GE Appliances / GE Altitude
GE Appliances GE Altitude 17k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
The Altitude 18k is a single-zone 17,000 BTU cooling heat pump on 230V with low-GWP R-454B refrigerant. It delivers 20 SEER2, 12 EER2, and 9.5 HSPF2, and it is ENERGY STAR certified and cold-climate designated. For heat it produces 19,000 BTU at 47F and holds 15,200 BTU at 5F, giving it strong deep-cold reserves for its size.
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
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- Last sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
SplitAtlas score
8.0 / 10
(20.0 SEER2) among 18k systems
(9.5 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(80% heat retained at 5F; -15 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(35 dBA indoor min / 58 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(6 verified features) across the catalogue
(8 manuals; spec sheet; 30 error-code rows) 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
Best-fit use cases
Well suited to a large living room, great room, or open kitchen-dining space in a cold climate that needs serious heating capacity from one head.
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 15 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; max 83 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
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.
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: 5 years parts and no separate compressor term published as standard; 10 years parts and no separate compressor term published if the system is registered.
Model context
- Structured ratings
- Certification: ENERGY STAR certified and AHRI cold-climate designated. Refrigerant: current low-GWP R-454B. Minimum heating ambient: -15 F.
Strengths
- Full 12 EER2 for good efficiency under peak load
- Cold-climate rated with a strong 15,200 BTU of heat at 5F
- ENERGY STAR certified
Weaknesses
- 20 SEER2 is respectable but lower than GE's smaller Altitude heads
- Indoor head is louder here, with a 35 dB(A) floor rather than the high 20s
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -15 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 15,200 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 12,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 19,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- GE Appliances
- Brand
- GE Appliances
- Product line
- GE Altitude
- Model number
- GS18WB2BEA indoor / 1G18AD2BEA outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- GS18WB2BEA
- Outdoor unit model
- 1G18AD2BEA
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 17,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 19,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- 15 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 20 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 12 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 9.5 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.8 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -15 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- -40 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 115 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- 50/46/44/40/35 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 58 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 27.802 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 90.467 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[2]
- 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
- not published
- Maximum line-set length
- 83 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 50 ft[1]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- not published
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 216968351[2]
- Warranty
- Standard: 5 yr parts / no separate compressor term (limited parts warranty); Best case: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (registered limited parts warranty). 5-year limited parts warranty; 10-year registered limited parts warranty with registration.
- 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 216968351, ENERGY STAR exact check 216968351, 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA GE installation instructions, 1G18AD2BEA GE Appliances Air & Water product page, GS18WB2BEA GE Appliances Air & Water product page, HVACDirect exact search 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA, 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA GE specification guide or submittal, 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA GE warranty
- Specification sheet
- 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA GE specification guide or submittal
- Last sourced date
- Jul 27, 2026
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
- not published
- Included line-set length
- not published
- Maximum line-set length
- 83 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 39.375 in W x 12.875 in H x 8.75 in D[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 35.375 in W x 25.25 in H x 12 in D[1]
- Indoor weight
- 27.802 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 90.467 lb[1]
- Drain size
- 5/8 in[1]
Related systems and guides
- More GE Appliances systems
- Della 17k model
- GE Appliances GE Caliber 17k 230V
- GE Appliances sibling model
- Cooper & Hunter Slim Duct 17k 230V
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Do mini splits work in cold weather?
- 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)
- R-32 vs R-454B: the mini split refrigerant change explained
- Mini split vs furnace: heating cost, comfort, and when each wins
- Mini split not heating
- Mini split indoor unit freezing up
- Mini split remote not working
- One room won't heat or cool on a multi-zone mini split
- Mini split making loud noise
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the GE Appliances Altitude 17,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS18WB2BEA / 1G18AD2BEA) myself, or do I need a pro?
- GE Appliances Altitude 17,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS18WB2BEA / 1G18AD2BEA) 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 GE Appliances Altitude 17,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS18WB2BEA / 1G18AD2BEA) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 15,200 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -15 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 GE Appliances Altitude 17,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS18WB2BEA / 1G18AD2BEA) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 15 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 83 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 GE Appliances Altitude 17,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (GS18WB2BEA / 1G18AD2BEA) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Standard: 5 yr parts / no separate compressor term (limited parts warranty); Best case: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (registered limited parts warranty). Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
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- GE Appliances Air & Water: 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEA GE Appliances product pagesSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Frequency, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for 1G18AD2BEA / GS18WB2BEASourced - 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: ENERGY STAR exact row check for AHRI 216968351Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Jul 27, 2026