SplitAtlas

Carrier / Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy

Carrier Performance Legacy 10.8k R-410A 208/230V Mini-Split

Certified capacity
10,800 BTU/h[2]
SEER2
20.3 SEER2[2]
Heating floor
No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
Voltage
230 V[1]
Install path
Professional install

The 230V version of this legacy 12,000 BTU Performance set (38MAQ / 40MAHB) uses older R-410A, rated 20.3 SEER2, 11.7 EER2, and 8.5 HSPF2. Its certified heating shows the older-generation dip-and-recover shape: 10,800 BTU at 47F, 7,500 BTU at 17F, then back to 10,800 BTU at 5F. It is not ENERGY STAR certified and not cold-climate designated.

1 zoneProfessional installLegacy
Error Codes
Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3)

Image: Carrier

Data completeness: 100%
Last sourced
Jul 27, 2026

SplitAtlas score

7.9 / 10

Methodology
Cooling efficiencyBelow average

(20.3 SEER2) among 12k systems

Heating efficiencyBottom quartile

(8.5 HSPF2) among 12k systems

Cold-weather performanceTop 10%

(100% heat retained at 5F) among 12k systems

WarrantyAbove average

(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) 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

    quote-only - no retail price to evaluate

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: 230V.

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 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.

Review methodology

Strengths

  • Slightly better efficiency than the 115V legacy version, and certified 5F output recovers to the full 10,800 BTU.
  • Carrier's dealer and warranty support remains available for legacy service.

Weaknesses

  • Built on phased-down R-410A with a modest 8.5 HSPF2; the current R-454B Performance 26 12k 230V is the replacement to consider.
  • No ENERGY STAR or cold-climate certification, and the dip at 17F is an atypical certified pattern to read cautiously.

Climate suitability

Minimum heating ambient
No model-specific value is published on the current Carrier consumer listing
Rated heating at 5F
10,800 BTU/h[2]
Rated heating at 17F
7,500 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
40MAHBQ12XA3 indoor / 38MAQB12R--3 outdoor
Indoor unit model
40MAHBQ12XA3
Outdoor unit model
38MAQB12R--3
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
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
20.3 SEER2[2]
EER2
11.7 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
1.62 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
206396031[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 206396031, ENERGY STAR exact check 206396031, Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy installation documentation locator, Carrier Performance 38MAQ legacy R-410A heat pump, HVACDirect exact Carrier offer check carrier-performance-38maq-40mahb-legacy-12k-r410a-230v, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 206396031
Specification sheet
AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 206396031
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
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

Show
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

Frequently asked questions

Can I install the Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3) myself, or do I need a pro?
Carrier Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3) 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 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3) keep heating in a cold winter?
The manufacturer publishes 10,800 BTU/h of heating output 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 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3) 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 Performance 38MAQ/40MAHB legacy 10,800 BTU R-410A 208/230V (40MAHBQ12XA3 / 38MAQB12R--3) 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: Carrier Performance 38MAQ legacy R-410A heat pumpSourced - manufacturer product page

    Covers Frequency, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range, Legacy warranty value, Standard compressor warranty status and more

  2. Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 38MAQB12R--3 / 40MAHBQ12XA3Sourced - 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 206396031Sourced - Energy Star listing

    Covers Energy Star status

Last updated

Jul 27, 2026