SplitAtlas

Carrier / Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy

Carrier Performance Legacy 10.8k R-410A 115V Mini-Split

Certified capacity
10,800 BTU/h[2]
SEER2
19.8 SEER2[2]
Heating floor
-4 F[4]
Voltage
115 V[1]
Install path
Professional install

A legacy 12,000 BTU Performance pairing (38MAQ / 40MAHB) on 115V using older R-410A, rated 19.8 SEER2, 11.3 EER2, and 8.5 HSPF2. Its certified heating declines steadily: 10,800 BTU at 47F, 7,600 BTU at 17F, and 5,400 BTU at 5F. It is not ENERGY STAR certified and not cold-climate designated.

1 zoneProfessional installLegacy

This brand doesn't honor its warranty on systems bought online. Buy it through a local contractor who installs it: get quotes from installers in your area, and ask whether they're an authorized dealer for this brand.

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Error Codes
Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1)

Image: Carrier

Data completeness: 100%
Last sourced
Jul 27, 2026

SplitAtlas score

7.2 / 10

Methodology
Cooling efficiencyBottom quartile

(19.8 SEER2) among 12k systems

Heating efficiencyBottom quartile

(8.5 HSPF2) among 12k systems

Cold-weather performanceBottom quartile

(5F certified capacity: 50% of the 47F rating; -4 F heating floor) among 12k systems

WarrantyAbove average

(10 yr parts, no separate compressor term) across the catalogue

Feature setBottom quartile

(2 verified features) across the catalogue

Documentation & partsBelow average

(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

    This is a professionally installed, quote-only system, so we can't score its price. Get an installed quote to compare real cost.

    Get a quote

Key ratings

Rated cooling

10,800BTU/h[2]

Rated heating

10,800BTU/h[2]

Buyer review snapshot

Best for / skip if

Skip if

  • You are shopping for a current-generation recommendation; catalog lifecycle is LEGACY.

Install difficulty

Professional install
  • Electrical: 115V.

Alternatives

Availability and price context

Carrier sells this system through authorized dealers and contractors, not online, and doesn't honor its warranty on systems bought online. Get installation quotes and ask whether the installer is an authorized Carrier dealer.

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
4
Newest source retrieved
Sep 11, 2026

Warranty tiers

Registered
10 yr parts / no separate compressor term - eligible timely registered residential installation
Dealer alternative
5 yr parts / no separate compressor term - Consumer Choice dealer alternative: 5-year parts plus 3-year labor through a participating dealer

The score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.

Review methodology

Strengths

  • 115V wiring makes it easy to install on a standard circuit for legacy replacements.
  • Supported by Carrier's long-standing dealer and parts network.

Weaknesses

  • Runs on phased-down R-410A, with a low 8.5 HSPF2 and heat falling to just 5,400 BTU at 5F.
  • Not ENERGY STAR or cold-climate certified; the current R-454B Performance 26 12k 115V is the modern equivalent to choose.

Climate suitability

Minimum heating ambient
-4 F[4]
Certified heating at 5F
5,400 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating at 17F
7,600 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating at 47F
10,800 BTU/h[2]

Specifications

Show
Manufacturer
Carrier
Brand
Carrier
Product line
Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy
Model number
40MAHBQ12XA1 indoor / 38MAQB12R--1 outdoor
Indoor unit model
40MAHBQ12XA1
Outdoor unit model
38MAQB12R--1
Number of zones
1
Max indoor units
not published
Rated cooling capacity
10,800 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating capacity
10,800 BTU/h[2]
Voltage
115 V[1]
MCA
Not published for this model
Maximum fuse or breaker size
Not published for this model
Breaker needed
not published
SEER2
19.8 SEER2[2]
EER2
11.3 EER2[2]
HSPF2 (Region 4)
8.5 HSPF2[2]
HSPF2 (Region 5)
not published
COP
not published
COP at 47F
not published
COP at 5F
1.69 COP[2]
Minimum outdoor heating temperature
-4 F[4]
Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
-4 F[4]
Maximum outdoor temperature
122 F[4]
Indoor noise range
Not published for this model
Outdoor noise rating
Not published for this model
Indoor weight
Not published for this model
Outdoor weight
Not published for this model
Refrigerant
R-410A[2]
Refrigerant charge
not published
Manufacturer coverage
not published
Line-set size
Not published for this model liquid / Not published for this model suction
Included line-set length
Professional installations use separately selected line sets
Maximum line-set length
Not published for this model
Max line set per indoor
not published
Maximum elevation difference
Not published for this model
Max height between indoor units
not published
Wi-Fi support
Not published for this model
Energy Star status
Not ENERGY STAR certified[3]
AHRI certification number
206396029[2]
Warranty
Registered: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (eligible timely registered residential installation); Dealer alternative: 5 yr parts / no separate compressor term (Consumer Choice dealer alternative: 5-year parts plus 3-year labor through a participating dealer). Score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.. 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
Authorized dealers only
Available retailers
not published
Manual links
AHRI public directory record 206396029, ENERGY STAR exact check 206396029, Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy installation documentation locator, Carrier Performance 38MAQ legacy R-410A heat pump, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 206396029
Specification sheet
AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 206396029
Last sourced date
Jul 27, 2026

Electrical requirements

Show
Voltage
115 V[1]
Voltage range
115V[1]
Phase
1[1]
Frequency
60 Hz[1]
MCA
Not published for this model
Breaker needed
not published
Maximum breaker size
Not published for this model
Maximum fuse size
Not published for this model
Maximum cooling current
not published
Maximum heating current
not published
Manufacturer wire notes
not published

Installation considerations

Show
Liquid line
Not published for this model
Suction line
Not published for this model
Line connection type
not published
Precharged length
not published
Included line-set length
Professional installations use separately selected line sets
Maximum line-set length
Not published for this model
Max line set per indoor
not published
Max height between indoor units
not published
Indoor dimensions
Not published for this model
Outdoor dimensions
Not published for this model
Indoor weight
Not published for this model
Outdoor weight
Not published for this model
Drain size
not published

Related systems and guides

Frequently asked questions

Can I install the Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1) myself, or do I need a pro?
Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1) 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 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1) keep heating in a cold winter?
The AHRI/ENERGY STAR certification lists 5,400 BTU/h of heating capacity at 5F. Certified heating efficiency is 8.5 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 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1) need?
Published electrical requirements: 115 V voltage. Confirm the final circuit against the unit nameplate and local code with a licensed electrician.
What warranty does the Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 115V (40MAHBQ12XA1 / 38MAQB12R--1) carry?
The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Registered: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (eligible timely registered residential installation); Dealer alternative: 5 yr parts / no separate compressor term (Consumer Choice dealer alternative: 5-year parts plus 3-year labor through a participating dealer). Score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.. Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.

Data sources

Show
  1. Carrier Corporation: Carrier Performance 38MAQ legacy R-410A heat pumpSourced - manufacturer product page

    Covers Frequency, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range, Additional compressor warranty status, Additional published warranty conditions and more

  2. Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 38MAQB12R--1 / 40MAHBQ12XA1Sourced - AHRI directory

    Covers AHRI certification number, performance_spec.cold_climate_designation, Rated cooling capacity, COP at 5F, EER2, Rated heating capacity and more

  3. ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR exact row check for AHRI 206396029Sourced - Energy Star listing

    Covers Energy Star status

  4. Carrier Corporation: 38MAQ Product Data (38MAQ-01PD)Sourced - manufacturer technical document

    Covers Minimum outdoor cooling temperature, Minimum outdoor heating temperature, Maximum outdoor temperature

Last updated

Jul 27, 2026