Della / Vario Series
Della Vario 18k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
The Vario 18k is a 1.5-ton unit with solid all-around numbers and dependable cold output. It rates SEER2 21, EER2 10.5, and HSPF2 9.5, heating 18,000 BTU/h at 47F and 12,500 BTU/h at 5F. It fits a medium room in a mixed climate.
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
Paid link
$1,050 / Fresh price - checked Jul 24, 2026
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Image: Della
- Last sourced
- Jul 24, 2026
SplitAtlas score
7.6 / 10
(21.0 SEER2) among 18k systems
(9.5 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(69.4% heat retained at 5F; -4 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(32 dBA indoor min / 55 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
(DIY-marketed; 25 ft precharged; 16.4 ft included line set) across the catalogue
(3 verified features) across the catalogue
($1,050 median retail) among 18k systems
(3 manuals; spec sheet) across the catalogue
Key ratings
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; breaker/fuse 20 A.
- Line set: Flared line connections; precharged 25 ft; included 16.4 ft; max 65 ft.
Alternatives
- Blueridge XS6 Max Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXS6A18WM0 / BXS6A18UC0)
9.0 score / 18k / SEER2 25.6 / -22 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at Alpine Home Air: $2,359.00, checked Jul 24, 2026
- Senville ELITE 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (SENE-18EL-IHH / SENE-18EL-OH)
8.9 score / 18k / SEER2 25.6 / -22 F heating floor / 187-253V
Exact destination at Senville: $1,899.99, checked Jul 24, 2026
- ACiQ Standard 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (ACIQ-18WS-HP230C / ACIQ-18ZS-HP230C)
8.8 score / 18k / SEER2 24 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $1,299.99, checked Jul 26, 2026
Availability and price context
- Verified current price: $1,049.96 at Della; availability in_stock; checked Jul 24, 2026.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Jul 24, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 24, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 4
- Newest source retrieved
- Jul 24, 2026
Model context
- Structured ratings
- Certification: ENERGY STAR certified. Refrigerant: current low-GWP R-454B. Minimum heating ambient: -4 F.
Strengths
- SEER2 21 is efficient for a 1.5-ton unit, with HSPF2 9.5 for the heating season.
- Retains 12,500 BTU/h at 5F, respectable cold-weather output.
Weaknesses
- Not ENERGY STAR certified, which rules out rebates requiring certification.
- Della's dealer and service footprint is smaller than that of established premium brands.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -4 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 12,500 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 13,000 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- Della
- Brand
- Della
- Product line
- Vario Series
- Model number
- 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN indoor / 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN
- Outdoor unit model
- 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
- Rated heating capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[3]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- not published - manufacturer specifies 20 A breaker
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- 20 A[1]
- SEER2
- 21 SEER2[3]
- EER2
- 10.5 EER2[3]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 9.5 HSPF2[3]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.8 COP[3]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -4 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- not published
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 122 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- 32 - 49 dBA[2]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 55 dBA[2]
- Indoor weight
- 27.6 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 70.5 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[3]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 3/8 in suction
- Included line-set length
- 16.4 ft[1]
- Maximum line-set length
- 65 ft[2]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 49 ft[2]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- not published
- Energy Star status
- Not ENERGY STAR certified[4]
- AHRI certification number
- 217568617[3]
- Warranty
- not published
- Install path
- Professional install / DIY-marketed
- Marketing install label
- DIY-marketed
- Retail price
- $1,049.96
- Available retailers
- Della
- Manual links
- AHRI Appendix M1 public detail record 217568617, Vario Series installation and operation guide, Vario 18,000 BTU Della product-page specifications
- Specification sheet
- Vario 18,000 BTU Della product-page specifications
- Last sourced date
- Jul 24, 2026
Retail purchase context
Some retailer links may earn us a commission at no extra cost; paid relationships never change scores or recommendations. Affiliate disclosure
Paid link
$1,050 / Fresh price - checked Jul 24, 2026
Electrical requirements
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- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- Voltage range
- 208/230V[1]
- Phase
- 1[1]
- Frequency
- not published
- MCA
- not published - manufacturer specifies 20 A breaker
- Breaker needed
- 20 A[1]
- Maximum breaker size
- not published
- Maximum fuse size
- 20 A[1]
- Maximum cooling current
- not published
- Maximum heating current
- not published
- Manufacturer wire notes
- not published
Installation considerations
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- Liquid line
- 1/4 in[1]
- Suction line
- 3/8 in[1]
- Line connection type
- Flared line connections[2]
- Precharged length
- 25 ft[2]
- Included line-set length
- 16.4 ft[1]
- Maximum line-set length
- 65 ft[2]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 39.75 in W x 12.38 in H x 8.69 in D[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 34 in W x 23.69 in H x 13.75 in D[1]
- Indoor weight
- 27.6 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 70.5 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Della systems
- Della 230 V option
- Della 18k model
- Della Umbra Series 18k 230V
- Friedrich Floating Air Pro 18k 230V
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Della mini split review: is Della any good?
- The best 18,000 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)
- R-32 vs R-454B: the mini split refrigerant change explained
- What size mini split do I need for a garage?
- Mini splits for a workshop or shop
- Mini splits for new construction
- Mini split remote not working
- Mini split Wi-Fi not connecting
- Your mini split is showing a refrigerant leak code
- Mini split condensate pump problems
- Mini split indoor unit freezing up
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Della Vario 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN / 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Della Vario 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN / 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT) 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 Della Vario 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN / 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 12,500 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -4 F. 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 Della Vario 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (048-TL-18K2VB-21S-IN / 048-TL-18K2VB-21S-OUT) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, not published - manufacturer specifies 20 A breaker 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 65 ft, and the included line set comes pre-charged for 25 ft. Longer runs than the included set allows typically mean added refrigerant and a pro visit, so measure the planned routing before ordering.
Data sources
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- Della: DELLA Vario Series 18000 BTU 21 SEER2 Mini Split Heat Pump AC - Up to 1000 Sq.Ft. official product pageSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Breaker needed, Maximum fuse size, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range, Included line-set length and more
- Della: Vario Series installation and operation guideSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Indoor noise range, Line connection type, Maximum elevation difference, Maximum line-set length, Outdoor noise rating, Precharged length
- AHRI certificate #217568617 - search the AHRI DirectorySourced - AHRI directory
Covers AHRI certification number, Rated cooling capacity, COP at 5F, EER2, Rated heating capacity, HSPF2 (Region 4) and more
- ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR exact row check for AHRI 215864147Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Jul 24, 2026