Full rated heat in deep cold at a fair price, for a self-installer comfortable with a vacuum pump. Della’s Optima Pro has near-identical certified ratings for a little less.
Amazon $1,878 Pioneer Mini Split store $1,878
The best value for heating through a cold winter, if you can pull a vacuum yourself or pay someone to. It holds its full rated heat at 5 °F for far less than a quick-connect unit that does the same.
- 18,000 BTUSize
- 17,800 Btu/hHeat at 5 °F
- 99%Kept at 5 °F
- 10 / 23.5HSPF2 / SEER2
- FlareInstall
- $104Price / kBtu
Price checked October 21, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
- Makes 17,800 Btu/h of heat at 5 °F, 99% of its rated output
- Keeps heating down to −22 °F
- The lowest price for this much heat at 5 °F
- Lifetime parts cover once registered, including for a self-install
- Flared line set (16.4 ft): you need a vacuum pump, gauges and a torque wrench
- Only 1 year of standard warranty, and no compressor term is stated
- The lifetime cover is parts only, and you pay shipping
How it scores
The rating comes from 5 measured or published factors, each scored 0-100 against fixed reference points for its size. How we rank explains each one.
Specifications
| Capacity (certified) | |
|---|---|
| Size (nominal) | 18,000 BTU |
| Cooling at 95 °F | 18,000 Btu/h |
| Heating at 47 °F | 18,000 Btu/h |
| Heating at 17 °F (max) | 15,500 Btu/h |
| Heating at 5 °F (max) | 17,800 Btu/h |
| Heat kept at 5 °F | 99% |
| Price per 1,000 Btu/h at 5 °F | $104 |
| Efficiency (certified) | |
| HSPF2 (Region IV) | 10 |
| SEER2 | 23.5 |
| EER2 | 12.5 |
| COP at 5 °F | 1.80 |
| ENERGY STAR | ENERGY STAR Cold Climate |
| AHRI certificate | 218471004 |
| Operating range | |
| Heats down to | -22 °F |
| Cooling range | 5 to 131 °F |
| Installation | |
| Line set connection | Flare fittings (vacuum pump needed) |
| Line set | 16.4 ft included, up to 65 ft |
| Voltage | 230 V |
| Refrigerant | R-454B |
| Indoor unit | 048-TPH-18K2V-C-IN |
| Outdoor unit | 048-TPH-18K2V-23S-OUT |
| Build | |
| Indoor noise | 34–48 dB(A) |
| Outdoor noise | 58 dB(A) |
| Wi-Fi | Built in |
| Room size (maker) | up to 1,000 sq ft |
| Weight | indoor 30.9 lb / outdoor 93.7 lb |
| Warranty | lifetime parts (registered) |
| Warranty with DIY install | Yes |
| Released | 2026-05 |
Alternatives in this size
A quick-connect unit with one of the longest warranties for a self-install, priced below MrCool’s DIY 5th Gen. Its −4 °F heating limit rules it out as the only heat in a very cold climate.
Amazon $1,981.82For cold-climate homes where a quick-connect install matters more than price: it holds its full heat far colder than other quick-connect units. Flare-connect units match its cold-weather output for much less.
Amazon $3,173 MRCOOL DIY Direct $3,205Compare
Compare the Della Optima Pro CloudAir 18,000 BTU 230V with any other DIY mini-split →
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