Mini Split 18,000 BTU Gree Vireo 24.5 SEER2 Heat Pump System VIR18HP230V1R32AO, VIR18HP230V1R32AH
Eighteen thousand BTU is where the Vireo R32 line gains real installation reach. The VIR18HP230V1R32AO condenser and VIR18HP230V1R32AH air handler jump to 131 feet of maximum pipe length and 82 feet of elevation difference — double the smaller models — while delivering 18,000 BTU/h of both cooling at 95°F and heating at 47°F at 24.5 SEER2, 13.7 EER2, and 9.0 HSPF2 with a 3.9 COP. The indoor head grows to 38-21/32 inches and 324–589 CFM with 3.80 pt/hr of moisture removal, and the outdoor unit adds a basepan electric heater for cold-weather defrost drainage. Wireless LCD remote and factory Wi-Fi included; 5-year parts and 7-year compressor warranty.
A Ton and a Half for Combined Living Space
This is the first Vireo capacity genuinely suited to spaces rather than rooms — a great room, a kitchen and dining area that flow together, a large finished basement, or a small commercial floor. The 324 to 589 CFM blower and 3.80 pt/hr dehumidification give it the throw and latent capacity to hold a large volume steady, and its 13.7 EER2 is the second highest in the series, so peak-summer operating cost stays low even at this size.
In larger spaces air distribution starts to matter as much as raw capacity. Mounting height, where the head sits relative to the room's long axis, furniture blocking the return path, and the location of major glazing all affect whether the space feels evenly conditioned. Cathedral and vaulted ceilings should be sized on volume rather than floor area. Electrically the system needs a two-pole 208-230V circuit at 11.5 A rated current in both modes, with a 16 A minimum circuit ampacity, 20 A maximum overcurrent protection, and a 15-amp suggested breaker.
Ideal for: Great rooms and combined kitchen-dining areas, large finished basements, open-plan lofts and apartments, small storefronts and salons, restaurant dining rooms, and installations where the condenser must sit far from or well below the indoor head.
Need more capacity? Step up to the 24,000 BTU Gree Vireo 26 SEER2 Heat Pump System, which is also the most efficient large system in the Vireo range.
Recommended applications are general guidelines only. Actual system requirements depend on insulation, room layout and air distribution, glazing, ceiling height, ambient conditions, ventilation, occupancy, and internal heat gain. Request free sizing assistance, contact Budget Heating, or call 813-885-7999.
What's Included
| Outdoor Condenser | VIR18HP230V1R32AO — 18,000 BTU Inverter Heat Pump Condenser |
|---|---|
| Indoor Air Handler | VIR18HP230V1R32AH Wall-Mount Ductless Air Handler |
| Application | Single-Zone Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump System |
| Refrigerant | R-32, 40.6 oz Factory Charge |
| Compressor | High-Efficiency DC Inverter, 5,118–22,178 BTU/h Cooling Range |
| Rated Capacity | 18,000 BTU/h Cooling @ 95°F / 18,000 BTU/h Heating @ 47°F |
| Efficiency | 24.5 SEER2 / 13.7 EER2 / 9.0 HSPF2 / 3.9 COP @ 47°F |
| Operating Range | Cooling -20°F to 122°F / Heating -22°F to 86°F |
| Maximum Line Length | 131 ft Pipe Length / 82 ft Elevation Difference |
| Electrical | 208-230V, Single Phase, 60 Hz — 16 A MCA, 15 A Suggested Breaker |
| Included Control | Wireless Remote with LCD Display; Factory-Installed Wi-Fi |
| Warranty | 5 Years Parts / 7 Years Compressor |
AHRI certification 215218911 covers this matched pair. The 94.8 lb condenser carries a 40.6 oz R-32 charge covering 25 feet of line set, adding 0.2 oz per foot beyond, with flare connections at 1/4 inch liquid and 1/2 inch gas. Supply voltage range is 187–253 VAC. The indoor cabinet measures 38-21/32 x 12-1/4 x 8-45/64 in. at 28.7 lb and runs 27 to 48 dB(A), so verify continuous wall width and clearances before ordering. A basepan with electric heater is included on the outdoor unit, and wired controller options are available alongside the included remote.
