FUJITSU AIRSTAGE CENTAURI R32 and CENTAURI XLTH R32, 3 tons

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Comparison · Central heat pump · 3 tons

FUJITSU AIRSTAGE CENTAURI R32 and CENTAURI XLTH R32, figure by figure

Both systems share the same air handler, the AMUH36KUAS, and outdoor units with the same published dimensions. What changes is inside the outdoor unit: AOUH36KUAS1 for the CENTAURI, AOUH36KUAH1 for the CENTAURI XLTH. This page shows what that change gives, figure by figure.

Same air handler AMUH36KUAS · two outdoor units
HSPF2 V 7.8 and 8.2 Max. at −15 °C: 32,000 and 41,000 BTU/h Heating stated down to −21 °C and −26 °C
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE CENTAURI R32 (AirGreen image)
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE

CENTAURI R32 · 36,000 BTU

AMUH36KUAS / AOUH36KUAS1 · AHRI 217290596

See the product page
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE CENTAURI XLTH R32 (AirGreen image)
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE

CENTAURI XLTH R32 · 36,000 BTU

AMUH36KUAS / AOUH36KUAH1 · AHRI 217895717

See the product page
Estimated operating cost

What the electricity costs, in dollars, winter and summer

AirGreen estimate for the same 36,000 BTU/h (3-ton) house in Montréal, on Hydro-Québec Rate D, taxes included. Same air handler, two outdoor units: the whole gap comes from them. HSPF2 Region V of 7.8 for the CENTAURI and 8.2 for the CENTAURI XLTH, or about 5% more heating electricity for the CENTAURI for the same heat; SEER2 of 17.6 and 18.3, about 4% more in cooling. Both certificates give 36,000 BTU/h of cooling at 35 °C; electric baseboards serve as the reference.

How this amount is calculated
  1. Heat to supply over the winter. A house whose heat loss reaches 36,000 BTU/h ( kW) at −23.1 °C, the Montréal design temperature: kW × 24 h × 4,167 degree-days ÷ (18 − (−23.1)) = kWh of heat for round-the-clock heating, all winter. Heating degree-days (18 °C base) and design temperature: Natural Resources Canada, HOT2000 climate data, Montréal Intl station. With fewer hours a day (“Heating” slider), the heat is reduced in the same proportion, for the heat pump as for the baseboards: this simplification ignores the recovery after a temperature setback.
  2. Heating electricity. Heat pump: heat × 3.412 ÷ HSPF2 Region V, the AHRI certificate value published by NEEP. Region V is the coldest in the standard, and its calculation includes the electric backup heat expected when the heat pump is no longer enough. Electric baseboards: 1 kWh of electricity for 1 kWh of heat.
  3. Cooling electricity. 36,000 BTU/h ÷ SEER2 × hours a day × 60 days ÷ 1,000: the method of Hydro-Québec’s air-conditioning calculator, with the seasonal SEER2 efficiency from the AHRI certificate. The number of hours is a scenario, adjustable above from 1 to 24 h. At 24 h, the calculation assumes rated capacity all day long: that is a ceiling, since a variable-speed unit slows down once the room reaches its set temperature.
  4. Price. Hydro-Québec Rate D in effect April 1, 2026: 7.065¢ per kWh up to 40 kWh a day, 11.142¢ beyond; the average price, 9.104¢, is the one Hydro-Québec’s calculators use. GST and QST included. Grid access charges, the same with or without a heat pump, are not counted.

AirGreen method v1.1, November 9, 2026. An estimate is a way to compare units under the same conditions. The actual bill depends on the house, its insulation, the settings and how it is used; this amount is not a promise.

The two outdoor units

Same indoor unit, two outdoor units

From the front, the two outdoor units look alike, and FUJITSU AIRSTAGE gives them the same dimensions: 37 × 39 5/16 × 12 5/8 in. Pick a documented difference: the numbered points show where it sits, and the panel gives both published values.

FUJITSU AIRSTAGE outdoor unit AOUH36KUAS1 (image from the AirGreen product page)
CENTAURI · AOUH36KUAS1
FUJITSU AIRSTAGE outdoor unit AOUH36KUAH1
CENTAURI XLTH · AOUH36KUAH1

The documented differences

Photos: AirGreen product page (AOUH36KUAS1) and FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M (AOUH36KUAH1), at the same displayed width; the points are placed for illustration. Values: Centauri brochure FG8161D and technical manual DR_AR109ES_02 for the CENTAURI; submittal sheet 36KUAH1M for the CENTAURI XLTH; NEEP for certified values.

