LG / High Efficiency R-32
LG High Efficiency 18k R-32 230V Mini-Split
The LG High-Efficiency 18k is the 1.5-ton value-efficiency unit: SEER2 23, EER2 13, HSPF2 10 on R-32, with 21,600 BTU of heat at 47F and 13,300 BTU at 17F (LG's submittal lists at most 15,120 BTU at 5F) - the Art Cool Mirror 18k's ratings in a standard head at a lower price. Strong large-room output without the designer premium.
Refrigerant generation
R-32 - current-generation refrigerant
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Image: LG
- Last sourced
- Jul 23, 2026
SplitAtlas score
not yet rated - data incomplete
- no scoring run is available
Key ratings
Buyer review snapshot
Best for / skip if
Best for
- High-efficiency shortlists; SEER2 is 23.
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 208/230V; MCA 17 A; breaker/fuse 30 A.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; precharged 24.6 ft; max 114.8 ft.
Availability and price context
- Last seen at HVACDirect on Jul 23, 2026: $2,759.00. Open the listing for today's price. Warranty 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
- 5
- Newest source retrieved
- Sep 13, 2026
Warranty tiers
- Base
- 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor - standard coverage
- Registered
- 10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor - registration within 60 days of startup, by an installer with current LG training and an HVAC license
The score uses Registered. Additional published terms are shown for reference and not counted in the score.
Model context
- Install path
- This is professional-install equipment; the listed price is for the equipment, so add installation labor. The Buyer review snapshot covers the brand's rules on online purchases.
Strengths
- 21,600 BTU at 47F and 13,300 BTU at 17F - strong output for a large room.
- SEER2 23 with current R-32 refrigerant; matches the pricier Mirror 18k.
- LG dealer support.
Weaknesses
- Plain indoor head; not as efficient as LG's Art Cool Premier at this size.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -4 F[1]
- Certified heating at 5F
- not published[4]disputed
- Maximum heating at 5F (manufacturer)
- 15,120 BTU/h[1]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 13,300 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 21,600 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- LG
- Brand
- LG
- Product line
- High Efficiency R-32
- Model number
- KNUAB181A indoor / KUSAB181A outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- KNUAB181A
- Outdoor unit model
- KUSAB181A
- 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
- 30 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 23 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 13 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 10 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
- -4 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 14 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 118 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- cooling 31-47; heating 37-47 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 55 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 0.4 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 127.9 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-32[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- 51.2 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
- 114.8 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
- 215413009[2]
- Warranty
- Base: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (standard coverage); Registered: 10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (registration within 60 days of startup, by an installer with current LG training and an HVAC license). Score uses Registered.. 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 on Jul 23, 2026: $2,759.00
- Available retailers
- HVACDirect
- Manual links
- AHRI Directory public detail record 215413009, ENERGY STAR exact-match query for KUSAB181A/KNUAB181A, LG High Efficiency R-32 engineering manual, LG High Efficiency R-32 installation manual, LG HVAC API product metadata KSUAB181A, HVACDirect exact product page KSUAB181A, KSUAB181A LG High Efficiency R-32 submittal, LG R32 Residential / Light Commercial Systems Warranty Card
- Specification sheet
- KSUAB181A LG High Efficiency 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 on Jul 23, 2026: $2,759
Electrical requirements
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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
- 114.8 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
- 0.4 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 127.9 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More LG systems
- LG ARTCOOL Premier 18k R-32 230V Mini-Split
- LG Mega 18k R-32 230V Mini-Split
- LG ARTCOOL Mirror 18k R-32 230V Mini-Split
- LG Mid Static Ducted 18k R-32 208/230V Mini-Split
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- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the LG High Efficiency R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) myself, or do I need a pro?
- LG High Efficiency 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 High Efficiency R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) keep heating in a cold winter?
- Rated heating operation extends down to -4 F. Certified heating efficiency is 10 HSPF2. Match that published heating floor against your climate's design temperature - below the low-ambient rating, output can fall off or the system can pause to protect itself.
- What electrical circuit does the LG High Efficiency R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 208/230V voltage, 17 A minimum circuit ampacity, and 30 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 114.8 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 LG High Efficiency R-32 18,000 BTU (230V) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Base: 5 yr parts / 7 yr compressor (standard coverage); Registered: 10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor (registration within 60 days of startup, by an installer with current LG training and an HVAC license). 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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- LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.: KSUAB181A submittalSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Frequency, electrical_spec.guaranteed_voltage_range, Maximum breaker size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase, Voltage range and more
- AHRI: AHRI Directory public detail record 215413009Sourced - 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
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Directory public detail record 215413009Sourced - AHRI directory
Covers Certified heating at 5F
- LG Electronics U.S.A., Inc.: LG R32 Residential / Light Commercial Systems Warranty CardSourced - manufacturer technical document
Covers Legacy compressor warranty value, Legacy warranty value, Registered compressor warranty, Registered warranty conditions, Registered parts warranty, Base compressor warranty and more
Last updated
Jul 23, 2026