ACiQ / ACiQ Essentials
ACiQ Essentials 18k R-32 208/230V Mini-Split
Stepping up to 18,000 BTU, this 230V Essentials unit runs R-32 and posts 20 SEER2, 9.5 EER2, and 10 HSPF2. Heating is respectable through the cold: 18,000 BTU at 47F, 15,000 BTU at 17F, and 12,000 BTU at 5F. It's a value-tier ton-and-a-half zone for a great room, open-plan space, or a well-used shop.
Refrigerant generation
R-32 - current-generation refrigerant
Paid link
$940 / Checked Jul 26, 2026
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Image: HVACDirect
- Last sourced
- Jul 26, 2026
SplitAtlas score
7.7 / 10
(20.0 SEER2) among 18k systems
(10.0 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(5F certified capacity: 66.7% of the 47F rating; -4 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(4 yr parts / 6 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(3 verified features) across the catalogue
($940 median retail) among 18k systems
(6 manuals; spec sheet) across the catalogue
Not evaluated
- Installation accessibility — not applicable (professional install)N/A
professional install - DIY-accessibility not applicable
Key ratings
Best-fit use cases
A solid choice for a large open room or finished shop on 230V where you want meaningful heat retention into cold weather at a value price.
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 13 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 16 ft; included 16 ft.
Alternatives
- Blueridge XS6 Max Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXS6A18WM0 / BXS6A18UC0)
9.2 score / 18k / SEER2 25.6 / -22 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at Alpine Home Air: $2,359.00, checked Jul 24, 2026
- Senville ELITE 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (SENE-18EL-IHH / SENE-18EL-OH)
9.0 score / 18k / SEER2 25.6 / -22 F heating floor / 187-253V
Exact destination at Senville: $1,899.99, checked Jul 24, 2026
- Blueridge DS2 DIY High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BDAFA18WM0 / BDS2A18SC0)
8.7 score / 18k / SEER2 22.5 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at Alpine Home Air: $1,899.00, checked Jul 24, 2026
Availability and price context
- Last seen at HVACDirect on Jul 26, 2026: $939.99. Open the listing for today's price.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Jul 26, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 26, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 3
- Newest source retrieved
- Jul 26, 2026
Warranty tiers
- Registered
- 4 yr parts / 6 yr compressor - published per-line terms with online registration
The score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.
Strengths
- Holds 15,000 BTU at 17F and still delivers 12,000 BTU at 5F, so it carries real load through most winters despite not being cold-climate rated.
- HSPF2 of 10 is a strong seasonal heating figure at this capacity.
Weaknesses
- EER2 of 9.5 means peak cooling efficiency is modest for the SEER2 on the label.
- Not ENERGY STAR certified, and as a house brand it has a smaller network of familiar installers than premium lines.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -4 F[1]
- Certified heating at 5F
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 15,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- ACiQ
- Brand
- ACiQ
- Product line
- ACiQ Essentials
- Model number
- ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B indoor / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B
- Outdoor unit model
- ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- 13 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 20 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 9.5 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 10 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.8 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -4 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 5 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 127 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- not published
- Outdoor noise rating
- 55 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- not published
- Outdoor weight
- 78.9 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-32[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 3/8 in suction
- Included line-set length
- 16 ft[1]
- Maximum line-set length
- not published
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- Not ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 218451497[2]
- Warranty
- Registered: 4 yr parts / 6 yr compressor (published per-line terms with online registration). Score uses Registered.. 6-year compressor / 4-year parts with online registration
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- $939.99
- Available retailers
- HVACDirect
- Manual links
- AHRI public directory record 218451497, ENERGY STAR exact check 218451497, 18,000 BTU ACiQ Essentials 20 SEER2 Single Zone Wall Mount Mini Split Heat Pump System - R32 | 230V HVACDirect installation resources listing, 18,000 BTU ACiQ Essentials 20 SEER2 Single Zone Wall Mount Mini Split Heat Pump System - R32 | 230V, 18,000 BTU ACiQ Essentials 20 SEER2 Single Zone Wall Mount Mini Split Heat Pump System - R32 | 230V HVACDirect product specification grid
- Specification sheet
- 18,000 BTU ACiQ Essentials 20 SEER2 Single Zone Wall Mount Mini Split Heat Pump System - R32 | 230V HVACDirect product specification grid
- Last sourced date
- Jul 26, 2026
Retail purchase context
Some retailer links may earn us a commission at no extra cost; paid relationships never change scores or recommendations. Affiliate disclosure
Paid link
$940 / Checked Jul 26, 2026
Installation considerations
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- Liquid line
- 1/4 in[1]
- Suction line
- 3/8 in[1]
- Line connection type
- not published
- Precharged length
- 16 ft[1]
- Included line-set length
- 16 ft[1]
- Maximum line-set length
- not published
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- not published
- Outdoor dimensions
- 33.54 x 23.70 x 13.74 in[1]
- Indoor weight
- not published
- Outdoor weight
- 78.9 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More ACiQ systems
- Della Serena 18k R-32 208/230V 2-Zone Mini-Split
- ACiQ Extreme 18k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
- ACiQ Essentials 18k R-32 208/230V 2-Zone Mini-Split
- ACiQ Standard 18k R-454B 208/230V 2-Zone Mini-Split
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- ACiQ mini split review: is ACiQ any good?
- The best 18,000 BTU mini splits of 2026
- The best DIY mini splits of 2026
- What "DIY mini split" actually means
- How to install a mini split (DIY overview)
- R-32 vs R-454B: the mini split refrigerant change explained
- What size mini split do I need for a garage?
- Mini splits for a workshop or shop
- Are mini splits worth it?
- Mini split remote not working
- Mini split Wi-Fi not connecting
- Your mini split is showing a refrigerant leak code
- Mini split not cooling
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the ACiQ Essentials 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B) myself, or do I need a pro?
- ACiQ Essentials 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B) is built for professional installation: the line set must be flared, evacuated, and charged, which requires EPA-certified refrigerant handling. Installing it outside the manufacturer's requirements can void the warranty, so budget for a qualified HVAC installer.
- Will the ACiQ Essentials 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The AHRI/ENERGY STAR certification lists 12,000 BTU/h of heating capacity at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -4 F. Certified heating efficiency is 10 HSPF2. Match those numbers against your climate's design temperature - in cold regions, output at 5F matters far more than the nameplate capacity measured at 47F.
- What electrical circuit does the ACiQ Essentials 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 13 A minimum circuit ampacity, and 20 A maximum breaker or fuse sizing. Confirm the final circuit against the unit nameplate and local code with a licensed electrician.
- What warranty does the ACiQ Essentials 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Registered: 4 yr parts / 6 yr compressor (published per-line terms with online registration). Score uses Registered.. Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
ShowHide
- HVACDirect / ACiQ: 18,000 BTU ACiQ Essentials 20 SEER2 Single Zone Wall Mount Mini Split Heat Pump System - R32 | 230VSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Frequency, Maximum breaker size, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Voltage and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for ACIQ-K18Z-32-HP230B / ACIQ-K18W-W-32-HP230BSourced - AHRI directory
Covers AHRI certification number, Rated cooling capacity, COP at 5F, EER2, Rated heating capacity, HSPF2 (Region 4) and more
- ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR exact row check for AHRI 218451497Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Jul 26, 2026