The certified curve

Same maximum capacity in mild weather, two curves in extreme cold

At 8.3 °C, NEEP certifies the same maximum capacity for both, 43,000 BTU/h. The colder it gets, the further the curves drift apart: at −15 °C, 32,000 BTU/h for the CENTAURI and 41,000 for the CENTAURI XLTH. Each point is certified; the lines connect the points of the same system.

Certified seasonal efficiencies

Same scale for both systems on each row.

Modulation range at 8.3 °C

From the certified minimum to the certified maximum capacity; yellow tick: the rated value.

Extreme cold

Below −15 °C: −20.6 °C for one, −26.1 °C for the other

NEEP measures both systems at the same temperatures down to −15 °C. Lower down, the CENTAURI is measured at −20.6 °C (−5 °F) and the CENTAURI XLTH at −26.1 °C (−15 °F). Each value is placed at its own temperature, with its source; nothing is calculated between two points.

What FUJITSU AIRSTAGE writes below −15 °C. CENTAURI (Centauri brochure FG8161D): heating stated down to −21 °C, “no shutoff device”; technical manual DR_AR109ES_02 gives 27,850 BTU/h at −20.6 °C (−5 °F), based on maximum capacity. CENTAURI XLTH (submittal sheet 36KUAH1M): heating stated down to −26 °C (−15 °F), more than 100% of heating capacity at −17.8 °C (0 °F) and 80% at −26.1 °C, without saying on what basis; no low-temperature cutoff. For both, no capacity is published below the stated range.
Documented features

What FUJITSU AIRSTAGE writes, line by line

The air handler is the same, and so are its features. The cards below separate what is shared from what changes with the outdoor unit.

Extreme cold and defrost

CENTAURI: heating stated down to −21 °C; no shutoff device.

CENTAURI XLTH: heating stated down to −26 °C; no low-temperature cutoff; built-in heated base pan.

Cooling in cold weather

CENTAURI: down to −21 °C outside, and up to 50 °C.

CENTAURI XLTH: down to −21 °C (−5 °F) outside, and up to 50 °C.

Fan and static pressure

Both: AMUH36KUAS air handler, Auto and four speeds (high, medium, low, quiet); external static pressure up to 0.8 in. w.c.; multi-position, downflow with kit.

Thermostat and control

Both: third-party 24 V thermostat through the UTY-TTRXZ1 interface; UTY-LBTUM IR kit and UTY-TFSXJ4 Wi-Fi (AIRSTAGE Mobile) optional; BACnet and Modbus.

Electric backup heat

Both: optional one- or two-stage electric heater kits (UTZ-EU series); automatic backup activation with a kit or a third-party source.

Refrigerant leak detection

Both: refrigerant leak sensor built into the air handler.

Modes and restart

Both: Economy mode, cold draft prevention, auto restart; weekly and 24-hour timer, sleep mode.

Outdoor unit electrical

CENTAURI: 25 A breaker.

CENTAURI XLTH: breaker max. 35 A (MCA 33.9 A).

Filter

Both: 20 × 20 in. filter base available as an option (86ET0001).

Sound

How loud each one is, per FUJITSU AIRSTAGE

With the same air handler, its published levels are the same too. Only the outdoor unit changes: 54 dB(A) in cooling and 56 in heating for the AOUH36KUAS1, 53 dB(A) in both modes for the AOUH36KUAH1.

dB(A)

How to read these figures. dB(A) measures a noise level as the ear perceives it: the lower the figure, the quieter the unit. What you hear indoors also depends on the ducts and on where the outdoor unit sits.

Same manufacturer, same conditions? Both documents come from FUJITSU AIRSTAGE; the CENTAURI XLTH submittal sheet specifies an anechoic chamber. A gap of one to three dB(A) is small to the ear.

Air handler AMUH36KUAS (both)

Cooling, published values

Outdoor unit, outside

Published sound pressure

Levels published by the manufacturer: read them as reference points, not as a ranking.

Installation

Same dimensions, different limits

Piping length between the two units

80 ft
covered by the factory prechargerefrigerant added, within the published limitoutside the published limits

The amount to add is calculated only for the CENTAURI XLTH (0.43 oz/ft, submittal sheet); for the CENTAURI, the rate is in the installation manual. The installer always follows the installation manual and the nameplate.

