Mini Split 18,000 BTU Gree Vireo 21 SEER2 WiFi Heat Pump Ceiling Cassette System VIR18HP230V1R32AO, CAS18HP230V1R32AH
At 18,000 BTU/h this Gree single zone package is the largest capacity still built on the compact 22-inch cassette body, pairing the VIR18HP230V1R32AO Vireo condenser with the CAS18HP230V1R32AH 360° cassette and the GREETF05 grille. Rated 21 SEER2, it delivers 18,000 BTU/h of cooling and the same 18,000 BTU/h of heating at 47°F, with 12,600 BTU/h still available at 5°F. That combination of a small ceiling footprint and one and a half tons of output makes it the practical choice for open-plan rooms where a larger cassette simply will not fit the joist bay.
Is an 18,000 BTU Ceiling Cassette System the Right Size?
Eighteen thousand BTU generally serves somewhere around 600 to 800 square feet. This is the size range where rooms stop being single-purpose: a combined living and dining area, a classroom, a restaurant dining room section, a chiropractic suite, or a retail floor. The cassette's centered four-way discharge matters more at this footprint than it does in a small bedroom, because a wall-mounted head trying to cover 750 square feet from one end of the room leaves the far corner warm.
One trade-off is worth naming plainly. The 18K pairing is rated 21 SEER2 — the lowest efficiency in the Vireo half of this cassette line — because the smaller 22-inch cassette coil is being pushed harder to produce one and a half tons. If efficiency outweighs plenum depth in your project, the 24K package moves to a larger cassette and returns to 22.5 SEER2. If ceiling cavity is the constraint, the 18K is the most capacity available in this cabinet size. Insulation, glazing, ceiling height, occupancy, and equipment load all shift the final number.
Ideal for: Open living and dining areas, classrooms, small restaurant dining sections, retail floors, chiropractic and treatment suites, church fellowship rooms, and workshop or garage bays around 600 to 800 square feet.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 24,000 BTU Gree Vireo 22.5 SEER2 Ceiling Cassette System, which uses the larger 33-inch cassette and supports refrigerant runs up to 131 feet. The full 15K - 24K BTU single zone lineup is also available.
Recommended room sizes are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, ceiling height, window area, ambient conditions, occupancy, and internal heat loads. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Condenser | VIR18HP230V1R32AO — 18,000 BTU Vireo R32 Inverter Heat Pump |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | CAS18HP230V1R32AH 360° Four-Way Ceiling Cassette |
| Decorative Grille | GREETF05 — Included with This System |
| Controls Included | Wireless LCD Remote and XE72-44/E Wired Wall Controller |
| WiFi | Factory Installed in Condenser |
| Efficiency | 21.0 SEER2 / 10.9 EER2 / 9.0 HSPF2 |
| Rated Cooling | 18,000 BTU/h at 95°F • Modulates 5,118 - 19,790 |
| Rated Heating | 18,000 BTU/h at 47°F • 14,700 at 17°F • 12,600 at 5°F |
| Refrigerant | R-32 with Factory Refrigerant Sensor |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz • MCA 16A • MOCP 20A |
| Line Set (Liquid - Gas) | 1/4" - 1/2" Flared |
| Line Length / Elevation | Up to 66 ft • 40 ft Maximum Rise |
| Cassette Dimensions | 22-7/16" x 22-7/16" x 10-7/16" • 37.5 lbs |
| Condenser Weight | 94.8 lbs Net • 59 dB(A) Sound Level |
| AHRI Certificate | 215417457 |
The 18K keeps the same 22-7/16 inch cassette body as the 9K and 12K, so an existing rough opening carries straight over if a room is being upgraded. Outdoors, the VIR18HP230V1R32AO is a noticeably heavier machine at 94.8 pounds and steps up to a 20A maximum overcurrent protection circuit and a 1/2 inch gas line. Grille, wireless remote, wired controller, and WiFi are all included.
Condenser & Cassette Feature Set
VIR18HP230V1R32AO Vireo R32 Condenser
- DC inverter compressor spanning 5,118 to 19,790 BTU/h of cooling
- 12,600 BTU/h of heating still available at 5°F outdoor ambient
- Heating operation rated down to -22°F ambient
- Cooling operation rated to 122°F ambient for hot climates
- Factory-installed WiFi — no aftermarket adapter to wire in
- MCA 16A on a 20A maximum overcurrent protection circuit
- 59 dB(A) sound level at 94.8 lbs net weight
- Automatic voltage adaptation with low-voltage startup protection
- Blue-coated fins validated to 500 hours of salt spray exposure
- R-32 refrigerant with lower global warming potential than R-410A
CAS18HP230V1R32AH 360° Ceiling Cassette
- 206 to 383 CFM airflow — the widest range on the 22-inch cabinet
- 28 to 44 dB(A) indoor sound across the fan range
- 3.80 pints per hour of dehumidification
- Four-way 360° discharge reaches the corners of open-plan rooms
- Internal condensate drain pump with Sentry float switch
- Swing louver control with vertical auto-swing
- Drops into the same ceiling opening as the 9K and 12K cassettes
- Auto-clean function dries the coil to discourage odors
- Wireless LCD remote and XE72-44/E wired controller both included
- GREETF05 decorative grille supplied with the system
Specifications & Manuals
Reference the Vireo R32 installation instructions for line set routing, electrical sizing, and charge adjustment, and the cassette service manual for error code diagnostics and drain pump servicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 18,000 BTU enough for an open living and dining area?
In many homes yes, with a general guideline of 600 to 800 square feet. Open-plan spaces are where the cassette's four-way discharge pays off, but if the area includes a kitchen cooking load or a wall of west-facing glass, have the load calculated before committing.
Why is the 18K system rated 21 SEER2 when the 9K reaches 24?
The 18K uses the same 22-7/16 inch cassette coil as the smaller sizes while producing one and a half tons, so the indoor coil works harder for its output. The 24K package moves to the larger 33-inch cassette and returns to 22.5 SEER2.
What electrical circuit does the VIR18HP230V1R32AO require?
It is a 208-230V single phase 60 Hz unit with a minimum circuit ampacity of 16A and maximum overcurrent protection of 20A. Confirm wire sizing against the installation instructions and local code for your specific run length.
How much airflow does the CAS18HP230V1R32AH deliver?
206 to 383 CFM from low to turbo speed, the broadest range of any cassette on this cabinet size. Indoor sound tracks that range at 28 to 44 dB(A).
Can the wired wall controller be used instead of the handheld remote?
Yes. The XE72-44/E wired controller is included and can serve as the primary interface, which is the usual choice in classrooms, retail spaces, and rentals where a loose handheld remote tends to disappear.
Does the 18K cassette use the same ceiling opening as the 12K?
Yes. The 9K, 12K and 18K cassettes share the 22-7/16 inch square by 10-7/16 inch deep body and the GREETF05 grille, so the rough opening and plenum requirement are identical across all three.
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