LG / ARTCOOL Premier R-32
LG ARTCOOL Premier 18k R-32 230V Mini-Split
The LG Art Cool Premier 18k brings the designer line to 1.5 tons: SEER2 24, EER2 14.4, HSPF2 11, holding 21,600 BTU of heat from 47F down to 5F on R-32. It pairs strong efficiency with heavy, flat deep-cold output for a large room - a genuine primary heat source in a cold climate.
Refrigerant generation
R-32 - current-generation refrigerant
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Image: LG
- Last sourced
- Jul 23, 2026
SplitAtlas score
9.1 / 10
(24.0 SEER2) among 18k systems
(11.0 HSPF2) among 18k systems
(100% heat retained at 5F; -13 F heating floor) among 18k systems
(-49 dBA indoor min / 56 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(4 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
Best for / skip if
Best for
- High-efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 24.
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 208/230V; MCA 17 A; breaker/fuse 19 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 24.6 ft; max 164 ft.
Availability and price context
- Verified current price: $2,888.00 at HVACDirect; availability in_stock; checked Jul 23, 2026. Dealer-installation condition: The online source must be expressly authorized by LG; the system must also satisfy LG's qualified-system installation terms..
Purchase channel policy
LG allows the online-purchase path only when the online source is expressly authorized by LG; an online purchase from a non-authorized source voids the limited warranty.
- Warranty impact
- The limited warranty is void and LG has no liability when the system is purchased online from a source not expressly authorized by LG.
- Installation condition
- The online source must be expressly authorized by LG; the system must also satisfy LG's qualified-system installation terms.
- Authorized channel
- Expressly authorized LG source with qualified installation by a trained, licensed HVAC contractor under LG warranty terms.
Buying online can keep warranty coverage only when the seller is expressly authorized by LG; confirm that status and the qualified installation path before purchase.
Compare online-purchase warranty rules by brand
Source: LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.: LG R32 Residential / Light Commercial Systems Warranty Card; retrieved Aug 15, 2026.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Jul 23, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Jul 23, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 4
- Newest source retrieved
- Jul 23, 2026
Warranty tiers
Warranty: 5 years parts and 7 years compressor as standard; 10 years parts and compressor if qualified registered installation.
Model context
- Install path
- This is professional-install equipment; retail offer context is shown separately from installation labor. Brand purchase-channel policy is shown in the buyer review snapshot.
Strengths
- 21,600 BTU of heat held to 5F - substantial deep-cold capacity.
- SEER2 24 / HSPF2 11 - efficient for 1.5 tons.
- Designer Premier head; current R-32 refrigerant.
Weaknesses
- Designer premium over the High-Efficiency line at the same capacity.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -13 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 21,600 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 13,100 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 21,600 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- LG
- Brand
- LG
- Product line
- ARTCOOL Premier R-32
- Model number
- KNSAL181A indoor / KUSAL181A outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- KNSAL181A
- Outdoor unit model
- KUSAL181A
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 21,600 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 208/230V[1]
- MCA
- 17 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 19 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 24 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 14.4 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 11 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.9 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 14 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 118 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- cooling 30-49; heating 40-49 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 56 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 37.7 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 135.4 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-32[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- 65.28 oz[1]
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 3/8 in liquid / 5/8 in suction
- Included line-set length
- LG publishes field-supplied flared line sizes, standard/pre-charge length, and line limits; no included consumer line-set length is published for the professional system.
- Maximum line-set length
- 164 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- 98.4 ft[1]
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 215828275[2]
- Warranty
- Standard: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (standard coverage); Best case: 10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (qualified registered installation). Standard 5-year parts and 7-year compressor coverage; qualified registered installations extend to 10 years total parts and compressor coverage.
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- last seen at HVACDirect: $2,888.00
- Available retailers
- HVACDirect
- Manual links
- AHRI Directory public detail record 215828275, ENERGY STAR exact-match query for KUSAL181A/KNSAL181A, LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 engineering manual, LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 installation manual, LG HVAC API product metadata KSSAL181A, HVACDirect exact product page KSSAL181A, KSSAL181A LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 submittal, LG R32 Residential / Light Commercial Systems Warranty Card
- Specification sheet
- KSSAL181A LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 submittal
- Last sourced date
- Jul 23, 2026
Retail purchase context
Dealer-installation warranty note
Buying online can keep warranty coverage only when the seller is expressly authorized by LG; confirm that status and the qualified installation path before purchase.
Installation condition: The online source must be expressly authorized by LG; the system must also satisfy LG's qualified-system installation terms.
Dealer path: Expressly authorized LG source with qualified installation by a trained, licensed HVAC contractor under LG warranty terms.
Some retailer links may earn us a commission at no extra cost; paid relationships never change scores or recommendations. Affiliate disclosure
Paid link
Dealer-installation warranty note
Buying online can keep warranty coverage only when the seller is expressly authorized by LG; confirm that status and the qualified installation path before purchase.
Last seen at HVACDirect: $2,888
Electrical requirements
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- Voltage
- not published
- Voltage range
- 208/230V[1]
- Phase
- 1[1]
- Frequency
- 60 Hz[1]
- MCA
- 17 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- Maximum breaker size
- 19 A[1]
- Maximum fuse size
- not published
- Maximum cooling current
- not published
- Maximum heating current
- not published
- Manufacturer wire notes
- 14 AWG minimum four-conductor indoor-outdoor connection cable; field supplied[1]
Installation considerations
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- Liquid line
- 3/8 in[1]
- Suction line
- 5/8 in[1]
- Line connection type
- not published
- Precharged length
- 24.6 ft[1]
- Included line-set length
- LG publishes field-supplied flared line sizes, standard/pre-charge length, and line limits; no included consumer line-set length is published for the professional system.
- Maximum line-set length
- 164 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- not published
- Outdoor dimensions
- not published
- Indoor weight
- 37.7 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 135.4 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More LG systems
- LG sibling model
- LG High Efficiency R-32 18k 230V
- 4-Way Ceiling Cassette LGRED R-32 18k
- LG Mega R-32 18k 230V
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Do mini splits work in cold weather?
- LG mini split review: is LG any good?
- The best 18,000 BTU mini splits of 2026
- 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)
- LG mini split not heating
- Mini split not heating
- Mini split indoor unit freezing up
- Mini split condensate pump problems
- Mini split remote not working
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) myself, or do I need a pro?
- LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) 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 LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 21,600 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -13 F. Certified heating efficiency is 11 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 LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 208/230V voltage, 17 A minimum circuit ampacity, and 19 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 164 ft, and the included line set comes pre-charged for 24.6 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 LG ARTCOOL Premier R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Standard: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (standard coverage); Best case: 10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (qualified registered installation). Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
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- LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.: KSSAL181A submittalSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Frequency, electrical_spec.guaranteed_voltage_range, Maximum breaker size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Manufacturer wire notes and more
- AHRI: AHRI Directory public detail record 215828275Sourced - 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-match record for KUSAC091A/KNSAC091ASourced - secondary source
Covers Energy Star status
- LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.: LG R32 Residential / Light Commercial Systems Warranty CardSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Best-case compressor warranty, Best-case warranty conditions, Best-case parts warranty, Legacy compressor warranty value, Legacy warranty value, Standard compressor warranty and more
Last updated
Jul 23, 2026