Pioneer / Quantum Ultra
Pioneer Quantum Ultra 16k Ceiling Cassette R-454B 208/230V Mini-Split
The Pioneer Quantum Ultra 16k ceiling cassette bridges the small and large cassette sizes with 20.5 SEER2, 18,000 BTU heating at 47F, and 13,200 BTU at 5F, but its 8.5 HSPF2 is the weak number.
1 zoneProfessional installCurrent
Refrigerant generation
R-454B - current-generation refrigerant
Paid link
$1,849 / Fresh price - checked Aug 2, 2026
Need this installed?
Get installation quotesData completeness: 100%
- Last sourced
- Aug 2, 2026
SplitAtlas score
7.5 / 10
Cooling efficiencyBelow average
(20.5 SEER2) among 18k systems
Heating efficiencyBottom quartile
(8.5 HSPF2) among 18k systems
Cold-weather performanceBelow average
(73.3% heat retained at 5F; -13 F heating floor) among 18k systems
NoiseBottom quartile
(34 dBA indoor min / 53 dBA outdoor) among 18k systems
Feature setAbove average
(6 verified features) across the catalogue
Price-to-performanceBelow average
($1,849 median retail) among 18k systems
Documentation & partsBelow average
(4 manuals; spec sheet) across the catalogue
Not evaluated
- Installation accessibility — not applicable (professional install)N/A
professional install - DIY-accessibility not applicable
Key ratings
Buyer review snapshot
Install difficulty
Professional install
- Electrical: 230V; MCA 20 A; breaker/fuse 20 A.
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
- Verified current price: $1,849.00 at Pioneer; availability in_stock; checked Aug 2, 2026.
Source date
- Model data sourced
- Aug 2, 2026
- Page reviewed
- Aug 12, 2026
- Source-backed records
- 3
- Newest source retrieved
- Aug 2, 2026
Warranty tiers
Warranty: up to 10-year Quantum Ultra warranty coverage
Model context
- Structured ratings
- Certification: ENERGY STAR certified and AHRI cold-climate designated. Refrigerant: current low-GWP R-454B. Minimum heating ambient: -13 F.
Strengths
- More cooling and airflow than the 12k cassette without moving to the 36k CYB platform.
- 20A breaker size is manageable for the output class.
- Complete Pioneer product data supports dimensions, weights, sound, and line sizes.
- 34 to 50 dB indoor sound range is clear and usable for planning.
Weaknesses
- HSPF2 8.5 is low compared with the Senville and Pioneer one-way alternatives.
- 5F output drops by more than a quarter from the 47F rating.
- Best used where ceiling distribution, not heating efficiency, is the reason to choose it.
Climate suitability
- Minimum heating ambient
- -13 F[1]
- Rated heating at 5F
- 13,200 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 17F
- 14,500 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating at 47F
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
Specifications
ShowHide
- Manufacturer
- Pioneer
- Brand
- Pioneer
- Product line
- Quantum Ultra
- Model number
- CT018GLSILCFHG indoor / YN018GLSI24RPG outdoor
- Indoor unit model
- CT018GLSILCFHG
- Outdoor unit model
- YN018GLSI24RPG
- Number of zones
- 1
- Max indoor units
- not published
- Rated cooling capacity
- 16,000 BTU/h[2]
- Rated heating capacity
- 18,000 BTU/h[2]
- Voltage
- 230 V[1]
- MCA
- 20 A[1]
- Maximum fuse or breaker size
- 20 A[1]
- Breaker needed
- 20 A[1]
- SEER2
- 20.5 SEER2[2]
- EER2
- 11 EER2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 4)
- 8.5 HSPF2[2]
- HSPF2 (Region 5)
- 7.4 HSPF2[1]
- COP
- not published
- COP at 47F
- not published
- COP at 5F
- 1.8 COP[2]
- Minimum outdoor heating temperature
- -13 F[1]
- Minimum outdoor cooling temperature
- 5 F[1]
- Maximum outdoor temperature
- 131 F[1]
- Indoor noise range
- ( Turbo/Hi/Med/Lo/Mute): 50 / 47 / 43 / 38 / 34 dB(A)[1]
- Outdoor noise rating
- 53 dBA[1]
- Indoor weight
- 32 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 90.4 lb[1]
- Refrigerant
- R-454B[2]
- Refrigerant charge
- not published
- Manufacturer coverage
- not published
- Line-set size
- 1/4 in liquid / 1/2 in suction
- Included line-set length
- Pioneer full-set product page offers multiple no-kit and line-set variants; no single included line-set length applies to the certified system pair.
