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Carrier / Performance 26

Carrier Performance 26 18k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split

Certified capacity
18,000 BTU/h[2]
SEER2
23.5 SEER2[2]
Heating floor
-13 F[1]
Voltage
230 V[1]
Install path
Professional install

This 18,000 BTU Performance 26 uses R-454B on 230V and delivers 23.5 SEER2, 12.8 EER2, and 10.8 HSPF2. Heating is 18,000 BTU at 47F, 15,000 BTU at 17F, and 12,800 BTU at 5F. It is ENERGY STAR certified and cold-climate designated.

1 zoneProfessional installCurrent

Refrigerant generation

R-454B - current-generation refrigerant

Error Codes
Carrier Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3)

Image: Carrier

Data completeness: 100%
Last sourced
Jul 27, 2026

SplitAtlas score

8.9 / 10

Methodology
Cooling efficiencyTop quartile

(23.5 SEER2) among 18k systems

Heating efficiencyTop quartile

(10.8 HSPF2) among 18k systems

Cold-weather performanceBelow average

(71.1% heat retained at 5F; -13 F heating floor) among 18k systems

NoiseTop quartile

(-45 dBA indoor min / 58 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems

WarrantyAbove average

(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue

Feature setTop 10%

(7 verified features) across the catalogue

Documentation & partsBelow average

(8 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

Rated cooling

18,000BTU/h[2]

Rated heating

18,000BTU/h[2]

Buyer review snapshot

Best for / skip if

Best for

  • High-efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 23.5.

Install difficulty

Professional install
  • Electrical: 230V; MCA 18 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
  • Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 24.6 ft; max 98.42 ft.

Alternatives

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 23, 2026
Source-backed records
5
Newest source retrieved
Jul 27, 2026

Warranty tiers

Warranty: 10 years parts and no separate compressor term published as standard.

Review methodology

Model context

Structured ratings
Certification: ENERGY STAR certified and AHRI cold-climate designated. Refrigerant: current low-GWP R-454B. Minimum heating ambient: -13 F.

Strengths

  • Cold-climate certified with strong retention, holding 12,800 BTU at 5F from an 18,000 BTU rating.
  • ENERGY STAR listed at a versatile 1.5-ton size, backed by Carrier's dealer and warranty support.

Weaknesses

  • EER2 of 12.8 is good but not exceptional against the Infinity series for peak-load efficiency.
  • 230V only, so it needs the appropriate circuit at install.

Climate suitability

Minimum heating ambient
-13 F[1]
Rated heating at 5F
12,800 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating at 17F
15,000 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating at 47F
18,000 BTU/h[2]

Specifications

Show
Manufacturer
Carrier
Brand
Carrier
Product line
Performance 26
Model number
45MAHAQ18XA3 indoor / 37MARAQ18AA3 outdoor
Indoor unit model
45MAHAQ18XA3
Outdoor unit model
37MARAQ18AA3
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
18 A[1]
Maximum fuse or breaker size
20 A[1]
Breaker needed
not published
SEER2
23.5 SEER2[2]
EER2
12.8 EER2[2]
HSPF2 (Region 4)
10.8 HSPF2[2]
HSPF2 (Region 5)
not published
COP
not published
COP at 47F
3.5 COP[1]
COP at 5F
2.1 COP[1]
Minimum outdoor heating temperature
-13 F[1]
Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
-13 F[1]
Maximum outdoor temperature
122 F[1]
Indoor noise range
19.5-45 dB(A)[1]
Outdoor noise rating
58 dBA[1]
Indoor weight
27.12 lb[1]
Outdoor weight
92.59 lb[1]
Refrigerant
R-454B[1]
Refrigerant charge
48 oz[1]
Manufacturer coverage
not published
Line-set size
1/4 in liquid / 1/2 in suction
Included line-set length
Professional installations use separately selected line sets
Maximum line-set length
98.42 ft[1]
Max line set per indoor
not published
Maximum elevation difference
65.62 ft[1]
Max height between indoor units
not published
Wi-Fi support
supported[1]
Energy Star status
ENERGY STAR certified[3]
AHRI certification number
215323751[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 215323751, ENERGY STAR exact check 215323751, Carrier Performance 26 R-454B heat-pump installation manual, Performance 26 installation documentation locator, Carrier Performance 26 Mini Split Heat Pump, 45MAHAQ18XA3 & 37MARAQ18AA3 Carrier Performance 26 product data, HVACDirect exact Carrier offer check carrier-performance-26-18k-r454b-230v, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215323751
Specification sheet
AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215323751
Last sourced date
Jul 27, 2026

Electrical requirements

Show
Voltage
230 V[1]
Voltage range
208/230V[1]
Phase
1[1]
Frequency
60 Hz[1]
MCA
18 A[1]
Breaker needed
not published
Maximum breaker size
20 A[1]
Maximum fuse size
20 A[1]
Maximum cooling current
not published
Maximum heating current
not published
Manufacturer wire notes
14/3 stranded copper indoor-outdoor power/communication wiring[1]

Installation considerations

Show
Liquid line
1/4 in[1]
Suction line
1/2 in[1]
Line connection type
not published
Precharged length
24.6 ft[1]
Included line-set length
Professional installations use separately selected line sets
Maximum line-set length
98.42 ft[1]
Max line set per indoor
not published
Max height between indoor units
not published
Indoor dimensions
37.99 x 9.41 x 12.56 in[1]
Outdoor dimensions
35.04 x 13.46 x 26.5 in[1]
Indoor weight
27.12 lb[1]
Outdoor weight
92.59 lb[1]
Drain size
not published

Related systems and guides

Frequently asked questions

Can I install the Carrier Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3) myself, or do I need a pro?
Carrier Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3) 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 Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3) 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 Carrier Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3) 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 98.42 ft, and the included line set comes pre-charged for 24.6 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 Carrier Performance 26 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ18XA3 / 37MARAQ18AA3) 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

Show
  1. Carrier Corporation: 45MAHAQ09XA3 & 37MARAQ09AA3 Carrier Performance 26 product dataSourced - manufacturer technical document

    Covers Frequency, electrical_spec.guaranteed_voltage_range, Maximum breaker size, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase and more

  2. AHRI Directory: AHRI public directory record 215323751Sourced - AHRI directory

    Covers AHRI certification number, performance_spec.cold_climate_designation, Rated cooling capacity, EER2, Rated heating capacity, HSPF2 (Region 4) and more

  3. ENERGY STAR Certified Products: ENERGY STAR record 3555731 for 37MARAQ18AA3 / 45MAHAQ18XA3Sourced - Energy Star listing

    Covers Energy Star status

  4. Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 37MARAQ18AA3 / 45MAHAQ18XA3Sourced - AHRI directory

    Covers system.lifecycle_status

  5. Carrier Corporation: Carrier Performance 26 Mini Split Heat PumpSourced - manufacturer product page

    Covers Legacy warranty value, Standard compressor warranty status, Standard warranty conditions, Standard parts warranty, Warranty notes

Last updated

Jul 23, 2026