Midea / Midea Essence
Midea Essence 36k R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
The largest Essence is a 3-ton head cooling 36,000 BTU at 19.5 SEER2, with a low 9.4 EER2 and 9.1 HSPF2 on R-454B. It is neither ENERGY STAR certified nor cold-climate designated, and heating runs 36,000 BTU at 47F, 25,600 BTU at 17F, and 24,000 BTU at 5F. This is maximum value-line capacity, with efficiency clearly the compromise.
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
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Image: Midea Ductless
- Last sourced
- Jul 27, 2026
SplitAtlas score
7.5 / 10
(19.5 SEER2) among 36k systems
(9.1 HSPF2) among 36k systems
(66.7% heat retained at 5F; 5 F heating floor) among 36k systems
(10 yr parts / 10 yr compressor) across the catalogue
(2 verified features) across the catalogue
(6 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
Best-fit use cases
Reserve for a large space in a mild climate where a buyer needs the most capacity the value line offers and prioritizes price over efficiency.
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
- Electrical: 230V.
- Line set: connection type not sourced; max 164 ft.
Alternatives
- Cosmo Series 33,600 BTU R-32 208/230V (GWH36ATEXH-D6DN*/I / GWH36ATEXH-D6DNA1G/O)
8.2 score / 33.6k / SEER2 21 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at TOSOT Direct: $2,499.00, checked Jul 24, 2026
- GREE Livo R32 36,000 BTU (230V)
8.0 score / 33.6k / SEER2 21 / -13 F heating floor / 208/230V
Exact destination at HVACDirect: $4,059.00, checked Jul 21, 2026
- Pioneer Quantum Ultra Four-Way Ceiling Cassette 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CB036GMSILDFHG / YN036GMSI20RUG)
8.0 score / 36k / SEER2 20 / -13 F heating floor / 230V
Exact destination at Pioneer: $3,873.00, checked Aug 2, 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: 10 years parts and no separate compressor term published if timely registration.
Strengths
- Big 36,000 BTU output for large spaces from a single budget head.
- Retains 24,000 BTU of heat at 5F despite lacking a cold-climate rating.
- Low-GWP R-454B refrigerant and Midea's OEM-scale build.
Weaknesses
- Low 9.4 EER2 and no ENERGY STAR certification - weak peak-cooling efficiency.
- Not cold-climate designated, with heating that steps down below 47F.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- 5 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 24,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 25,600 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 36,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
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- Manufacturer
- Midea
- Brand
- Midea
- Product line
- Midea Essence
- Model number
- D5FEHAH36XCK indoor / D5CERAH36AAK outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- D5FEHAH36XCK
- Outdoor unit model
- D5CERAH36AAK
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 36,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 36,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Breaker needed
- not published
- SEER2
- 19.5 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 9.4 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 9.1 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- not published
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 2.02 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- 5 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 5 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 122 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Outdoor noise rating
- 52.5 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Outdoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing liquid / No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing suction
- Included line-set length
- Professional installations use separately selected line sets
- Maximum line-set length
- 164 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- Wi-Fi support is not published for this exact pair
- Energy Star status
- Not ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 215413308[2]
- Warranty
- Best case: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (timely registration). 10-year parts limited warranty upon timely 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
- ENERGY STAR exact check 215413308, Essence installation documentation listing, Essence high-wall indoor product page, Midea Essence Series Single-Zone Heat Pump, HVACDirect exact Midea offer check midea-essence-36k-r454b-230v, AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215413308
- Specification sheet
- AHRI Appendix M1 public detail 215413308
- Last sourced date
- Jul 27, 2026
Electrical requirements
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- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- Voltage range
- 208/230V[1]
- Phase
- 1[1]
- Frequency
- 60 Hz[1]
- MCA
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Breaker needed
- not published
- Maximum breaker size
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Maximum fuse size
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Maximum cooling current
- not published
- Maximum heating current
- not published
- Manufacturer wire notes
- not published
Installation considerations
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- Liquid line
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Suction line
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Line connection type
- not published
- Precharged length
- not published
- Included line-set length
- Professional installations use separately selected line sets
- Maximum line-set length
- 164 ft[1]
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Outdoor dimensions
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Indoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Outdoor weight
- No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing
- Drain size
- not published
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- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Midea Essence 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5FEHAH36XCK / D5CERAH36AAK) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Midea Essence 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5FEHAH36XCK / D5CERAH36AAK) 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 Midea Essence 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5FEHAH36XCK / D5CERAH36AAK) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 24,000 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to 5 F. Certified heating efficiency is 9.1 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 Midea Essence 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5FEHAH36XCK / D5CERAH36AAK) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing minimum circuit ampacity, and No model-specific value is published on the current consumer product listing 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. 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 Midea Essence 36,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (D5FEHAH36XCK / D5CERAH36AAK) carry?
- The manufacturer publishes these warranty tiers: Best case: 10 yr parts / no separate compressor term (timely registration). Registration requirements and proof of qualified installation commonly affect coverage, so read the warranty terms before install day.
Data sources
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- Midea America Corp.: Midea Essence Series Single-Zone Heat PumpSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Frequency, Phase, Voltage, Voltage range, Maximum line-set length, Outdoor noise rating and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Appendix M1 public detail for D5CERAH36AAK / D5FEHAH36XCKSourced - 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 215413308Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Jul 27, 2026