Condenser & Air Handler Features
VIR18HP230V1R32AO Outdoor Condenser
- 131 ft maximum pipe length with 82 ft of allowable elevation difference
- 13.7 EER2 — second highest peak-load efficiency in the Vireo R32 series
- 24.5 SEER2 seasonal cooling with 9.0 HSPF2 and a 3.9 COP at 47°F
- Wide inverter range from 5,118 to 22,178 BTU/h
- Rated heating operation to -22°F and cooling to 122°F
- Basepan with electric heater prevents defrost water from icing in the pan
- 40.6 oz R-32 factory charge, pre-charged for 25 feet of line set
- Low 0.2 oz per foot additional charge rate for long runs
- Intelligent defrosting and intelligent preheating
- Blue-colored fin coating tested to 500 hours salt spray; 94.8 lb net
VIR18HP230V1R32AH Wall-Mount Air Handler
- Larger 38-21/32 in. cabinet moving 324 to 589 CFM for open-plan coverage
- Included wireless LCD remote plus factory-installed Wi-Fi
- Seven fan speeds with a 27 to 48 dB(A) sound pressure range
- 3.80 pt/hr dehumidification with dedicated humidity control
- I-Feel function controls to the temperature sensed at the remote
- Quiet, Sleep, Turbo, and Energy Saving operating modes
- Horizontal auto swing and vertical auto swing louver control
- Auto-Clean function with dry anti-mildew X-Fan mode
- Composite drain pan; 28.7 lb net weight
- Memory and power-failure recovery restores prior settings automatically
Specifications & Manuals
Plan long runs against the submittal's piping and charge tables before ordering material. This capacity uses a 1/4" and 1/2" insulated copper line set, with lengths to 100 feet listed under ductless copper lines and kits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does maximum line length double at 18,000 BTU?
Larger compressors and higher refrigerant mass flow tolerate the pressure drop and oil return challenges of a longer circuit. Pipe length goes from 66 feet on the 9K and 12K models to 131 feet here, and elevation from 40 to 82 feet. That flexibility is often the reason this size gets specified even when 12,000 BTU would carry the load.
What does the basepan electric heater actually prevent?
During heating the outdoor coil frosts and then sheds meltwater during defrost. In sub-freezing weather that water can refreeze in the basepan, block the drain, and eventually build ice into the fan or coil. A basepan heater keeps the pan above freezing so the water drains away — a meaningful reliability feature for northern installations.
Is 13.7 EER2 better than the smaller Vireo models?
It is higher than the 12,000 BTU models at 13.0 but below the 9,000 BTU models at 15.0. EER2 describes full-load efficiency on a hot day, so at a ton and a half this is a strong figure — it means peak-summer operating cost stays competitive with much smaller equipment.
Does the wider indoor unit change where it can be mounted?
Yes. At 38-21/32 in. wide it needs noticeably more uninterrupted wall than the 32 in. heads, plus a mounting plate anchored into solid framing to carry 28.7 lb. Window trim, corners, and cabinetry frequently rule out an otherwise obvious wall — measure before committing, and check the submittal's clearances above and to each side.
Can this system be used above a garage or in a bonus room?
Those spaces are strong candidates because they typically have high heat gain through the roof and poor connection to the main ducted system. The 82 foot elevation allowance also means the condenser can stay at grade while the head serves an upper level. Insulating the floor over the garage and the knee walls will materially reduce the load.
What does the 0.2 oz per foot additional charge work out to on a long run?
The unit is pre-charged for 25 feet. A 100 foot run needs 75 additional feet at 0.2 oz, roughly 15 oz on top of the 40.6 oz factory charge. Weighing in that charge accurately matters — both undercharge and overcharge cost capacity and efficiency, so a scale rather than a gauge estimate is the right tool.
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