759 | $1,565 |
| Arkansas | 14.37¢ | $1,052 | $514 | $1,566 |
| South Carolina | 15.76¢ | $976 | $601 | $1,578 |
| Georgia | 15.90¢ | $985 | $607 | $1,592 |
| Oregon | 15.92¢ | $1,434 | $171 | $1,605 |
| Kentucky | 13.80¢ | $1,243 | $362 | $1,605 |
| Alabama | 16.33¢ | $1,012 | $623 | $1,635 |
| Oklahoma | 14.82¢ | $1,168 | $530 | $1,699 |
| Utah | 13.31¢ | $1,424 | $286 | $1,710 |
| New Mexico | 16.51¢ | $1,395 | $394 | $1,788 |
| Idaho | 13.37¢ | $1,581 | $223 | $1,804 |
| Nebraska | 13.54¢ | $1,601 | $291 | $1,892 |
| Virginia | 17.64¢ | $1,490 | $463 | $1,953 |
| Missouri | 16.02¢ | $1,534 | $420 | $1,954 |
| West Virginia | 16.31¢ | $1,653 | $311 | $1,964 |
| Kansas | 15.47¢ | $1,568 | $406 | $1,974 |
| Wyoming | 14.43¢ | $2,032 | $172 | $2,204 |
| California | 29.75¢ | $1,508 | $709 | $2,217 |
| Colorado | 17.17¢ | $1,934 | $287 | $2,220 |
| Delaware | 18.70¢ | $1,790 | $446 | $2,236 |
| Indiana | 17.02¢ | $1,917 | $345 | $2,262 |
| North Dakota | 13.31¢ | $2,174 | $143 | $2,317 |
| Montana | 15.57¢ | $2,192 | $167 | $2,359 |
| South Dakota | 15.15¢ | $2,133 | $235 | $2,368 |
| Iowa | 17.06¢ | $2,210 | $305 | $2,515 |
| Ohio | 19.38¢ | $2,183 | $370 | $2,553 |
| Maryland | 21.40¢ | $2,049 | $510 | $2,559 |
| Illinois | 19.32¢ | $2,285 | $369 | $2,653 |
| Minnesota | 17.20¢ | $2,615 | $226 | $2,841 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.77¢ | $2,452 | $415 | $2,867 |
| Wisconsin | 19.41¢ | $2,733 | $278 | $3,010 |
| District of Columbia | 25.98¢ | $2,341 | $681 | $3,022 |
| New Jersey | 24.61¢ | $2,495 | $528 | $3,023 |
| Hawaii | 47.18¢ | $133 | $2,925 | $3,058 |
| Connecticut | 24.51¢ | $3,037 | $380 | $3,417 |
| Michigan | 22.99¢ | $3,107 | $329 | $3,436 |
| Vermont | 23.84¢ | $3,491 | $256 | $3,746 |
| Rhode Island | 28.18¢ | $3,491 | $403 | $3,895 |
| New York | 28.65¢ | $3,550 | $444 | $3,994 |
| New Hampshire | 27.64¢ | $3,891 | $330 | $4,221 |
| Massachusetts | 30.48¢ | $3,948 | $436 | $4,384 |
| Maine | 32.11¢ | $4,702 | $306 | $5,008 |
| Alaska | 29.41¢ | $4,969 | $70 | $5,039 |
Same equipment sold under other brands
These listings share the same certifying manufacturer (Carrier Corporation) and identical certified capacities and efficiency ratings, so they are almost certainly the same hardware with a different badge. If you get quotes for any of them, you are comparing installation price and warranty, not equipment. How rebadging works.
- Comfortmaker C5H3V48*K*AAA*
- Day & Night C5H3V48*K*AAA*
- Keeprite C5H3V48*K*AAA*
- Kenmore (C,H,T)5H3V48*K*AAA*
Plus 4 more identical listings in the ENERGY STAR database.
Similar-size alternatives
Other ducted split system units within ±15% of this model's cooling capacity, sorted by efficiency. Cost difference is versus the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* at U.S.-average rates.
| Model | Cooling BTU/h | SEER2 | HSPF2 | 5°F kept | Est. yearly cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruud UP19AY48AJVC | 45,500 | 18–19 | 10 | 92% | $1,827 (−$286) | Compare |
| Gree GUD60W2/NHE-D(U) | 53,000 | 16–19 | 10.5 | 100% | $2,156 (+$43) | Compare |
| Heil B5H3V48*K*AAA* | 46,500 | 20–23 | 9.5 | 76% | $1,963 (−$150) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 88% | $1,793 (−$320) | Compare |
| Rheem RD18AY60AJVC | 52,000 | 16–18 | 10 | 66% | $2,393 (+$280) | Compare |
| Friedrich RD18AY48AJVC | 43,500 | 16–19 | 10 | 79% | $1,938 (−$175) | Compare |
Full specifications
| Brand | Tempstar |
| Outdoor model | T5H3V48*K*AAA* |
| Certified by | Carrier Corporation |
| Product type | Ducted split system |
| Compressor | Variable-speed (inverter) |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Cooling capacity | 46,500 BTU/h |
| Nominal size | 4 tons |
| SEER2 (certified range) | 19.5 – 23 |
| EER2 (best) | 12.5 |
| HSPF2 (best) | 9.5 |
| Heating capacity @ 47°F | 53,500 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 17°F | 43,500 BTU/h |
| Heating capacity @ 5°F | 38,500 BTU/h |
| COP @ 5°F | 2 |
| ENERGY STAR cold-climate | Yes |
| Certified indoor pairings | 131 |
| Latest certification | 2026-07 |
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 Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* 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 $2,113 per year ($1,636 heating, $476 cooling). It ranges from about $1,121 in Louisiana to $5,039 in Alaska.
Does the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* work in cold weather?
Yes. It is ENERGY STAR cold-climate certified and delivers 38,500 BTU/h at 5°F, 72% of its 47°F capacity, with a COP of 2 at 5°F.
What size is the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA*?
It is rated at 46,500 BTU/h of cooling, roughly 4 tons, and 53,500 BTU/h of heating at 47°F. Proper sizing should be confirmed with a Manual J load calculation.
Is the Tempstar T5H3V48*K*AAA* the same as the Comfortmaker C5H3V48*K*AAA*?
Very likely. Both are certified by Carrier Corporation with identical capacities and efficiency ratings in the ENERGY STAR database, which indicates the same equipment sold under different brands.