Carrier / Performance 26
Carrier Performance 26 9k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
The 9,000 BTU Performance 26 is Carrier's mid-tier 230V head on R-454B, and it comes strong: 26 SEER2, 14.9 EER2, and a heating-focused 12.5 HSPF2. It heats to 10,000 BTU at 47F, 8,100 BTU at 17F, and 8,000 BTU at 5F, holding nearly flat in the cold. It is both ENERGY STAR certified and cold-climate designated.
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
Image: Carrier
- Last sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
SplitAtlas score
8.9 / 10
(26.0 SEER2) among <=9k systems
(12.5 HSPF2) among <=9k systems
(80% heat retained at 5F; -13 F heating floor) among <=9k systems
(-38 dBA indoor min / 52.5 dBA outdoor) among <=9k systems
(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(7 verified features) across the catalogue
(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
Buyer review snapshot
Best for / skip if
Best for
- Top efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 26.
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 12 A; breaker/fuse 15 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 24.6 ft; max 82.02 ft.
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 22, 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.
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
- Excellent 26 SEER2 and 12.5 HSPF2 for a small head, a clear step up from the Comfort tier.
- Cold-climate certified with a near-flat curve, giving up almost nothing between 17F and 5F.
- ENERGY STAR listed, so it qualifies for efficiency incentives where offered.
Weaknesses
- Heating tops out around 8,000 BTU at 5F, so it warms only a small space in deep cold.
- 230V only, requiring a dedicated circuit that a 115V room may lack.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -13 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 8,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 8,100 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 10,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- Carrier
- Brand
- Carrier
- Product line
- Performance 26
- Model number
- 45MAHAQ09XA3 indoor / 37MARAQ09AA3 outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- 45MAHAQ09XA3
- Outdoor unit model
- 37MARAQ09AA3
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 9,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 10,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- 12 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 15 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 26 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 14.9 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 12.5 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- 3.9 COP[1]
- COP at 5F
- 2.36 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 122 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- 19.5-38 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 52.5 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 23.37 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 62.17 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[1]
- Refrigerant charge
- 32.48 oz[1]
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 3/8 in suction
- Included line-set length
- Professional installations use separately selected line sets
- Maximum line-set length
- 82.02 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 49.21 ft[1]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 215323749[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 215323749, ENERGY STAR exact check 215323749, Carrier Performance 26 R-454B heat-pump installation manual, Performance 26 installation documentation locator, Carrier Performance 26 Mini Split Heat Pump, 45MAHAQ09XA3 & 37MARAQ09AA3 Carrier Performance 26 product data, HVACDirect exact Carrier offer check carrier-performance-26-9k-r454b-230v, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215323749
- Specification sheet
- AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215323749
- Last sourced date
- Jul 27, 2026
Electrical requirements
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- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- Voltage range
- 208/230V[1]
- Phase
- 1[1]
- Frequency
- 60 Hz[1]
- MCA
- 12 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- Maximum breaker size
- 15 A[1]
- Maximum fuse size
- 15 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
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- Liquid line
- 1/4 in[1]
- Suction line
- 3/8 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
- 82.02 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 31.30 x 8.86 x 11.61 in[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 30.12 x 11.93 x 21.85 in[1]
- Indoor weight
- 23.37 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 62.17 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Carrier systems
- Infinity 38MPRA/40MPHB legacy 9k
Previous generation
- Cooper & Hunter 230 V option
- Carrier sibling model
Previous generation
- Carrier 9k model
Previous generation
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Do mini splits work in cold weather?
- Carrier mini split review: is Carrier any good?
- The best 9,000 BTU mini splits of 2026
- The best cold-climate mini splits of 2026
- The best mini splits for heating of 2026
- Mini split heating capacity in the cold: what your unit actually delivers at 5F
- The mini split defrost cycle, explained
- The best DIY mini splits of 2026
- What "DIY mini split" actually means
- How to install a mini split (DIY overview)
- 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 leaking water
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Carrier Performance 26 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ09XA3 / 37MARAQ09AA3) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Carrier Performance 26 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ09XA3 / 37MARAQ09AA3) 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 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ09XA3 / 37MARAQ09AA3) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 8,000 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -13 F. Certified heating efficiency is 12.5 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 Performance 26 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ09XA3 / 37MARAQ09AA3) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 12 A minimum circuit ampacity, and 15 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 82.02 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 9,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (45MAHAQ09XA3 / 37MARAQ09AA3) 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
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- 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
- AHRI Directory: AHRI public directory record 215323749Sourced - 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 Certified Products: ENERGY STAR record 3555728 for 37MARAQ09AA3 / 45MAHAQ09XA3Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 37MARAQ09AA3 / 45MAHAQ09XA3Sourced - AHRI directory
Covers system.lifecycle_status
- Carrier Corporation: Performance 26 Mini Split Heat Pump manufacturer pageSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Legacy warranty value, Standard compressor warranty status, Standard warranty conditions, Standard parts warranty, Warranty notes
Last updated
Jul 22, 2026