InstallationCENTAURICENTAURI XLTH
Maximum piping length164 ft246 ft
Minimum piping length16 ft17 ft
Precharged length66 ft98 ft
Maximum height difference98 ft98 ft
Liquid – gas diameters3/8 – 5/8 in3/8 – 5/8 in
Outdoor unit W × H × D37 × 39 5/16 × 12 5/8 in37 × 39 5/16 × 12 5/8 in
Outdoor unit weight62 kg (137 lb)159 lb
Indoor unit W × D × H, weight21 × 21 × 48 in, 137 lb21 × 21 × 48 in, 137 lb
Indoor airflow, high speed1,207 CFM1,200 CFM
Maximum external static pressure0.8 in. w.c.0.8 in. w.c.
Outdoor unit electrical protectionPer the manufacturer25 A breakerBreaker max. 35 A (MCA 33.9 A)
Stated heating / cooling range−21 to 24 °C / −21 to 50 °C−26 to 24 °C / −21 to 50 °C

Sources: FUJITSU AIRSTAGE Centauri brochure FG8161D (rev. 7/2025, French version) for the CENTAURI; FUJITSU AIRSTAGE submittal sheet 36KUAH1M (version 20260123A) for the CENTAURI XLTH. The brochure gives the air handler airflow in m³/h (2,050 at high speed), converted by FUJITSU AIRSTAGE to 1,207 CFM; the XLTH sheet prints 1,200.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask about these two versions

What changes between the CENTAURI and the CENTAURI XLTH?

The outdoor unit: AOUH36KUAS1 for the CENTAURI, AOUH36KUAH1 for the CENTAURI XLTH. The air handler is the same, the AMUH36KUAS. Per NEEP, maximum capacity at −15 °C goes from 32,000 to 41,000 BTU/h and HSPF2 Region V from 7.8 to 8.2.

Are both ENERGY STAR?

NEEP lists the CENTAURI XLTH as ENERGY STAR and cold climate. For the CENTAURI, NEEP shows cold climate but not ENERGY STAR, while the Centauri brochure FG8161D mentions ESCC and ESME. The page follows NEEP; program eligibility depends on the official list in effect on the purchase date.

How cold can they heat?

FUJITSU AIRSTAGE states −21 °C for the CENTAURI and −26 °C for the CENTAURI XLTH. Both documents say there is no low-temperature cutoff; no capacity is published below these ranges.

If I already have the AMUH36KUAS air handler, can I change the outdoor unit?

AHRI certificates are specific to each combination: AMUH36KUAS with AOUH36KUAS1 on one side, with AOUH36KUAH1 on the other. Compatibility with an existing installation is checked against the manufacturer’s manual and on site.

Why is the CENTAURI measured at −20.6 °C and the XLTH at −26.1 °C?

Each system is measured at the bottom of its stated range: −5 °F (−20.6 °C) for the CENTAURI, −15 °F (−26.1 °C) for the CENTAURI XLTH. The 27,850 and 32,000 BTU/h at those points therefore do not compare directly.

Are they eligible for rebates?

Eligibility depends on the official list in effect on the purchase date and on the exact combination installed; this page promises no amount.

Certified data

All AHRI and NEEP values

Certified valueCENTAURICENTAURI XLTH
Cooling
Rated capacity at 35 °C36,000 BTU/h36,000 BTU/h
SEER217.618.3
EER210.611.4
Heating, same conditions
HSPF2 Region IV / V9.8 / 7.810.2 / 8.2
8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h9,200 / 38,000 / 43,0009,200 / 38,000 / 43,000
8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max.4.15 / 3.50 / 2.953.80 / 3.89 / 3.28
−8.3 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h8,600 / 27,400 / 35,2008,300 / 25,200 / 41,600
−8.3 °C: COP min. / rated / max.4.07 / 2.85 / 2.403.86 / 2.90 / 2.25
−15 °C: min. / rated / max.BTU/h7,800 / 32,000 / 32,0007,900 / 41,000 / 41,000
−15 °C: COP min. / rated / max.3.69 / 2.18 / 2.183.86 / 1.98 / 1.98
Coldest point — different temperatures, not highlighted
Test temperature−20.6 °C (−5 °F)−26.1 °C (−15 °F)
Capacity min. / max.6,800 / 27,850 BTU/h6,000 / 32,000 BTU/h
COP at maximum capacity2.061.82
Listings and refrigerant
ENERGY STAR / cold climate (NEEP)No / YesYes / Yes
AHRI certificate · NEEP record217290596 · 375764217895717 · 306746
RefrigerantGWP per the IPCC (AR4); ASHRAE 34 classR-32 · GWP 675 · A2LR-32 · GWP 675 · A2L

higher marks the higher value of a given measure, under the same conditions. It is not a recommendation. Capacities and COPs by point are not highlighted: the order changes depending on the point read.

Both are on the AirGreen website.

To choose for your house, talk it over with our team: bring the heated area, the condition of your ducts, the planned outdoor spot and your current heating.

Sources and documents

Where each figure comes from