Carrier / Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy
Carrier Infinity Legacy 12k A/A R-410A 208/230V Mini-Split
This legacy 12,000 BTU Infinity set (38MPRA / 40MPHA) runs older R-410A on 230V at 24 SEER2, 13.5 EER2, and 9.5 HSPF2. Its certified heating follows the unusual older-generation pattern: 12,000 BTU at 47F, dropping to 6,800 BTU at 17F, then back to 12,000 BTU at 5F. It is not ENERGY STAR certified and not cold-climate designated.

Image: Carrier
- Last sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
SplitAtlas score
8.4 / 10
(24.0 SEER2) among 12k systems
(9.5 HSPF2) among 12k systems
(100% heat retained at 5F) among 12k systems
(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(2 verified features) across the catalogue
(6 manuals; spec sheet) across the catalogue
Not evaluated
- Installation accessibility — not applicable (professional install)N/A
professional install - DIY-accessibility not applicable
- Price-to-value — not evaluatedN/A
quote-only - no retail price to evaluate
Key ratings
Buyer review snapshot
Best for / skip if
Best for
- High-efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 24.
Skip if
- You are shopping for a current-generation recommendation; catalog lifecycle is LEGACY.
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V.
Alternatives
- Daikin ATMOSPHERA 12,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FTXM12WVJU9 / RXM12WVJU9)
9.0 score / 12k / SEER2 25.2 / -13 F heating floor / 208/230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $2,848.00, checked Jul 23, 2026
- Blueridge XS6 Max Efficiency 12,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXS6A12WM0 / BXS6A12UC0)
8.9 score / 12k / SEER2 29.4 / -22 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at Alpine Home Air: $1,979.00, checked Jul 24, 2026
- Senville ELITE 12,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (SENE-12EL-IHH / SENE-12EL-OH)
8.9 score / 12k / SEER2 29.4 / -22 F heating floor / 187-253V
Exact destination at Senville: $1,699.99, checked Jul 24, 2026
Availability and price context
We could not verify a current retail price for this model. We could not find a published consumer price for this model when we last checked on 2026-07-27.
Purchase channel policy
Carrier's ductless warranty excludes products purchased over the Internet; buyers should treat public online carts as outside the warranty-covered purchase channel.
- Warranty consequence
- Warranty coverage does not apply to any product purchased over the Internet.
- Authorized channel
- Licensed HVAC technician installation with defective parts returned to the distributor through a registered servicing dealer; not an internet purchase.
Any online offer for this brand should be treated as a warranty-risk warning, not a recommendation.
Compare online-purchase warranty rules by brand
Source: Carrier Corporation: CAC/BDP Limited Warranty Certificate - Limited Warranty for Ductless Split Units; retrieved Aug 15, 2026.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 27, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 3
- Newest source retrieved
- Jul 27, 2026
Warranty tiers
Warranty: 10 years parts and no separate compressor term published as standard.
Strengths
- Reasonable 24 SEER2 for a legacy head, and certified 5F output returns to the full 12,000 BTU per the older data.
- Backed by Carrier's long-standing dealer and parts network for legacy service.
Weaknesses
- Uses phased-down R-410A; the current R-454B Infinity 27 12k is the modern equivalent to choose instead.
- The sharp dip to 6,800 BTU at 17F is an atypical certified pattern, and the unit is neither ENERGY STAR nor cold-climate rated.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Rated heating at 5F
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 6,800 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
ShowHide
- Manufacturer
- Carrier
- Brand
- Carrier
- Product line
- Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy
- Model number
- 40MPHAQ12XA3 indoor / 38MPRAQ12AA3 outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- 40MPHAQ12XA3
- Outdoor unit model
- 38MPRAQ12AA3
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 24 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 13.5 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 9.5 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.75 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Indoor noise range
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Outdoor noise rating
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Indoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Outdoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Refrigerant
- R-410A[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing liquid / No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing suction
- Included line-set length
- Professional installations use separately selected line sets
- Maximum line-set length
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Energy Star status
- Not ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 201753411[2]
- Warranty
- Standard: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (eligible timely registered residential installation). Consumer Choice Warranty: 10-year parts-only or 5-year parts plus 3-year labor for eligible timely registered residential installations; terms and participating dealer requirements apply.
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- We could not find a published consumer price for this model when we last checked on 2026-07-27.
- Available retailers
- not published
- Manual links
- AHRI public directory record 201753411, ENERGY STAR exact check 201753411, Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy installation documentation locator, Carrier Infinity 38MPR legacy R-410A heat pump, HVACDirect exact Carrier offer check carrier-infinity-38mpra-40mpha-legacy-12k-r410a-230v, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 201753411
- Specification sheet
- AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 201753411
- Last sourced date
- Jul 27, 2026
Electrical requirements
ShowHide
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- Voltage range
- 208/230V[1]
- Phase
- 1[1]
- Frequency
- 60 Hz[1]
- MCA
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Breaker needed
- not published
- Maximum breaker size
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Maximum fuse size
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Maximum cooling current
- not published
- Maximum heating current
- not published
- Manufacturer wire notes
- not published
Installation considerations
ShowHide
- Liquid line
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Suction line
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Line connection type
- not published
- Precharged length
- not published
- Included line-set length
- Professional installations use separately selected line sets
- Maximum line-set length
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Outdoor dimensions
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Indoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Outdoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Carrier systems
- Carrier 230 V option
- Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHB legacy 12k 230V
Previous generation
- Carrier Infinity 27 12k 230V
- Carrier 115 V option
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Carrier mini split review: is Carrier any good?
- The best 12,000 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)
- Mini split for a hot upstairs
- Mini splits for an ADU or tiny home
- Do mini splits use gas or electric?
- Mini split vs furnace: heating cost, comfort, and when each wins
- Mini split remote not working
- Mini split Wi-Fi not connecting
- Mini split not heating
- Mini split weak airflow
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy 12,000 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MPHAQ12XA3 / 38MPRAQ12AA3) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy 12,000 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MPHAQ12XA3 / 38MPRAQ12AA3) 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 Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy 12,000 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MPHAQ12XA3 / 38MPRAQ12AA3) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 12,000 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Certified heating efficiency is 9.5 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 Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy 12,000 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MPHAQ12XA3 / 38MPRAQ12AA3) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing minimum circuit ampacity, and No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing 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 No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing. 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 Carrier Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHA legacy 12,000 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MPHAQ12XA3 / 38MPRAQ12AA3) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Standard: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (eligible timely registered residential installation). Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
ShowHide
- Carrier Corporation: Carrier Infinity 38MPRB legacy R-410A heat pumpSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Frequency, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range, Legacy warranty value, Standard compressor warranty status and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 38MPRAQ12AA3 / 40MPHAQ12XA3Sourced - AHRI directory
Covers AHRI certification number, performance_spec.cold_climate_designation, Rated cooling capacity, COP at 5F, EER2, Rated heating capacity and more
- ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR exact row check for AHRI 201753411Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Jul 27, 2026