- Maximum line-set length
- Pioneer product pages in the cached collection did not publish a single maximum line-set length for these full-set variants.
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Maximum elevation difference
- Pioneer product pages in the cached collection did not publish a single maximum elevation for these full-set variants.
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Wi-Fi support
- supported[1]
- Energy Star status
- ENERGY STAR certified[3]
- AHRI certification number
- 217048760[2]
- Warranty
- up to 10-year Quantum Ultra warranty coverage
- Install path
- Professional install
- Retail price
- $1,849.00
- Available retailers
- Pioneer
- Manual links
- AHRI Active row 217048760, 8-Way Ceiling Cassette installation requirements from Pioneer product technical table, Pioneer® Quantum Ultra™ 16,000 BTU 20.5 SEER2 230V 8-Way Ceiling Cassette Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Inverter Heat Pump Full Set official product page, Pioneer® Quantum Ultra™ 16,000 BTU 20.5 SEER2 230V 8-Way Ceiling Cassette Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Inverter Heat Pump Full Set official product-page technical table
- Specification sheet
- Pioneer® Quantum Ultra™ 16,000 BTU 20.5 SEER2 230V 8-Way Ceiling Cassette Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner Inverter Heat Pump Full Set official product-page technical table
- Last sourced date
- Aug 2, 2026
Retail purchase context
Some retailer links may earn us a commission at no extra cost; paid relationships never change scores or recommendations. Affiliate disclosure
Paid link
Check price at Pioneer
$1,849 / Fresh price - checked Aug 2, 2026
Installation considerations
ShowHide
- 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
- Pioneer full-set product page offers multiple no-kit and line-set variants; no single included line-set length applies to the certified system pair.
- Maximum line-set length
- Pioneer product pages in the cached collection did not publish a single maximum line-set length for these full-set variants.
- Max line set per indoor
- not published
- Max height between indoor units
- not published
- Indoor dimensions
- 22"-1/2 x 22"-1/2 x 9"-5/8 Inches[1]
- Outdoor dimensions
- 36"-1/2 x 15" x 27"-1/2 Inches[1]
- Indoor weight
- 32 lb[1]
- Outdoor weight
- 90.4 lb[1]
- Drain size
- not published
Related systems and guides
- More Pioneer systems
- Cooper & Hunter comparison model
- Senville 230 V option
- Pioneer 12k model
- Pioneer 230 V option
- Guide library
- Mini split buying guide
- Single-zone vs multi-zone mini splits
- Troubleshooting
- Do mini splits work in cold weather?
- Pioneer mini split review: is Pioneer any good?
- 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
- Pioneer mini split not cooling
- Mini split not heating
- Mini split indoor unit freezing up
- Mini split weak airflow
- One room won't heat or cool on a multi-zone mini split
- Line sets
- Line-set covers
Frequently asked questions
- Can I install the Pioneer Quantum Ultra 8-Way Ceiling Cassette 16,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CT018GLSILCFHG / YN018GLSI24RPG) myself, or do I need a pro?
- Pioneer Quantum Ultra 8-Way Ceiling Cassette 16,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CT018GLSILCFHG / YN018GLSI24RPG) 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 Pioneer Quantum Ultra 8-Way Ceiling Cassette 16,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CT018GLSILCFHG / YN018GLSI24RPG) keep heating in a cold winter?
- The manufacturer publishes 13,200 BTU/h of heating output at 5F. Rated heating operation extends down to -13 F. Certified heating efficiency is 8.5 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 Pioneer Quantum Ultra 8-Way Ceiling Cassette 16,000 BTU R-454B 208/230V (CT018GLSILCFHG / YN018GLSI24RPG) need?
- Published electrical requirements: 230 V voltage, 20 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 Pioneer product pages in the cached collection did not publish a single maximum line-set length for these full-set variants.. Longer runs than the included set allows typically mean added refrigerant and a pro visit, so measure the planned routing before ordering.
Data sources
ShowHide
- Pioneer / Parker Davis HVAC International, Inc.: Pioneer® Quantum Ultra™ 48,000 BTU 17 SEER2 230V Slim-Duct Ceiling Concealed Mini-Split Air Conditioner Inverter Heat Pump Full SetSourced - manufacturer product page
Covers Breaker needed, Frequency, Maximum breaker size, Maximum fuse size, Minimum circuit ampacity, Phase and more
- Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute: AHRI Active form-factor row 217048760Sourced - 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 218010994Sourced - Energy Star listing
Covers Energy Star status
Last updated
Aug 12, 2026