Friedrich / Floating Air Select
Friedrich Floating Air Select 18k R-32 208/230V Mini-Split
The best-rounded Select unit, this 18,000 BTU 230V head pairs R-32 with 21 SEER2, 11.95 EER2, and 9.8 HSPF2, and it does earn ENERGY STAR. Heating runs 18,000 BTU at 47F, 14,800 BTU at 17F, and 13,700 BTU at 5F. Though not cold-climate certified, it holds its heat more gracefully than the rest of the value line.
Refrigerant generation
R-32 - current-generation refrigerant
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Image: National Appliance Warehouse
- Last sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
SplitAtlas score
8.1 / 10
(21.0 SEER2) among 18k systems
(9.8 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(5F certified capacity: 76.1% of the 47F rating; -5 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(36 dBA indoor min / 56 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
(7 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(6 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
This is a professionally installed, quote-only system, so we can't score its price. Get an installed quote to compare real cost.
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Key ratings
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 14.5 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 24.6 ft; max 98.4 ft.
Alternatives
- Blueridge XS6 Max Efficiency 18,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (BXS6A18WM0 / BXS6A18UC0)
9.2 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)
9.0 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)
9.0 score / 18k / SEER2 24 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $1,299.99, checked Jul 26, 2026
Availability and price context
This system needs a professional install, so its real price is an installed quote that depends on your home. We don't link to a listing for this exact model; get installation quotes to price it.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 23, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 4
- Newest source retrieved
- Jul 23, 2026
Warranty tiers
- Registered
- 7 yr parts / 10 yr compressor - registration
The score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.
Strengths
- ENERGY STAR certified with the strongest efficiency numbers of the Select line (21 SEER2, 11.95 EER2).
- Retains a reasonable 13,700 BTU at 5F, a gentler taper than its Select siblings.
- Low-GWP R-32 refrigerant plus Friedrich's dealer and warranty support.
Weaknesses
- Not cold-climate designated, so its 5F output is not a guaranteed cold-climate figure and shouldn't anchor a harsh-winter sizing.
- 230V and dealer-quoted, without one-click retail pricing.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -5 F[1]
- Certified heating at 5F
- 13,700 BTU/h[2]
- Maximum heating at 5F (manufacturer)
- 15,000 BTU/h[1]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 14,800 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- Friedrich
- Brand
- Friedrich
- Product line
- Floating Air Select
- Model number
- FAHFW18A3D indoor / FSHSR18B3D outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- FAHFW18A3D
- Outdoor unit model
- FSHSR18B3D
- 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
- 14.5 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 21 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 11.95 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 9.8 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- 3.91 COP[1]
- COP at 5F
- 2.5 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -5 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 5 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 118 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- 36-48 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 56 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 32 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 86 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-32[1]
- Refrigerant charge
- 45.9 oz[1]
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 1/2 in suction
- Included line-set length
- Friedrich Floating Air professional-install sources publish required refrigerant line-set sizes and allowed min/max lengths, but no included line set.
- Maximum line-set length
- 98.4 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 49.2 ft[1]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 215792216[2]
- Warranty
- Registered: 7 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (registration). Score uses Registered.. 7-year limited parts warranty and 10-year compressor warranty with registration.
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- Installed quote only
- Available retailers
- not published
- Manual links
- AHRI public directory record 215792216, ENERGY STAR record 3995711 for FSHSR18B3D / FAHFW18A3D, Friedrich Floating Air manufacturer page snapshot, Friedrich Floating Air ductless 2026 brochure, Friedrich Floating Air Select wall-mounted single-zone submittal, Friedrich Floating Air ductless warranty
- Specification sheet
- Friedrich Floating Air ductless 2026 brochure
- Last sourced date
- Jul 27, 2026
Electrical requirements
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Installation considerations
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- 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
- Friedrich Floating Air professional-install sources publish required refrigerant line-set sizes and allowed min/max lengths, but no included line set.
- Maximum line-set length
- 98.4 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 45-2/8 x 13-2/8 x 10-1/8 in[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 31-7/8 x 23 x 11 in[1]
- Indoor weight
- 32 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 86 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Friedrich systems
- Friedrich Floating Air Pro X 18k R-454B 208/230V 2-Zone Mini-Split
- Fujitsu AIRSTAGE Altair 300 18k R-32 208/230V Mini-Split
- Friedrich Floating Air Pro 24k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
- Friedrich Floating Air Pro X 18k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- 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
- How to reset a mini split
- Mini splits for high or vaulted ceilings
- Mini split remote not working
- Mini split Wi-Fi not connecting
- Mini split not heating
- Mini split lights blinking
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Friedrich Floating Air Select 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3D) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Friedrich Floating Air Select 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3D) 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 Friedrich Floating Air Select 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3D) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The AHRI/ENERGY STAR certification lists 13,700 BTU/h of heating capacity at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -5 F. Certified heating efficiency is 9.8 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 Friedrich Floating Air Select 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3D) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 14.5 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 98.4 ft. The outdoor unit's factory charge covers up to 24.6 ft of line; longer runs need added refrigerant. Measure the planned routing before ordering.
- What warranty does the Friedrich Floating Air Select 18,000 BTU R-32 208/230V (FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3D) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Registered: 7 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (registration). Score uses Registered.. Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
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- Friedrich Air Conditioning Co.: FAHSW09A1C & FSHSR09B1C Friedrich Floating Air Select specificationsSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Frequency, Maximum breaker size, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Manufacturer wire notes and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI public detail 215792216 for FAHFW18A3D / FSHSR18B3DSourced - AHRI directory
Covers AHRI certification number, Rated cooling capacity, COP at 5F, EER2, Rated heating capacity, HSPF2 (Region 4) and more
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR: ENERGY STAR record 3995711 for FSHSR18B3D / FAHFW18A3DSourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
- Friedrich Air Conditioning Co.: Friedrich Floating Air ductless warrantySourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Legacy compressor warranty value, Legacy warranty value, Registered compressor warranty, Registered warranty conditions, Registered parts warranty, Warranty notes
Last updated
Jul 23, 2026