Blueridge / Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency
Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
Scaling up to 18,000 BTU, this High Efficiency head pairs 23.5 SEER2 and 12.7 EER2 with a 10.8 HSPF2 on R-454B. It's ENERGY STAR certified and cold-climate designated, delivering 18,000 BTU at 47F, 15,000 BTU at 17F, and 12,800 BTU at 5F. It's a premium-efficiency choice for a larger cold-climate space.
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
Paid link
$1,669 / Fresh price - checked Jul 24, 2026
Need this installed?
Get installation quotes- Last sourced
- Aug 29, 2026
SplitAtlas score
8.5 / 10
(23.5 SEER2) among 18k systems
(10.8 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(71.1% heat retained at 5F; -13 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(20 dBA indoor min / 58 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
(5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(6 verified features) across the catalogue
($1,669 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
Buyer review snapshot
Best for / skip if
Best for
- High-efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 23.5.
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 18 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
- Line set: Flared line connections; precharged 25 ft; max 98.4 ft.
Alternatives
- Senville ELITE 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (SENE-18EL-IHH / SENE-18EL-OH)
8.9 score / 18k / SEER2 25.6 / -22 F heating floor / 187-253V
Exact destination at Senville: $1,899.99, checked Jul 24, 2026
- ACiQ Standard 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (ACIQ-18WS-HP230C / ACIQ-18ZS-HP230C)
8.8 score / 18k / SEER2 24 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $1,299.99, checked Jul 26, 2026
- ACiQ Extreme 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (ACIQ-18W-HH-MD / ACIQ-18ZPL-HP230C)
8.8 score / 18k / SEER2 21.4 / -22 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $1,799.99, checked Jul 26, 2026
Availability and price context
- Verified current price: $1,669.00 at Alpine Home Air; availability Not published; checked Jul 24, 2026.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Aug 29, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 24, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 5
- Newest source retrieved
- Aug 29, 2026
Warranty tiers
Warranty: 5 years parts and 7 years compressor as standard.
Strengths
- Strong 23.5 SEER2 with cold-climate certification for efficient, reliable winter heat.
- Holds 15,000 BTU at 17F, excellent retention for an 18K head.
- ENERGY STAR certified on low-GWP R-454B refrigerant.
Weaknesses
- Output declines to 12,800 BTU at 5F, so extreme-cold sizing deserves attention.
- Blueridge's support footprint is smaller than premium brands, and this XS unit warrants a pro install.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -13 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 12,800 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 15,000 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- Blueridge
- Brand
- Blueridge
- Product line
- Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency
- Model number
- BXAFA18WM0 indoor / BXS3A18SC0 outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- BXAFA18WM0
- Outdoor unit model
- BXS3A18SC0
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- 18 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 23.5 SEER2[3]
- EER2
- 12.7 EER2[3]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 10.8 HSPF2[3]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 2.1 COP[3]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 122 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- 20 / 28 / 39 / 45 / 49 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 58 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 27.34 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 92.59 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[3]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 1/2 in suction
- Included line-set length
- Alpine Blueridge system pages can be paired with different line-set/accessory selections; the AHRI-certified indoor/outdoor pair has no single included line-set length.
- Maximum line-set length
- 98.4 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 65.6 ft[1]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[4]
- AHRI certification number
- 216997524[3]
- Warranty
- Standard: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (limited warranty terms). 5-year parts / 7-year compressor limited warranty
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- $1,669.00
- Available retailers
- Alpine Home Air
- Manual links
- AHRI public directory record 216997524, ENERGY STAR exact check 216997524, Blueridge BXS3A18SC0-18WM Alpine product page capture, Blueridge Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency product page line-set specifications, HVACDirect exact search outcome BXS3A18SC0-18WM, Blueridge BXS3A18SC0-18WM Alpine product-page specification grid
- Specification sheet
- Blueridge BXS3A18SC0-18WM Alpine product-page specification grid
- Last sourced date
- Aug 29, 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
$1,669 / Fresh price - checked Jul 24, 2026
Installation considerations
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- Liquid line
- 1/4 in[1]
- Suction line
- 1/2 in[1]
- Line connection type
- Flared line connections[2]
- Precharged length
- 25 ft[1]
- Included line-set length
- Alpine Blueridge system pages can be paired with different line-set/accessory selections; the AHRI-certified indoor/outdoor pair has no single included line-set length.
- Maximum line-set length
- 98.4 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 40.04 x 12.56 x 9.76 in[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 35.04 x 26.5 x 13.46 in[1]
- Indoor weight
- 27.34 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 92.59 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Blueridge systems
- Blueridge 18k model
- Blueridge XS5 All Climate Plus 18k 230V
- Blueridge 18k model
- Blueridge 18k model
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
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- Troubleshooting
- Do mini splits work in cold weather?
- Blueridge mini split review: is Blueridge any good?
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- Mini split not heating
- Mini split indoor unit freezing up
- Mini split remote not working
- 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 Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXAFA18WM0 / BXS3A18SC0) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXAFA18WM0 / BXS3A18SC0) 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 Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXAFA18WM0 / BXS3A18SC0) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 12,800 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -13 F. Certified heating efficiency is 10.8 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 Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXAFA18WM0 / BXS3A18SC0) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 18 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.
- How far can the outdoor unit be from the indoor head?
- The published maximum line-set length is 98.4 ft, and the included line set comes pre-charged for 25 ft. Longer runs than the included set allows typically mean added refrigerant and a pro visit, so measure the planned routing before ordering.
- What warranty does the Blueridge XS3 High Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXAFA18WM0 / BXS3A18SC0) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Standard: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (limited warranty terms). Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
ShowHide
- Alpine Home Air Products: Blueridge BXS6A09UC0-9WM Alpine product specification gridSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Maximum breaker size, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range and more
- Blueridge / Alpine Home Air Products: Flared line set and professional startup evidenceSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Line connection type
- AHRI certificate #216997524 - search the AHRI DirectorySourced - 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 216997533Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
- Blueridge / Alpine Home Air Products: Flared line set and professional startup evidenceSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers system.diy_status, system.installation_type, system.sales_intent
Last updated
Jul 24, 2026